Moment Black Lives Matter protesters tear down statue of 17th century slave trader
Black Lives Matter protesters tear down Bristol statue of 17th century slave trader and philanthropist Edward Colston, cover it in red paint and and throw it in dock – while huge crowds descend on in London where Churchill’s statue is defaced
- Crowds have gathered across Britain as protests continue following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis
- Groups of demonstrators seemed to ignore social distancing measures in London, Bristol and Edinburgh
- Protesters in Bristol have now torn down a controversial statue to 17th century slave trader Edward Colston
- Labour MPs voice their support for protesters via Twitter, while Sajid Javid declares ‘This is not OK’
- Clash in Whitehall sees police and protesters lying on the floor as fireworks are thrown onto the ground
- A statue of Winston Churchill has been defaced with the words ‘was a racist’ in Parliament Square, London
By Henry Martin and Luke Andrews For Mailonline
Published: 11:16 EDT, 7 June 2020 | Updated: 16:13 EDT, 7 June 2020
Black Lives Matter protesters have torn down a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol and dumped it in the harbour – as demonstrations continue to sweep Britain following the death of George Floyd in America.
Footage shows demonstrators, packed closely together – despite social distancing guidelines, heaving the metal monument down with ropes before cheering and dancing around it, with many placing their knees on the fallen statue as it lay on the ground.
The statue, which had been in place since 1895, has been a subject of controversy in recent years. The most recent petition to remove it garnered more than 11,000 signatures.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has condemned protesters’ decision to force it down today, declaring on Twitter: ‘This is not OK’. Home Secretary Priti Patel branded the act as ‘utterly disgraceful’.
Along with the tobacco trade, Colston’s wealth helped to develop Bristol in the 17th century. He used a lot of his riches, accrued from his extensive slave trading, to build schools and almshouses in his home city.
An estimated 10,000 protesters had gathered in Bristol today to march through the city. Avon and Somerset police have said that although the protests are a breach in lockdown regulations, they understand why people want to gather.
Speaking after the demonstration, superintendent Andy Bennett vowed there would be an investigation into the ‘act of criminal damage,’ near Bristol Harbourside, where slave ships once docked centuries ago.
Protesters and police in London have clashed in Whitehall, with fireworks being thrown on the ground and one officer being treated for what appeared to be a cut to the face.
Witnesses claim police have been attacked with bottles and traffic cones, while footage shows some protesters trying to calm the crowds.
In Parliament Square nearby, a statue of Winston Churchill was defaced, with the words ‘was a racist’ written under the wartime prime minister’s name.
Across the country the crowds have been seen marching close together – despite repeated warnings for the public to avoid protests and obey social distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Protesters tied ropes around the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol city centre, before tearing it to the ground on Sunday
Protesters in Bristol were heard laughing and cheering as the statue of the slave trader was toppled by demonstrators
Shocked protesters watched the statue fall, before it was then dragged to Bristol Harbourside and dumped into the water
Once the statue was on the ground, protesters began to pose next to it, placing their knees on its neck in protest over the death of George Floyd
A protester stands atop the fallen statue of Bristol-born English merchant, philanthropist, slave trader, and Member of Parliament Edward Colston
An estimated 10,000 protesters had gathered in Bristol today to march through the city to protest against racism and discrimination. Avon and Somerset police have said that although the protests are a breach in lockdown regulations, they understand why people want to gather
The statue was then rolled by protesters towards Bristol Harbourside, where slave ships would have once docked
Graffiti covered the statue to Edward Colston, a slave trader who invested his money back into the town of Bristol. He has become a controversial figure in the city, with thousands previously calling for the statue to be removed peacefully
After years of controversy, protesters took matter into their own hands by tearing down the statue of Edward Colston and throwing it into Bristol harbour
Protesters cheered as they forced a monument into the water at Bristol Harbourside. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the actions of protesters were ‘utterly disgraceful’
After pulling the monument to one of Bristol’s most famous sons to the ground, protesters dropped it in the city’s harbour
Crowds packed side by side, with no room for social distancing, at Bristol’s harbour this afternoon to watch the statue as it was thrown into the water
Having torn the monument down, demonstrators plunged the statue into the waters at Bristol harbour, cheered on by thousands
A statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, London, was defaced on Sunday afternoon by Black Lives Matter protesters. A sign declaring ‘Black Lives Matter’ was also stuck to the statue of the wartime prime minister
Protesters raised their fists and took a knee in front of the defaced Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square, London today
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has condemned the removal of the Colston statue, writing: ‘I grew up in Bristol. I detest how Edward Colston profited from the slave trade. But, THIS IS NOT OK. If Bristolians wants to remove a monument it should be done democratically – not by criminal damage.’
