“Opening the defence for Willoughby at Bristol crown court on Wednesday, barrister Liam Walker told jurors they would hear evidence that the statue of Colston “was in fact indecent and threatening, particularly to members of the black community in Bristol”.
Colston “cast a shadow” over Bristol “until the very statue that venerated him was forcibly and, we submit, lawfully removed from its plinth”, Walker added.
He said: “Edward Colston oversaw the genocide of 19,000 human beings – that number included children. All of them were enslaved with a brutality that you will learn about and will no doubt conclude is as upsetting as it is shocking.
“He is not, as has been described, a ‘divisive figure’. Colston’s vile, immoral enrichment and indeed his life should not, I suggest, divide opinion in the slightest.”
Honestly, this is a tricky one. As someone who lives in Bristol, I can honestly say people were sick of that statue and had campaigned to have it moved for donkeys years. On the other hand I can see the point that they did break the law… I hope they get a very very light punishment if they are found guilty, like a £10 fine or something!
They are guilty
“It was then that Ponsford retrieved a black rope from his rucksack”
Skuse, Graham, Ponsford and Willoughby all deny criminal damage. wut…
Lets hope they get made an example of, there was no justification to damage that or any other statue.
Especially considering it was a listed structure.
That people disagree with it fair enough, petition to get it removed. If the petition doesnt work try again later. But you cant set the precedent that mob justice is allowed because it goes against their principles.
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“Opening the defence for Willoughby at Bristol crown court on Wednesday, barrister Liam Walker told jurors they would hear evidence that the statue of Colston “was in fact indecent and threatening, particularly to members of the black community in Bristol”.
Colston “cast a shadow” over Bristol “until the very statue that venerated him was forcibly and, we submit, lawfully removed from its plinth”, Walker added.
He said: “Edward Colston oversaw the genocide of 19,000 human beings – that number included children. All of them were enslaved with a brutality that you will learn about and will no doubt conclude is as upsetting as it is shocking.
“He is not, as has been described, a ‘divisive figure’. Colston’s vile, immoral enrichment and indeed his life should not, I suggest, divide opinion in the slightest.”
Honestly, this is a tricky one. As someone who lives in Bristol, I can honestly say people were sick of that statue and had campaigned to have it moved for donkeys years. On the other hand I can see the point that they did break the law… I hope they get a very very light punishment if they are found guilty, like a £10 fine or something!
They are guilty
“It was then that Ponsford retrieved a black rope from his rucksack”
Skuse, Graham, Ponsford and Willoughby all deny criminal damage. wut…
Lets hope they get made an example of, there was no justification to damage that or any other statue.
Especially considering it was a listed structure.
That people disagree with it fair enough, petition to get it removed. If the petition doesnt work try again later. But you cant set the precedent that mob justice is allowed because it goes against their principles.