Churchill statue boarded up amid fears of ‘violence and disorder’ during far-right protest

12 June, 2020 | Filed under: All News,more news,Opinion,RECENT POSTS,Somali news | Posted by:
Churchill statue and Cenotaph boarded up ahead of weekend protests
The Winston Churchill statue and the Cenotaph were boarded up ahead of Black Lives Matter protest as police fear clashes with far-right groups

The Winston Churchill statue and the Cenotaph were boarded up ahead of Black Lives Matter protest as police fear clashes with far-right groups Winston Churchill’s statue was boarded up last night as anti-racism and far-right groups both plan protests in the capital this weekend. Other monuments including the Cenotaph were clad in protective sheeting after being targeted by vandals during a Black Lives Matter demonstration last weekend.

The statue to Britain’s war-time leader was daubed in spray paint saying he ‘was a racist’, while another lout was pictured trying to set fire to a union flag on the Cenotaph commemorating the nation’s war dead. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he is ‘extremely concerned’ that further protests in London, particularly by extreme far-right groups which ‘advocate hatred and division’, could lead to violence and disorder.

Scaffolders erect boarding around the statue of Sir Winston Churhill at Parliament Square, London, following a raft of Black Lives Matter protests that took place across the UK over the weekend. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday June 12, 2020. See PA story POLICE Floyd. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Conner/PA WireScaffolders erect boarding around the statue of Sir Winston Churhill at Parliament Square (Picture: PA)

He said ‘It is clear that the majority of the protesters have been peaceful. ‘This moment must be a catalyst for systemic, lasting change to tackle the racism and inequalities that black people still face today, in this country and elsewhere. For all the latest news and updates on Coronavirus, click here. ‘However, I’m extremely concerned that further protests in central London not only risk spreading Covid-19, but could lead to disorder, vandalism and violence.

‘Extreme far-right groups who advocate hatred and division are planning counter-protests, which means that the risk of disorder is high. ‘Be in no doubt these counter-protests are there to provoke violence, and their only goal is to distract and hijack this important issue. ‘Staying home and ignoring them is the best response this weekend.’

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 11: Workers is seen before erecting scaffold around the statue of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Parliament Square ahead of new anti-racist demonstrations in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Hasan Esen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Vandals last week spray painted ‘was a racist’ under the war-time leader’s name (Picture: Hasan Esen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Scaffolders erect boarding around the statue of Sir Winston Churhill at Parliament Square, London, following a raft of Black Lives Matter protests that took place across the UK over the weekend. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday June 12, 2020. See PA story POLICE Floyd. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire
Work begins to cover the statue (Picture: PA)

?? Licensed to London News Pictures. 12/06/2020. London, UK. A statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is seen covered in scaffolding and a metal cover, ahead of a Black Lives Matter demonstration In Parliament Square, central London. Black Lives Matter have called for the removal of statures from throughout the UK of historical characters involved in the salve trade, following the death of George Floyd in the U. S. A . Photo credit: Ben Cawthra/LNP
The statue has been shielded inside a metal cover (Picture: Ben Cawthra/LNP)

?? Licensed to London News Pictures. 12/06/2020. London, UK. A barrier erected around the base of the Cenotaph war memorial on Whitehall, ahead of a Black Lives Matter demonstration In Parliament Square, central London. Black Lives Matter have called for the removal of statures from throughout the UK of historical characters involved in the salve trade, following the death of George Floyd in the U. S. A . Photo credit: Ben Cawthra/LNP
A barrier has also been erected around the base of the Cenotaph war memorial on Whitehall (Picture: Ben Cawthra/LNP)


Workers erect a protective barrier around the Cenotaph in anticipation of protests tomorrow (Picture: Getty Images)

The Democratic Football Lads Alliance called on supporters to travel to the capital to protect monuments after a number were vandalised in recent protests. Far-right figure Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has expressed his support. The Sun reports that a flier posted on Facebook declared that rival firms will ‘put aside their rivalries and guard the Cenotaph from vandals’.

