As the anti-racism protests sparked across the USA the world took notice. All around the globe people started marching in solidarity with the US Black Lives Matter movement. One of the countries which showed the most support is the UK, with thousands of people showing up to the gatherings in cities of London, Bristol, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and others. However, out of all them, Bristol gained the most attention recently. On Sunday 10,000 protestors have joined the cause in Bristol and made a powerful statement by pulling down a bronze statue of a well-known 17th-Century slave trader Edward Colston.
Recently, anti-racism protestors in Bristol made a splash by taking down the statue of a slave trader and trowing in the harbor
The statue was erected in 1895 to honor Colston’s philanthropic work towards people in the city. However, back in the day, he was a well-known slave trader who amassed a large percentage of his wealth through the exploitation of African people. He was the most senior executive of the Royal African Company, which transported about 100,000 people from Africa to the Americas.
Image credits: John Cassidy
Even though there were earlier attempts to take down the controversial statue, there were no plans arranged, up until the protesters decided to take matters into their own hands. On Sunday, they toppled the 18-foot bronze statue from its pedestal using ropes.
The moment #BlackLivesMattterUK pulled down the statue of merchant slave trader Edward Colston in #Bristol
Epic. pic.twitter.com/fU0BToyLNI
— Sam (@SamuelLiddell) June 7, 2020
A protestor was pictured with his knee on the figure’s neck-reacting the restraining of George Floyd. The statue was later dragged through the streets and thrown into the harbor.
— uwu colston (@boringdystopian) June 7, 2020
Image credits: SocialPolicy
The act has gained a lot of momentum. Some celebrated removing the symbol of Britain’s racist past, others chose to condemn the protestors who took part in it. The Wikipedia page of Edward Colston statue has received an update on its condition: “Drowning in Bristol Harbour where he belongs” which was later changed to “Figure toppled, damaged and removed, and plinth defaced by demonstrators.”
Image credits: CorbynistaTeen
However, some of those who disapproved of the toppling of the statue actually tried to retrieve it from water although with no success.
Image credits: CorbynistaTeen
Image credits: CorbynistaTeen
Someone even took the time to update its new location on Google maps.
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Meanwhile, the British government took the stance by denouncing the toppling of the statue. After the incident, the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson said those who attack public property “will face the full force of the law”. However, the removal of the statue was long supported by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, who is of Jamaican heritage. While the mayor said he “cannot condone the damage”, he described the action as an “iconic moment”.
Here’s what people had to say about protesters’ actions
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Some of the internet users weren’t happy to hear such news
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While others were cheering the protesters
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