Last updated: 3 June 2021
On Sunday 7 June 2020, people in Bristol took to the streets to support the Black Lives Matter movement, coming together with similar protests across the world.
During the event, a statue of Edward Colston that has been in the city for around 125 years, was removed and taken to the harbour. The statue has been a focus of debate for many years, with a number of petitions calling for its removal. The coverage of these actions has been global, and many have their own agendas as to the interpretation of these actions.
While not condoning any criminal actions, this is a hugely symbolic and powerful event in the city’s history. Bristol has a reputation for action, particularly when faced with inequality dating back hundreds of years.
What happened was at a time where people are unable to come and visit and stay. We want to reassure those who were considering a trip to Bristol when it is safe and within restrictions to do so, that they are welcome.
Image - Bristol City Council
We would like to offer insights into where more information can be accessed about Bristol’s role in transatlantic slavery and point to some contemporary voices online. At present, there is not a dedicated slavery museum in Bristol.
The Colston statue: What next? at M Shed
One year on, the statue now forms part of a new display at M Shed to start a city-wide conversation about its future. The statue is on display alongside a selection of placards from the protest as well as a timeline of key events leading up to 7 June 2020.
As part of your visit, you will have the chance to complete a survey. M Shed want to hear your thoughts on what happened that day and what you think should happen next. This is an opportunity to have your say on how we move forward together.
M Shed
The museum that tells the story of Bristol through its people, has a small exhibition on its first floor that looks at the city's role in transatlantic slavery and you can find information in a selection of their online resources:
- Bristol and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- Bristol and the Transatlantic Slave Trade: Myths and Truths
- Blood on the Bricks: More than Colston?
There is also a small plaque outside M Shed dedicated to the memory of enslaved African men, women and children which was unveiled in 1997.
The Georgian House
This museum shows what a home of a Bristol sugar plantation owner and person who held people in slavery will have looked like around 1790. A 360-degree tour of The Georgian House is is available online.
John Wesley's New Room
The museum at John Wesley's New Room also has a powerful exhibition about John Wesley and the Methodist response to slavery. You can read more and listen to the audio tour descriptions online.
CARGO
There were a series of events, installations and activities planned for 2020 directly confronting Bristol’s role in Transatlantic slavery, including CARGO. A multi-media installation created by Lawrence Hoo, CARGO will provide an empowering, alternative narrative of transatlantic slavery.
Visit Bristol categorically rejects racism. We will continue to keep the Visit Bristol website up to date with information for local people and, as travel restrictions within the UK are lifted, our visitors.
Image - Bristol City Council
Further reflection
A blog bringing together a selection of recordings from previous events which may be useful to discover or revisit at this time, published on 10 June 2020: Challenging Racial Injustice
David Olusoga
Historian, presenter of A House Through Time and Bristol resident, wrote an opinion piece in the Guardian on the events of Sunday, published on 8 June 2020: The toppling of Edward Colston's statue is not an attack on history. It is history
Best of Bristol
Owen Franklin, a Bristolian writer, filmmaker and composer has written a piece for Best of Bristol website, published on 9 June 2020: Contextualising the deep resentment of Edward Colston
Mayor Rees
Bristol's elected Mayor, Marvin Rees, spoke on 10 June 2020: Bristol's Real Story Must Be Told