Colston Road unofficially renamed ‘Colston Four Road’ in honour of activists who tore down statue
The road sign was secretly changed by unknown protestors
A road in Bristol has been renamed “Colston Four Road” in honour of the activists who helped tear down Edward Colston’s statue.
The sign, on the corner of Colston Road in Easton, was secretly changed last week by unknown protestors.
Last month, the Colston Four, Sage Willoughby, Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford and Jake Skuse, were cleared of criminal damage by a jury for the role they played in the destruction of the statue during a Black Lives Matter protest in June 2020.
As a member and later deputy governor of the Royal African Company, Colston profited extensively from the slave trade. Between 1680 and 1692, the Company shipped 84,000 Africans into slavery.
Colston has historically been widely commemorated throughout the city for his philanthropy with multiple roads, buildings and schools named after him.
The statue of Edward Colston stood in the city-centre of Bristol for 125 years before it was pulled down and dumped in Bristol Harbour on 7th June 2020.
Whilst the statue has not been reinstated, the plaque where he stood remains, describing him as “one of the most virtuous and wise sons of the city”.
The Colston Four were cleared of their charges following an 11 day trial last month at Bristol Crown Court.
It took a jury of six men and six women just short of three hours to reach a not guilty verdict.
Whilst the road sign remains in place, it is not clear yet whether the council intend to remove the new sign.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Related stories recommended by this writer:
• ‘Colston four’ who helped tear down slave trader’s statue cleared of all charges
• Graffitied Colston statue to go on display in Bristol museum next week