A new plaque has been installed on the plinth where a slave trader's statue once stood. The statue of Edward Colston in Bristol was torn down during a Black Lives Matter protest in June 2020and thrown it into the city's harbour. Installed on 17 April,the wording of the new plaqueremoves any mention of Colston as a "city benefactor". In November, Conservative city councillor Richard Eddy voted against the revision and called it "utterly shameful". He said: "Deleting the reference to Edward Colston, one of Bristol's greatest sons, being a benefactor is outrageous – an utterly historical revision that is worthy of the Nazis." Opposition councillors pointed out to Mr Eddy that Edward Colston's fortune came from "forced transportation of 84,000 slaves, almost 20,000 of whom died", theLocal Democracy Reporting Servicesaid. Edward Colstonwas a prominent 17th Century slave traderand his legacy has been a source of controversy in Bristol for many years. He was a member of the Royal African Company, which transported about 80,000 men, women and children from Africa to the Americas. On his death in 1721, he bequeathed his wealth to charities and his legacy can still be seen on Bristol's streets, memorials and buildings. After the statue was toppled, a protester was pictured with his knee on the figure's neck - reminiscent of the video showing George Floyd who died while being restrained in that way by a Minnesota police officer. Four people accused of illegally removing the statue werecleared of criminal damage in January 2022. The statue is now on permanent display in M Shed's Bristol People gallery in the city. Seven years after it was suggested, the new plaque has been placed below the original plaque - part of the plinth when the statue was first erected 130 years ago. The new plaque reads: "On 13 November, 1895, a statue of Edward Colston (1636-1721) was unveiled here. "In the late 20th and early 21st Century, the celebration of Colston was increasingly challenged given his prominent role in the enslavement of African people. "On 7 June 2020, the statue was pulled down during Black Lives Matter protests and rolled into the Floating Harbour. "Following consultation with the city in 2021, the statue entered the collections of Bristol City Council 's museums." Follow BBC Bristol onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or viaWhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Edward Colston plaque installed where slave trader's statue was torn down
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"New Plaque Installed Where Edward Colston Statue Was Removed in Bristol"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A new plaque has been installed on the plinth where a statue of Edward Colston, a 17th-century slave trader, once stood in Bristol. This statue was removed during a Black Lives Matter protest in June 2020, an event that marked a significant moment in the global conversation about racial injustice and historical figures associated with slavery. The new plaque, installed on April 17, 2023, deliberately omits references to Colston as a 'city benefactor', a change that has sparked controversy. Conservative city councillor Richard Eddy criticized the omission, claiming it amounts to a historical revision akin to actions taken by the Nazis. His remarks highlight the ongoing debate about how societies confront and acknowledge their historical figures and the legacies they left behind. Opposition councillors countered his points by reminding the public that Colston's wealth was derived from the forced transportation of 84,000 slaves, with approximately 20,000 dying in transit, underscoring the moral complexities surrounding his legacy.
The legacy of Edward Colston has been a contentious topic in Bristol for years. He was a member of the Royal African Company, which played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. After his death in 1721, Colston bequeathed a portion of his wealth to charities, and many of Bristol's public spaces still bear his name. The statue's removal was accompanied by powerful imagery, including a protester kneeling on the statue, reminiscent of George Floyd's death, which galvanized the Black Lives Matter movement. Although four individuals faced accusations of criminal damage for the statue's removal, they were cleared of wrongdoing in January 2022. The statue is now housed in the M Shed's Bristol People gallery, while the newly installed plaque serves to inform the public about the evolving narrative regarding Colston's role in history, reflecting a shift in societal values and a commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths about the past.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The installation of a new plaque where Edward Colston's statue once stood in Bristol is a significant moment in the ongoing debate over historical memory and racial justice. The statue's toppling in 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests symbolized a broader reckoning with Britain's colonial and slave-trading past. The new plaque's wording, which omits Colston's designation as a "benefactor," reflects a deliberate shift in how his legacy is framed—acknowledging the brutality of his role in the transatlantic slave trade rather than celebrating his philanthropy.
Historical Context and Controversy
Edward Colston was a key figure in the Royal African Company, which transported enslaved Africans under horrific conditions. His wealth, derived from human suffering, was later donated to Bristol, leaving a visible legacy in the city's infrastructure. The controversy over his statue highlights tensions between preserving history and confronting its darker chapters. The Conservative councillor's defense of Colston as a "great benefactor" underscores the resistance to reframing historical narratives, while opposition figures emphasize the moral imperative to acknowledge the suffering he caused.
Political and Social Implications
The plaque's revision is not just a local issue but part of a global conversation about how societies memorialize contested figures. The comparison to Nazi historical revisionism by Colston's defenders is hyperbolic, but it reveals the polarizing nature of such debates. The acquittal of the protesters who tore down the statue suggests a legal and cultural shift toward recognizing grassroots activism as a legitimate force for historical accountability.
Media and Public Perception
This story likely aims to reinforce the narrative that public symbols must reflect contemporary values, particularly racial justice. It may also serve to divert attention from other pressing issues, but there's no clear evidence of a deliberate distraction tactic. The framing aligns with progressive perspectives, appealing to activists and younger generations, while alienating conservative groups who view such changes as erasing history.
Economic and Global Relevance
While the story has limited direct impact on markets, it contributes to the broader discourse on corporate and institutional accountability for historical injustices. Companies with ties to colonial history may face renewed scrutiny. Globally, it resonates with similar movements, like the removal of Confederate statues in the U.S., suggesting a transnational pattern of reevaluating historical memory.
Manipulation and AI Influence
The article's tone is factual but leans toward sympathetic coverage of the plaque's revision. There's no overt manipulation, though the selection of quotes (e.g., highlighting the councillor's Nazi comparison) may subtly reinforce a progressive viewpoint. If AI was used, it likely followed neutral reporting guidelines, but the emphasis on Colston's crimes over his philanthropy could reflect algorithmic prioritization of socially conscious narratives.
Reliability Assessment
The report is credible, citing specific sources (Local Democracy Reporting Service) and presenting balanced viewpoints. However, the focus on the controversy may oversimplify the nuanced debate over historical commemoration. The lack of counterarguments from historians or neutral parties slightly weakens its depth.