(CMR) Black Lives Matter protestors in Bristol on Sunday (June 7) tore down a statue of Edward Colston, a racist slave trader.
Colston's statue which had been in the centre of Bristol since 1895 was tossed into the harbour by protestors.
Demonstrations have been springing up all across London following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd at the hands of US cops.
Most of the demonstrations staged in the UK have been described as “largely peaceful” with footage showing thousands in the streets outside the US embassy in Vauxhall and south London.
Nonetheless, on Sunday evening, police in central London issued a dispersal order forcing people to vacate the City of Westminster.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that while people had a right to protest, that the protests had been “subverted by thuggery”.
“People have a right to protest peacefully & while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police. These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery – and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account,” said Johnson on Twitter.
Twelve people were arrested in London for public order offences.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid