Massive Attack speak out against torn down slave trader statue in Bristol

by Raja Staudt · June 11, 2020

by: Chris Stack Jun 11, 2020

Legendary English music group formed in Bristol, Massive Attack, approved of the removal of the Edward Colston stature by anti-racism protesters, saying, “The Colston statue should never have been a public monument. It’s history could have been understood in a museum. The elevation of a slave trader clashed badly with our civic identity. A philanthropy derived from crimes against humanity is as hollow as the statue itself.”

The words by Massive Attack were in response to a video of the statue being pulled down, and an image of a protestors with his knee on the statue’s neck.

As part of the ongoing, worldwide protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, demonstrators marching in Bristol on Sunday, June 7 tore down the statue of Colston, a 17th century slave trader, and tossed it into the harbor. In addition to denouncing the public monument, the Bristol venue, Colston Hall, issued a statement solidifying their commitment to changing its name. The initial announcement was made in 2017; however, with the recent push, the venue announced the name change will take place in autumn 2020.

Finally.

The Colston statue should never have been a public monument. It’s history could have been understood in a museum. #colston https://t.co/PbyhF3Kgls
— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) June 7, 2020

The elevation of a slave trader clashed badly with our civic identity.

A philanthropy derived from crimes against humanity is as hollow as the statue itself. #Colston pic.twitter.com/y3W4NON4Tp
— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) June 7, 2020

H/T: NME

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