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July 16, 2020

Black Lives Matter Statue Replaces Toppled Monument to British Slave Trader
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In Bristol, England, a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward
Colston toppled by protesters last month has been replaced - with a
tribute to a Black Lives Matter demonstrator. The new monument features
a life-size replica of activist Jen Reid, who stood on the former
statue's empty pedestal, fist held high, after it was torn from its
perch and thrown into the harbor on June 7.

Jen Reid: "For me, getting on that plinth, I raised my fist. And I
raised my fist to give power back to the people, back to the slaves who
died at the hands of Colston. I gave power to George Floyd and for other
Black people who have faced injustices for being Black, you know?"

The statue was installed by a London-based artist without permission
from Bristol officials, though the city's mayor stopped short Wednesday
of saying it would be removed. 


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