Laura Sharman 10 June 2020

Councils pledge to review statues in wake of Black Lives Matter protests

Several councils have promised to review statues, street names and plaques following this week's Black Lives Matter protests.

Earlier this week a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol during an anti-racism protest.

Manchester City Council said it would conduct a full review of the city's statues to ensure their history and context is fully understood.

Cllr Luthfur Rahman, the council's executive member for skills, culture, and leisure said: 'Through this process it's important that we do not shy away from the darker moments in our country's history and the difficult conversations attached to them. We hope this will provide an opportunity for education and debate around those who have been memorialised.'

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has also announced a review of London's public realm to ensure landmarks reflect the capital's diversity.

Mayor Khan said: 'It is an uncomfortable truth that our nation and city owes a large part of its wealth to its role in the slave trade and while this is reflected in our public realm, the contribution of many of our communities to life in our capital has been wilfully ignored.

'This cannot continue. We must ensure that we celebrate the achievements and diversity of all in our city, and that we commemorate those who have made London what it is – that includes questioning which legacies are being celebrated.'

The leader of Oxford City Council, cllr Susan Brown, has issued a statement supporting the removal of the Cecil Rhodes statue.

She said: 'I have today written to Oriel College to invite them to apply for planning permission to remove the statue, as it is a Grade II* listed building. Typically such actions are only allowed in the most exceptional of circumstances. But these are exceptional circumstances, and as a city council we are keen to work with Oriel to help them find the right balance between the laws that protect our historic buildings and the moral obligation to reflect on the malign symbolism of this statue.'

The Government has been warned that community tensions could erupt further as the concerns of Black Lives Matters protesters are fuelled by emerging coronavirus inequalities, The MJ has learnt.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Occupational Therapist RBKC613100

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£41,967 - £50,088 per annum
Champion person-centred care for older people and adults with physical disabilities. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Young Carers Keyworker

Essex County Council
Up to £25662 per annum
Young Carers KeyworkerPermanent, Full TimeUp to £25,662 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

LD/Autism Health Equalities Coordinator

Essex County Council
Up to £26253 per annum
LD/Autism Health Equalities CoordinatorFixed Term, Full TimeUp to £26,253 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Education Access Coordinator - Countywide

Essex County Council
Up to £32545 per annum
Education Access Coordinator - CountywideFixed Term, Full TimeUp to £32,545 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Youth Support Worker

Essex County Council
£23496 - £23825 per annum
Youth Support WorkerPermanent, Full Time£23,496 to £23,825 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.