Why Did People Take Down Edward Colston Statue?

In a series of racial reckoning protests in Britain that took place in solidarity with those across the Atlantic dealing with issues of police brutality and systemic racism, demonstrators in Bristol used rope to tug the Colston statue from its stone base.

Why was Edward Colston’s statue pulled down?

Toppling a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was an “unacceptable way to engage in political debate“, the Court of Appeal has been told. The bronze memorial to the 17th-Century slave merchant was torn down during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol.

Who pulled down Edward Colston statue?

Jake Skuse 33, Rhian Graham, 30, Milo Ponsford, 26, and Sage Willoughby, 22, did not dispute the roles they had played in pulling down the statue and throwing it into Bristol harbour during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest but all denied criminal damage.

When did the Colston statue get pulled down?

7 June 2020
Edward Colston statue: Black Lives Matter protesters found not guilty of criminal damage after toppling monument of slave trader. The statue of the 17th century slave merchant was pulled down on 7 June 2020 following a Black Lives Matter march, before being rolled into Bristol harbour.

Why were the Colston 4 cleared?

In particular, they asserted that they had used reasonable force to prevent a crime, on the basis that the ongoing display of the statue with its plaque constituted the display of indecent material contrary to the Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981.

Why did they take down Queen Elizabeth statue?

The statues of two British monarchs — Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II — were pulled down on Canada Day during demonstrations surrounding the Indigenous children who lost their lives at residential schools.

Who pulled down the statue and why?

The Mayor decided to pull down the statue because the statue had become ugly. Was this answer helpful?

What did the Colston 4 do?

The acquittal by a jury of four people at Bristol Crown Court this week for their role in pulling down the statue of Edward Colston and dumping it in the docks has been greeted with a chorus of outrage by members of parliament.

What were the Colston 4 charged with?

The “Colston Four” were charged with criminal damage. Under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, defendants charged with destroying or harming property can argue they had a “lawful excuse” for their actions.

What is the Colston Hall now called?

Bristol Beacon
Bristol Beacon, previously known as Colston Hall, is a concert hall and Grade II listed building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. It is owned by Bristol City Council. Since 2011, management of the hall has been the direct responsibility of Bristol Music Trust.

How were the Colston 4 found not guilty?

On Wednesday, three men and a woman who helped pull down a monument to the slave trader Edward Colston at a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest were found not guilty by a jury after they successfully argued they had a lawful excuse.

Who are the Colston for?

The Colston Four are Rhian Graham, 30, Milo Ponsford, 26, Sage Willoughby, 22 and Jake Skuse, 23.

How much is Colston statue worth?

One of those cleared of criminal damage after the artwork was pulled down tells Sky News its value has increased from £6,000 to about £300,000. The toppled Edward Colston statue could now be worth as much as £300,000 – 50 times higher than its value before it was pulled down.

Who were the Colston 4?

Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby, and Jake Skuse were cleared of pulling down a statue to the 17th Century slave trader in Bristol.

Why did the Queen have a black thing on her hat?

In a sweet tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, the royal added a black mourning pin to her green hat, which she wore front and centre of her vibrant green outfit. Mourning pins are traditionally worn by members of the royal family following a death.

Why did people vandalize the statue of Queen Victoria?

The vandalism of these statues is widely thought to be motivated by support for the suffering of Indigenous people at the hands of colonizing governments. The latest attack on Victoria’s statue happened on Red Dress Day, a national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

Why is Queen Elizabeth always wearing pearls?

Earlier, pearls, which are formed inside the shell of a mollusc, were associated with wealth and high social rank due to their rarity and high value. Queen Elizabeth I preferred pearls to show her purity and chastity as she projected her image as the Virgin Queen.

Why do people want statues taken down?

The statues misrepresent history, and glorify people who perpetuated slavery, attempted secession from United States, and lost the Civil War. The statues are a painful reminder of past and present institutionalized racism in the United States.

What did they do after pulling down the statue?

(d)What did they do after pulling down the statue? They melted the statue in a furnace after pulling it down.

Why might people pull down a statue of a king?

It’s a tradition that dates back to U.S. independence. Enthusiasm for the American Revolution led colonists to burn, disfigure, and deface any symbol of Britain and its hated king. Fireworks, bands, and cookouts are essential ingredients of any Fourth of July celebration.

Where is Edward Colston now?

The statue of Edward Colston was displayed at M Shed from June 2021 to January 2022. A survey formulated by the We Are Bristol History Commission was the focus of the display which asked citizens what should happen to the statue next. The survey has now closed. The statue is now in M Shed’s collection store.