Slave trader statue to be moved to museum in UK following years of controversy

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The controversial statue of transatlantic slave trader Edward Colston, which was torn down by protestors in 2020, is due to be moved to a museum in the UK, according to local media on Tuesday.

The statue was pulled down during a protest in Bristol in 2020 due to Colston's involvement with the transatlantic slavery of 84,500 people from Africa.

The statue which was later put on temporary display at Bristol’s M Shed Museum, has been out of public view since January 2022, LocalGov media outlet reported.

City Councils of Bristol is expected to vote on applying for the de-listing of the statue next week, according to the report.

Speaking to BBC, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: "I remain in support of the view that the best place for the statue is in a museum where its context, and that of what it represents to many communities can be appropriately shared with diverse audiences."

In June 2020, the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was brought down in Bristol before it was thrown in water near Bristol harbor.

Colston worked at a slave company that transported thousands of African slaves – men, women, and children. He was a native of Bristol and an active philanthropist in his home city. Due to his charitable contributions, several roads, schools, and other landmarks are named after him.