PROTESTERS CLOSE M6 CARRIAGEWAY BY MARCHING IN ROAD
The M6 has been closed in the Midlands as Black Lives Matter protesters walk down the carriageway.
The M6 has been closed as Black Lives Matter protesters march on the carriageway
A video posted on social media shows crowds of people covering the motorway near Birmingham as traffic remains stationary on the other side.
Many on the motorway going the other way got out of their cars to watch the protests.
A helicopter was also seen overhead.
One person commented on the video: ‘Unbelievable’ as another said ‘How was this allowed to happen?’
Warwickshire police urged motorists to avoid the area amid reports of ‘pedestrian protesters’ on the southbound carriageway.
They tweeted: ‘We are receiving reports of pedestrian protesters at junction 3 of the M6 in the southbound carriageway.
‘Southbound is now currently closed.
‘Please seek alternative routes and be wary if you are traveling on the M6.’
Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage wrote: ‘If Boris Johnson won’t lead and stand up for the country, as its symbols are trashed, then people will start taking it into their own hands. Full on race riots are now possible. Show leadership and fast.’
Home Secretary Priti Patel told Sky News said: ‘I think that is utterly disgraceful. That speaks to the acts of public disorder that actually have become a distraction from the cause that people are actually protesting.
‘Sheer vandalism and disorder is completely unacceptable and its right the police follow up on that and make sure justice is undertaken.’
Responding to Ms Patel’s comments, ex-England footballer Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘It’s utterly disgraceful that a statue to a slaver survived as long as it did.’
Labour MPs have tweeted in solidarity with protesters who pulled down the statue.
Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, wrote: ‘If statues of confederates who fought a war for slavery & white supremacy shld come down then why not this one?
‘Someone responsible for immeasurable blood & suffering. We’ll never solve structural racism till we get to grips with our history in all its complexity.’
Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, quote-tweeted a video of the statue being thrown into the harbour, captioning her post with a clenched fist emoji and the words ‘This caused me to exhale’.
Westworld and Casino Royale actor Jeffrey Wright wrote: ‘Gorgeous. F*** him. Imagine the human beings who met a similar fate during the middle passage…like 19,300 of the 84,500+ African men, women & children purchased, branded and forced onto Royal African Company (his company) ships from 1680-1692.’
Bishop of Bristol Viv Faul wrote: ‘After today’s march for justice for black people and the fall of the statue of Colston, let’s repent of the evils of our slave trading past, the racism of so many years and the institutional oppression which is still so powerful and let’s build Bristol as a city of hope for all.’
After today’s march for justice for black people and the fall of the statue of Colston, let’s repent of the evils of our slave trading past, the racism of so many years and the institutional oppression which is still so powerful and let’s build Bristol as a city of hope for all.
Labour peer Andrew Adonis tweeted: ‘I hope no action is taken against those who removed mass slave trader Edward Colston’s statue. This should have happened decades ago. His name has been removed from other monuments in Bristol. No way should we be celebrating slave traders today.’
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga said one of the main problems the statue caused was that people did not understand why it was a source of upset for many in the city.
