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THE Black Lives Matter sculpture used by activists to replace the toppled Edward Colston statue must be removed, says Bristol’s Mayor.
Edward Colston was a slave trader, merchant and philanthropist whose statue in Bristol was toppled during Black Lives Matters protests. Photograph: Alamy
The statue of slave trader Edward Colston that was toppled from its plinth and pushed into the docks by protesters has long caused anger and divided opinion in Bristol.
The 5.5-metre (18ft) bronze statue had stood on Colston Avenue since 1895 as a memorial to his philanthropic works, an avenue he developed after divesting himself of links to a company involved in the selling of tens of thousands of slaves. His works in the city included money to sustain schools, almshouses and churches.
Although Colston was born in the city in 1636, he never lived there as an adult. All his slave-trading was conducted out of the City of London.
Colston grew up in a wealthy merchant family in Bristol and after going to school in London he established himself as a successful trader in textiles and wool.
Marvin Rees said today’s substitute was “the work and decision of a London-based artist which was not requested and permission was not given for it to be installed”.
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The toppled statue of Edward Colston was replaced by a BLM activistCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The statue went up in Bristol at 5am July 15Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Artist Marc Quinn created the black and resin steel version of protester Jen Reid, who was photographed standing on the empty plinth after the Colston statue was toppled during an anti-racism protest.
A team of ten people, directed by the artist, erected the figure of the black woman at 5am today.
But, the city's Mayor said on Twitter: "The future of the plinth and what is installed on it must be decided by the people of Bristol.
"I understand people want expression, but the statue has been put up without permission.
"Anything put on the plinth outside of the process we've put in place will have to be removed.
"The people of Bristol will decide its future."
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A statue of Jen Reid, a BLM protester, was erected this morningCredit: Getty Images - Getty
It must stay. Colstons statue reflected a shameful part of our history. Jen Reid's statue reflects a more enlightened time in that same history.
Edward Colston was a slave trader, merchant and philanthropist whose statue in Bristol was toppled during Black Lives Matters protests. Photograph: Alamy
The statue of slave trader Edward Colston that was toppled from its plinth and pushed into the docks by protesters has long caused anger and divided opinion in Bristol.
The 5.5-metre (18ft) bronze statue had stood on Colston Avenue since 1895 as a memorial to his philanthropic works, an avenue he developed after divesting himself of links to a company involved in the selling of tens of thousands of slaves. His works in the city included money to sustain schools, almshouses and churches.
Although Colston was born in the city in 1636, he never lived there as an adult. All his slave-trading was conducted out of the City of London.
Colston grew up in a wealthy merchant family in Bristol and after going to school in London he established himself as a successful trader in textiles and wool.
Marvin Rees said today’s substitute was “the work and decision of a London-based artist which was not requested and permission was not given for it to be installed”.
13
The toppled statue of Edward Colston was replaced by a BLM activistCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
13
The statue went up in Bristol at 5am July 15Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Artist Marc Quinn created the black and resin steel version of protester Jen Reid, who was photographed standing on the empty plinth after the Colston statue was toppled during an anti-racism protest.
A team of ten people, directed by the artist, erected the figure of the black woman at 5am today.
But, the city's Mayor said on Twitter: "The future of the plinth and what is installed on it must be decided by the people of Bristol.
"I understand people want expression, but the statue has been put up without permission.
"Anything put on the plinth outside of the process we've put in place will have to be removed.
"The people of Bristol will decide its future."
13
A statue of Jen Reid, a BLM protester, was erected this morningCredit: Getty Images - Getty
It must stay. Colstons statue reflected a shameful part of our history. Jen Reid's statue reflects a more enlightened time in that same history.
