Unbolted, the statue of a slave trader will end up at the museum

Today, it lies at the bottom of the Avon, a river which winds in the middle of Bristol. 48 hours ago, the bronze statue of Edward Colston, a late 17th century slave trader, still stood in one of the streets of the British city.

Sunday, demonstrators took to the streets to protest following the death of George Floyd in the United States decided to unbolt this sculpture erected in 1895. After this debunking in order, it was trampled and then thrown into the river port.

The moment that the statue of Edward Colston was pulled down pic.twitter.com/oRpAg9HLqI

What outraged the British government. But not the mayor, Marvin Rees, on the contrary. The latter reacted on Monday on BBC radio. "As an elected official, I obviously cannot tolerate the damage and I am very concerned about the implications of a mass rally on the possibility of a second wave [of contamination]. But I am of Jamaican origin and I cannot say that I have a real feeling of loss for the statue, "he conceded explaining that he saw it as a" personal affront ".

"We had a statue up to someone who made his money buying and selling people. That statue is now underwater which is a piece of historical irony"

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees says he will try to "bring this city together" after a statue was torn downhttps: //t.co/as2nGiOECW pic.twitter.com/4xnjaO59So

Historical moment

This debunking is a “historic” moment according to the mayor who thinks that this statue will end up at the M Shed museum in this city with a slave past. Just like the signs held up during these anti-racist demonstrations.

"Let's make the legacy of today about the future of our city, tackling racism and inequality. I call on everyone to challenge racism and inequality in every corner of our city and wherever we see it." Marvin Rees 4/4 pic.twitter.com/lAs4LGWbmb

The Historic England Heritage Protection Association said it recognized that "the statue was a symbol of injustice" and explained that if it condemned the unbolt, it was not for resettlement.

Another statue was targeted Sunday in front of the Parliament in London, that of the former conservative Prime Minister Winston Churchill and hero of the Second World War: the inscription "was a racist" was affixed under his name on the basement.

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• Britain
• Racism
• Demonstration
• England
• Slavery
• George Floyd
• World