‘This is a city that is about 14% BAME with a statue of somebody who was not just a slave trader, he was involved in the Royal Africa Company, the company that trafficked more people into slavery than any in British history,’ he told BBC News.
BLM protesters in Bristol city centre. The Edward Colston statue has been pulled down by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters
BLM protesters in Bristol city centre. The Edward Colston statue has been pulled down by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters in Bristol. Colston was a 17th century slave trader who has numerous landmarks named after him
London: Protesters hold placards as they attend a demonstration outside the US Embassy in London on June 7, organised to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement
‘The fact that it has not been seen as a problem for such a long time, that so many people are confused as to why the statue offends and upsets so many people, has been the problem.’
Protests in the US have seen Confederate statues toppled or removed during recent protests. Among the monuments to be torn down was a 129-year-old statue of Confederate General Williams Carter Wickham, which was removed on Saturday.
Supt Bennett said: ‘The Black Lives Matter demonstration in Bristol today was attended by an estimated 10,000 people.
‘The vast majority of those who came to voice their concerns about racial inequality and injustice did so peacefully and respectfully.
‘The ongoing coronavirus pandemic added a different dynamic to what was always going to be a challenging policing operation.
‘And I’d like to thank the organisers for their efforts to encourage demonstrators to follow Government guidance – a message which many clearly took on board, doing their best to socially distance despite the large crowds.
‘Keeping the public safe was our greatest priority and thankfully there were no instances of disorder and no arrests were made.
‘However, there was a small group of people who clearly committed an act of criminal damage in pulling down a statue near Bristol Harbourside.
DUTCH LGBT GROUP HOLDS SOCIALLY-DISTANCED RALLY
An LGBT group in Zwolle, Netherlands, held its own rally in memory of George Floyd today.
Protesters in Zwolle, North East Netherlands, held a rally on Sunday
Unlike scenes in London and Bristol, Dutch protesters were able to make their voices heard while complying with their country’s social distancing rules.
Protesters were seen wearing face masks and keeping up to two metres apart, while also holding up signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and calling for justice over the death of George Floyd.
Protests in Glasgow were also held at a safe distance on Sunday, while elsewhere crowds packed together with only some opting to wear face masks.
‘An investigation will be carried out to identify those involved and we’re already collating footage of the incident.
‘I’d like to thank our partners at Bristol City Council for helping us to ensure this was a safe event for all who attended.’
Colston donated money to causes in and around Bristol before his death in 1721 – including to the city’s churches, founded almshouses, Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School, and founding a religious school for boys.
According to Historic England, his involvement in the slave trade was the source of much of the money which he bestowed in the city.
Campaign group Countering Colston has called for an end to Bristol ‘publicly celebrating’ the controversial figure, and for the city to recognise the ‘true history of transatlantic slavery, colonialism and exploitation’.
An 11,000-strong petition said the statue of Colston had ‘no place’ in Bristol’s ‘beloved’ city centre.
In a victory for campaigners, Colston Hall – Bristol’s largest concert hall – announced in 2017 it would be re-branding, while a school formerly known as Colston’s Primary School was renamed last year.
Protests across the country showed little room for social distancing, though some protesters were wearing masks as they took to the streets this weekend. In Glasgow protesters kept their distance as they clapped during a demonstration.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it is ‘undoubtedly a risk’ that there will be an increase in coronavirus cases following the protests.
He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday he supported the protesters’ arguments, but urged: ‘Please don’t gather in groups of more than six people because there is also a pandemic that we must address and control.
