Protesters removed the statue of Edward Colston, slave trader, from its plinth. It will now be taken off public display and stored.
The statue was taken to the harbor during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Bristol, June 2020.
It was retrieved by Bristol City Council employees and has since been displayed in the M Shed Museum.
It will then be taken off the Museum’s First Floor and stored until January 3.
Protesters removed the statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader, from its plinth. It will now be taken from public view and stored. In June 2020, a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Bristol saw the statue being rolled into harbour.
Workers from Bristol City Council rescued the statue, which has been in display at the M Shed museum since last summer. However, it will now be moved to storage and taken off the museum’s 1st floor.
Above, the statue is positioned in front of a glass with views of the harbour. L Shed houses collections no longer displayed
After pleading not guilty, four people are being tried for criminal damage.
The museum spokesperson said that the current Colston statue display would close on Monday. If you wish to see the Colston statue, please pre-book your time.
“In January, we will move the statue to our shops in L Shed. L Shed is open to the public by booking one our complimentary behind-the-scenes tours.
This statue, which is still in good condition with its spray paint intact, can be seen at the window overlooking the harbor.
Collections that are not currently on display in the L Shed can be found at The L Shed.
Edward Colston: A merchant and slave trader, who was once considered Bristol’s greatest son
Edward Colston played an integral part in the Royal African Company which held complete control over Britain’s slavery trade.
Edward Colston was the son of a Bristol merchant family, in 1636.
Following his time as an apprentice in a livery business, he started exploring the shipping industry.
After his graduation, he was a member of the Royal African Company.
The Company held complete control over Britain’s slave trade as well as the gold and Ivory transactions with Africa and its forts along the coasts of west Africa.
During his tenure at the Company his ships transported around 80,000 slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and America.
A total of 20,000 people, including 3,000 children or more, were killed during their journeys.
Thomas Colston was Thomas’ brother and supplied the glass beads which were used for the purchase of slaves.
Colston, the Conservative MP for Bristol was created in 1710 by Colston but he was only elected for one term. This was due to his old age and poor health.
His wealth from extensive slave trade was used to fund schools and almshouses within his hometown.
In his honor, a statue was built.
However, after many years of demonstrations and artist boycotts, the venue has finally accepted to remove any reference to the trader.
A plaque was placed on a monument to Colston that is located in Bristol. It reads: “Erected by the citizens of Bristol as an honor of one of our most noble and wise sons.”
Colston’s statue overlooking the harbor was destroyed in response to the Black Lives Matter protests that were sparked in 2020 by George Floyd’s death.
In the wake of BLM protests, Edward Colston’s name is being removed from Bristol.
MailOnline by RORY TINGLE
After a Black Lives Matter demonstration, which saw the statue of Edward Colston toppled, many Bristol schools and venues have been stripped of Edward Colston’s name.
Colston served as the Royal African Company’s vice governor and was once hailed as Bristol’s greatest son.
Colston served as the Royal African Company’s vice governor. But his legacy from Bristol is being quickly erased
However, campaigners maintain that his role in the slavery trade was greater than his charitable work. His name is now almost entirely gone from his native city.
Colston Primary School was one of the first schools to act in 2018. It renamed itself Cotham Gardens Primary School after most parents, former pupils, and other students supported the move.
These protests culminated in 2020’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations, which saw his statue taken down and placed on the docks.
After a vote of students and staff, Colston’s Girls’ School was renamed Montpelier High School in November 2020.
Colston Hall, formerly known as Bristol Beacon is now known by the Bristol Beacon. Former Colston Tower has been renamed Beacon Tower
A University of Bristol student housing building, once called Colston Street, is now Accommodation at Thirty-Three
These events put pressure on all Bristol-based businesses and institutions that still honor Colston’s name.
Following a consultation with more than 4000 people, Colston Hall’s former name was changed to ‘Bristol Beacon’ in September 2020.
In a blog post, the management of the charity music venue stated that the former name was a memorial to Edward Colston, the slave trader.
Their long-awaited redesign was described as ‘an opportunity to make a new start’ and “a chance for us all to contribute in making society fairer and better”.
After a vote of students and staff, Colston’s Girls’ School was renamed Montpelier High School in November 2020.
Kerry McCullagh, Principal of the School, stated that the name change would allow the school to ‘forge a new identity which represents its diverse community.
Colston’s school in Stapleton was the last one to be named after him.
One post from the school said that feedback from students, former pupils, and staff indicated their desire to change the school’s name. This will happen in 2022.
After temporarily taking the title ‘Ye olde pubby Mcdrunkface,’ a pub that was formerly called The Colston Arms has been renamed.
In 2018, Colston Primary school was renamed Cotham Gardens elementary school, two years before protests by the BLM.
Nick Baker, the chair of the school’s governors said that he had spent a lot of time examining, considering, and reflecting on the matter. It became apparent that people with close connections to the school preferred a name more appropriate for today’s pupils and future staff.
“It’s hoped that the new identity will more accurately reflect the values, ethos and school culture of today as well as make it more friendly to its local communities.
After temporarily taking the title ‘Ye olde Pubby Mcdrunkface,’ a pub that was formerly called The Colston Arms has been renamed.
Colston’s School in Stapleton is the school that bears his name. It has yet to change its name, but Colston’s Schools announced it would.
Colston Road, Easton, Bristol, bears the name and sign of the slave trader. However, street signs are now painted over
The pub posted a December 20th post to its Facebook page confirming that it now calls itself the Open Arms.
Many other bars made similar moves over the past months, with more likely to do so in future.
A University of Bristol student housing building, once called Colston Street, is now Accommodation At Thirty-Three.
Colston Street, in the centre of Bristol, and Colston Road, in Easton, are both unchanged.
Colston Street, in central Bristol, is one of few places that still bears the merchant’s mark.