A video of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol being pulled down by protestors has gone viral over the weekend. The venue Colston Hall is named after the slave trader – now they’ve decided to rename the venue in autumn.
Edward Colston was a popular 17th century slave trader and has been a controversial person in Bristol for many years. The venue, which first opened in 1867 and has hosted artists such as The Beatles and David Bowie, got its name from said slave trader and has now been criticized for it, after Black Lives Matter protests have been happening in the city during the weekend.
On Sunday (June 7) protestors dragged down the bronze statue with ropes and threw it into the water. Today the venue announced via Twitter that they’re supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and are working on changing the name. According to the statement, the decision to rename the building was made three years ago as “part of the transformation of the hall.” Since the hall is currently closed because of redevelopment work taking place, the name is currently still the same as it has always been.
Edward Colston statue pulled down by BLM protesters in Bristol. Colston was a 17th century slave trader who has numerous landmarks named after him in Bristol. #BlackLivesMattters #blmbristol #ukprotests pic.twitter.com/JEwk3qKJx2
— Jack Grey (@_jackgrey) June 7, 2020
However, the Bristol Music Trust is emphasizing that “the current name does not reflect our values as a progressive, forward-thinking and open arts organisation.” The new name was supposed to be announced this spring, but with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forcing venues to close, it wasn’t the right timing to announce the new name, which many had been awaiting for years. “Covid-19 has had an impact on the timing of our plans, preventing us from being able to carry out our final round of community engagement.”
In the announcement, venue workers say that they’re aware “that the pace of change is important”, and that they are “working hard to adapt our plans through the pandemic.” Given the current circumstances, the aim is to announce the new name in the fall. The Bristol Music Trust is promising to “provide further updates on this as soon as we are able to.”
Following the Black Lives Matter protests and the removal of the Edward Colston statue in #Bristol yesterday, we would like to reassert our commitment to changing the name of Colston Hall and give an update on the timescale for doing so. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/p45R0Y5dFb
— Colston Hall (@Colston_Hall) June 8, 2020