Fireworks were let off as police tried to control a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Whitehall, London on Sunday evening
Police medics were out treating officers after clashes with protesters in Whitehall, London on Sunday afternoon
Black Lives Matter protesters waved flags and signs in Parliament Square during the latest day of demonstrations since the death of George Floyd in the US
Demonstrators climbed onto buildings in Whitehall as protests filled the streets of London and other major cities on Sunday
Outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall, Black Lives Matter protesters gathered and waved signs
Grime artist Stormzy was at the protest rally in Parliament Square on Sunday afternoon, joined by thousands of other protesters
Police were wielding batons as they handled crowds in Whitehall, while protests took place up and down the country
Edinburgh: Black Lives Matter protest in Holyrood Park, despite a call by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and others to find other forms of protest because of lockdown rules and coronavirus fears
‘And so we’ve got to make the argument, we’ve got to make further progress, on top of the significant progress that has been made in recent years, but we’ve got to do it in a way that’s safe and controls the virus.’
Today’s protests are the latest in a series of rallies in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis.
Earlier the M6 was closed as protesters walked down the carriageway.
One eyewitness said there were around 100 people taking part and that they were chanting ‘Black Lives Matter’ over and over again.
Many on the motorway going the other way got out of their cars to watch the protests which began at around 5pm.
Protesters were out in central London, above, as well as other major cities in Britain on Sunday to continue Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd in the US
Police detained one masks protester near Downing Street during today’s Black Lives Matter demonstration in London
Crowds were packed outside Downing Street on Sunday evening as Black Lives Matter protests took place across Britain
Police and protesters were packed around Whitehall on Sunday, some wore face masks but few were able to keep two metres apart to try and prevent the spread of Covid-19
Clashes in Whitehall saw police pushing protesters away on Sunday after a day of Black Lives Matter demonstrations
Police and demonstrators clashed in Whitehall this afternoon after thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters arrived in London
Police armed with batons attempted to push back protesters in Whitehall on Sunday after officers clashed with demonstrators
Protesters were also seen lying on the ground after the Black Lives Matter demonstration headed to Whitehall, London
One motorist said the crowd blocked off the road with cones before police arrived on scene to manage the traffic.
Yesterday a police officer suffered a broken collar bone, broken ribs and a collapsed lung after falling from a horse at a London protest.
The mounted officer is still receiving treatment in hospital but is likely to be off duty for four months while she recovers, the Metropolitan Police Federation revealed.
She was flung violently into traffic lights outside Downing Street in central London after a protester hurled a bike and other missiles at her horse, causing the animal to bolt riderless back down Whitehall.
Federation Chairman Ken Marsh the officer thrown from the horse is ‘a hero’.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has said assaults on officers at an anti-racism rally were ‘shocking and completely unacceptable’ ahead of more demonstrations planned across the UK for today.
She said 14 officers were injured during clashes with a minority of protesters in central London on Saturday following a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration.
Edward Colston: Slave trader, philanthropist and a son of Bristol
The Edward Colston statue in Bristol was pulled down by demonstrators on Sunday
Edward Colston was born to a wealthy merchant family in Bristol, 1636.
After working as an apprentice at a livery company he began to explore the shipping industry and started up his own business.
He later joined the Royal African Company and rose up the ranks to Deputy Governor.
The Company had complete control of Britain’s slave trade, as well as its gold and Ivory business, with Africa and the forts on the coast of west Africa.
During his tenure at the Company his ships transported around 80,000 slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and America.
Around 20,000 of them, including around 3,000 or more children, died during the journeys.
During Colston’s life, slavery was being actively encouraged by King Charles II, with many European countries taking part in the trade.
Colston’s brother Thomas supplied the glass beads that were used to buy the slaves.
Colston became the Conservative MP for Bristol in 1710 but stood only for one term, due to old age and ill health.
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga said one of the main problems the statue caused was that people did not understand why it was a source of upset for many in the city.
‘This is a city that is about 14% BAME with a statue of somebody who was not just a slave trader, he was involved in the Royal Africa Company, the company that trafficked more people into slavery than any in British history,’ he told BBC News.
‘The fact that it has not been seen as a problem for such a long time, that so many people are confused as to why the statue offends and upsets so many people, has been the problem.’
Colston donated money to causes in and around Bristol before his death in 1721 – including to the city’s churches, founded almshouses, Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School, and founding a religious school for boys.