 

Reports have suggested violent protesters could be jailed within 24 hours as authorities attempt to deter trouble. Anybody caught vandalising, causing criminal damage or assaulting police officers could be processed through magistrates’ courts with extended opening hours quickly, according to The Times. Workers were also seen boarding up the George Washington statue on Trafalgar Square along with another to King James II as well as monuments of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.

Scaffolders erect boarding around the George Washington statue on Trafalgar Square, London, following a raft of Black Lives Matter protests that took place across the UK over the weekend. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis. Picture date: Thursday June 11, 2020.
The statue of George Washington on Trafalgar Square was also boarded up (Picture: EMPICS Entertainment)

Scaffolders erect boarding around the George Washington statue on Trafalgar Square, London, following a raft of Black Lives Matter protests that took place across the UK over the weekend. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis. Picture date: Thursday June 11, 2020.
Anyone caught vandalising, causing criminal damage or assaulting police officers could be locked up in 12 hours as part of a new clamp-down on violent protests (Picture: EMPICS Entertainment)

The toppling of slave trader Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol last weekend acted as a catalyst for more monuments linked with Britain’s colonial past to be taken down. The latest to follow suit is Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, after it confirmed two figures depicting Robert Clayton and Thomas Guy will be taken out of public view due to their association with the slave trade. Clayton, a former Lord Mayor of London, had ties to the Royal African Company, which transported slaves to the Americas, while Guy invested in the South Sea Company, which was also involved in the trade.

The dramatic moment that the statue of Edward Colston was pulled from its plinth in Bristol city centre, June 7 2020. The new photo which has emerged today was captured on film by Harry Pugsley who was delighted to see hed captured the iconic image when the film was returned from the developers. See SWNS story SWBRhistory. The Colston statue will be placed in a museum it was confirmed today - as a new picture of the historic moment it came crashing down emerged. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said today the bust will be fished out and put on display locally. He also revealed that historians and local experts will be commissioned to ''look into the city's past''. Mr Rees said ''Bristol???s true history will be researched by a new commission so the city can better understand its story''.
The dramatic moment the statue of Edward Colston was pulled from its plinth in Bristol city centre (Picture: Harry Pugsley/SWNS)

Protesters throw statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally, in memory of George Floyd who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 7, 2020. See PA story POLICE Floyd. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Protesters threw the statue into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally (Picture: PA)

People read signs and placards at the base of the Edward Colston statue plinth in Bristol city centre following a raft of Black Lives Matter protests took place across the UK over the weekend. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 10, 2020. See PA story POLICE Floyd. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
People read signs and placards at the base of the statue plinth (Picture: PA)

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement: ‘Like many organisations in Britain, we know that we have a duty to address the legacy of colonialism, racism and slavery in our work. ‘We absolutely recognise the public hurt and anger that is generated by the symbolism of public statues of historical figures associated with the slave trade in some way.’ Meanwhile, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has delayed plans to temporarily remove a statue of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell after angry residents vowed to fight to protect it.

Chris Arthur and Matthew Trott, Scouts from the Thane Rover Crew of Cwmbran in Wales pose next to a statue of Robert Baden-Powell in Poole, the statue is due to be removed following protests against the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis, Poole, Britain, June 11, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Chris Arthur and Matthew Trott, Scouts from the Thane Rover Crew of Cwmbran in Wales, pose next to a statue of Robert Baden-Powell in Poole (Picture: Reuters)

The council had originally said it would move the statue from Poole Quay on Thursday over concerns it was on a target list compiled by anti-racism activists. Campaigners have focused in on Lord Baden-Powell due to his associations with the Nazis and the Hitler Youth programme, as well as his actions in the military. The statue features on a ‘topple the racists’ website which lists more than 60 statues and memorials across the UK which they argue should be taken down, because they ‘celebrate slavery and racism’. Mr Khan has already announced a newly formed Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm to review landmarks in the capital, including murals, street art, street names, statues and other memorials

 

Source:metro.co.uk/