BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTER STATUE REMOVED BY BRISTOL COUNCIL

Sky News 16 July 2020 

© PA It was only there for one day after it was secretly installed on Wednesday

The statue of a Black Lives Matter protester has been taken down after it was secretly installed to replace the monument of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol.

Council contractors were seen removing the statue at around 5.20am on Thursday.

The life-size sculpture of Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid was only in place for one day, after it was installed in secret by London artist Marc Quinn without the knowledge of city officials on Wednesday.

© PA The statue of Jen Reid was removed by council contractors on Thursday morning

Today Bristol City Council said in a statement: "This morning we removed the sculpture. It will be held at our museum for the artist to collect or donate to our collection."

On Wednesday, Mayor Marvin Rees tweeted: "I understand people want expression, but the statue has been put up without permission. Anything put on the plinth outside of the process we've put in place will have to be removed."

Mr Quinn said he was inspired to create the sculpture of Ms Reid when he saw a picture of her standing on the empty plinth after protesters toppled the original statue of Colston and dumped it in the harbour.

The piece, which he named A Surge of Power (Jen Reid), was praised by BLM activists after Ms Reid was photographed posing in front of it making the same gesture.

She said she hoped it would be allowed to stay, adding: "I'd like the council to keep it here, because obviously of what it represents and who was there prior.

"I think the most important thing is that something is up there replacing Edward Colston. And for people to discuss, educate, learn and just keep talking about it."

© PA Jen Reid had said she hoped the council would let it stay there

But Mr Rees said whatever replaces the slaver's statue "must be decided by the people of Bristol", "tell our full history" and be subject to consultation.