According to Historic England, his involvement in the slave trade was the source of much of the money which he bestowed in the city.
Due to his philanthropy, Colston’s legacy has been honoured by the city he once called home, where streets, memorials and buildings bear his name.
An inscription on the statue, which was built in 1895, read: ‘Erected by citizens of Bristol as a memorial of one of the most virtuous and wise sons of their city.’
Following Colston’s death in the 18th century, he was described as ‘the brightest example of Christian liberality that this age has produced’.
His charitable efforts helped inspire philanthropists in future generations, today the Dolphin Society provides help to vulnerable and elderly people who wish to remain independent.
The society says it is ‘seeking to emulate the charitable endeavours of Edward Colston,’ but distances itself from the ‘evils of slavery, both in the days of Colston and in the appalling levels of modern day slavery’.
A statue was erected in his honour as well as other buildings named after him, including Colston Hall.
Campaign group Countering Colston has called for an end to Bristol ‘publicly celebrating’ the controversial figure, and for the city to recognise the ‘true history of transatlantic slavery, colonialism and exploitation’.
An 11,000-strong petition said the statue of Colston had ‘no place’ in Bristol’s ‘beloved’ city centre.
In a victory for campaigners, Colston Hall – Bristol’s largest concert hall – announced in 2017 it would be re-branding, while a school formerly known as Colston’s Primary School was renamed last year.
While statues were defaced or torn down, signs were also placed on monuments to the likes of Nelson Mandela, who helped end apartheid in South Africa
Protesters were in Parliament Square, London, on Sunday afternoon as Black Lives Matter demonstrations continue to take place across Britain
Signs were placed around a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square on Sunday, a statue of Winston Churchill had the words ‘was a racist’ scrawled underneath
Edinburgh: Black Lives Matter protest in Holyrood Park, despite a call by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and others to find other forms of protest because of lockdown rules and coronavirus fears, June 7
Middlesbrough: People take a knee as they demonstrate during a protest in Middlesbrough town centre to show support for George Floyd on June 7
Glasgow: Thousands of people defy the coronavirus lockdown order to take part in the demonstration held to condemn the killing of George Floyd
Edinburgh: A man kneels during a Black Lives Matter protest in Edinburgh today, following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis
Bristol: People take part in a Black Lives Matter protest rally in College Green, Bristol, in memory of George Floyd who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis
Manchester: Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it is ‘undoubtedly a risk’ that there will be an increase in coronavirus cases following protests
Middlesbrough: Protesters kneel in Middlesbrough, Teesside today outside the Mima Art Gallery, Central Square
Middlesbrough: Demonstrators hold signs saying ‘black lives matter’ and ‘defund the white system’ in Teesside today
The force said 14 people had been arrested after tensions escalated while Dame Cressida said in a statement that there was ‘no place for violence’ in the capital.
‘I am deeply saddened and depressed that a minority of protesters became violent towards officers in central London yesterday evening,’ Dame Cressida said.
‘This led to 14 officers being injured, in addition to 13 hurt in earlier protests this week.
‘We have made a number of arrests and justice will follow. The number of assaults is shocking and completely unacceptable.
‘I know many who were seeking to make their voices heard will be as appalled as I am by those scenes. There is no place for violence in our city.
‘Officers displayed extreme patience and professionalism throughout a long and difficult day, and I thank them for that.’
Sadiq Khan said that while the majority of protesters were peaceful, pockets of violence was ‘simply not acceptable’.
DOWN WITH HISTORY: FROM SADDAM TO STALIN HOW STATUES HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY PROTESTERS
Some of history’s greatest protests have been defined by the iconic images of monuments to dictators falling.
Saddam Hussein
US Troops and Iraqi citizens tore down a statue of Saddam Hussein in 2003
On April 9 2003, a statue of the Iraqi dictator was torn down in Firdos Square, Baghdad.
