The 'Colston Four' are acquitted

On Wednesday 5th January 2022, the ‘Colston Four’, made up of Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby, and Jake Skuse were acquitted of criminal damage by a jury at Bristol Crown Court after being accused of illegally toppling the statue of Edward Colston on 7th June 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter Protests. A 17th century English merchant, Edward Colston profited off the Atlantic slave trade, but donated large sums to the development of Bristol’s infrastructure, hence his commemoration across numerous landmarks in the city: from Colston Hall to Colston’s School. This toppling has occurred against the backdrop of years of activism that has been focused on removing the celebratory status that Colston has long held across the city. For many, this statue, which was created in 1895, glorifies a network that was built on the pain and suffering of thousands of slaves, with its presence an insult to the black citizens of Bristol. This eruption came in response to decades of council inaction on the issue.  A divisive figure across the city, this case has further spurred on a public debate around memorialisation and the role that statues should play in society.

Sage Willoughby told reporters: “We didn't change history, we rectified it! This is a victory for Bristol, and this is a victory for racial equality and for anyone who wants to be on the right side of history.”

 The famed, local artist Banksy raised the issue on his Instagram to over 10 million followers, and produced souvenir shirts to be sold at various outlets across Bristol to generate proceeds for the defendants. However, the jury’s decision has angered many MPs, who claim it sets a precedent for other statues to be damaged.

Written by The Burst News Team