Frustrated campaigners slammed four individuals who were found guilty of destroying the historical statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader during Black Lives Matter protests.
Rhian Graham, 30, Milo Ponsford, 26, Sage Wiloughby, 22, and Jake Skuse, 33, were cleared of all criminal damage charges at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday after choosing a trial by jury.
The bronze statue of the merchant from 17th-century was removed on June 7, 2020. It was then dumped at the harbour.
Graham, Ponsford, and Willoughby are accused of pulling down the monument. Skuse, however, allegedly orchestrated its being rolled into the water and then thrown in.
Protestors maintained their conviction that they orchestrated the destruction of the statue over a 10-day period. However, they argued that because it had been hateful against Bristolites, they could be held responsible.
They laughed when they were released from criminal damage cases and hugged witnesses as they left courtroom.
Milo Ponsford (left), Sage Willoughby (second left), Jake Skuse (second right in mask) and Rhian Graham (right) were cleared by Bristol Crown Court of all charges for criminal damage.
The bronze statue of Edward Colston, a 17th century merchant, was torn down by Black Lives Matter activists on June 7. It was later found in the harbour.
Campaign group Save Our Statues posted the following tweet in response to the release of defendants: “Colston statue accuse defy justice.” The Verdict gives political vandalism the green light, and legitimizes the divisive identity politics that it supported.
Darren Grimes (Conservative Commentator) said that he was shocked to hear about the criminal damages done by those responsible for removing Edward Colston’s statue.
“Are you really now a nation that allows you to destroy public property if you do it for an allegedly noble political cause?”
Four people were acquitted after they admitted to having been involved in the demolition of Edward Colston’s historic slave trading statue during Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
Summary of the proceedings before the jury made their verdict, Judge Peter Blair (QC) reminded the jury that they should disregard the media hype surrounding the case and instead rely on the evidence presented to them.
In conclusion, Judge Peter Blair QC instructed the jury not to make any comments about the consequences and weight of the decision. They must only consider the evidence presented to them.
Nearly 10,000 people headed towards the Colston statue on the Colston Statue set out from College Green at Bristol Cathedral, June 7.
Protestors, shouting “pull it Down, pull it down”, wrapped ropes around bronze artifacts and tossed them into the harbour.
In response to George Floyd’s death, which was a result of the US police shooting of him, the Bristol protest was one of many.