US troops joined locals in tearing down the statue, which had been erected a year before to commemorate the dictator’s birthday.
It is arguably one of the most iconic images of the war in Iraq.
Josef Stalin
Hungarians celebrate after tearing down a statue of Josef Stalin Budapest, 1956
Erected in 1951 as a ‘gift’ to Stalin from Hungarians, it was torn down five years later by angry crowds.
Its toppling by anti-Soviet Hungarians came amid the country’s October Revolution.
Around 200,000 Hungarians are thought to have taken part in protests at Budapest’s national park, where the statue was toppled and destroyed.
Vladmir Lenin
An anti-government protester beats the statue of Vladimir Lenin in Kiev, Ukraine, in December 2013
Hundreds of monuments to the first leader of the USSR were torn down and destroyed in Ukraine during civil unrest across 2013 and 2014.
The Ukrainian Week estimated more than 300 monuments were removed or destroyed in February 2014 alone.
Statues of Lenin have been torn down elsewhere in the world too, including in Ethiopia in 1991, days after the East African country’s pro-Communist leader Mengistu Haile Mariam was exiled.
Bristol: A woman wears a #BML face mask at a demonstration in College Green, Bristol, in memory of George Floyd
Middlesbrough: A peaceful protest in Middlesbrough, Teesside today outside of Mima Art Gallery, Central Square
In a statement, the London Mayor said: ‘I stand with you and share your anger and pain. George Floyd’s brutal killing must lead to immediate and lasting change in countries, cities, police services and institutions everywhere. We must root out racism wherever it is found.
‘The vast majority of protesters in London were peaceful. But this vital cause was badly let down by a tiny minority who turned violent and threw glass bottles and lit flares, endangering other protesters and injuring police officers.
‘This is simply not acceptable, will not be tolerated and will not win the lasting and necessary change we desperately need to see.’
Dame Cressida urged protesters to find ‘another way’ of making their voices heard, rather than descending on the capital’s streets amid the coronavirus crisis.
‘I would urge protesters to please find another way to make your views heard which does not involve coming out on the streets of London, risking yourself, your families and officers as we continue to face this deadly virus,’ she said.
Police were out in significant numbers for the marches through London on Saturday, including outside the US Embassy, in protest against police brutality following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Demonstrations were carried out peacefully for much of the afternoon but disturbances began breaking out at around 6pm outside Downing Street.
Workmen cleaning graffiti in Parliament Square, in the aftermath of a Black Lives Matter protest rally in memory of George Floyd
A sign reading Hate Kills, Love Heals hung around the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Parliament Square, in the aftermath of a Black Lives Matter protest rally in memory of George Floyd
People gesture during a Black Lives Matter protest in Edinburgh, following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis
Scuffles broke out when objects were thrown towards officers wearing protective gear, with mounted police called in to drive some of the demonstrators back along Whitehall.
Video footage appeared to show an officer colliding with a traffic light before their horse ran through a crowd of protesters, sending them scattering.
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed a female officer fell from the horse and had been taken to hospital. Her injuries are not life-threatening.
Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said the officer had ‘quite nasty’ injuries, telling BBC Breakfast: ‘She’s stable – she has some quite nasty injuries which she sustained. And the horse is fine.’
He added: ‘I think my colleagues – as always – were absolute heroes… the abuse they took. They tried to facilitate the public behaviour… I had nothing but pride in what I saw. It was horrendous seeing my colleagues being injured.’
Photographs showed the officer being treated at the scene as she lay injured on the pavement, while other images showed bikes being thrown at horses.
Officers are ‘investigating the full circumstances’ of the officer’s fall but the force said the horse made its own way back to its stables nearby.
Elsewhere on Saturday, boxing heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua used crutches to join people on a peaceful protest in his home town of Watford.
Many people wore face masks and social-distancing measures were encouraged during events in Manchester, Cardiff, Sheffield and Newcastle, among other cities.
