This entry explores the aftermaths and trials that has followed each event: the St Pauls disturbance (1980) and the fall of the Colston statue (2020). It draws parallels between them and seeks to apply the aftermath of St Pauls to the ongoing trial faced by the Colston 4.
On Monday 25th January, 2021, four people appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court to face charges for the toppling of the Colston statue. Rhian Graham (29), Milo Ponsford (25), Jake Skuse (36) and Sage Willoughby (21) all faced charges for criminal damage yet pleaded ‘not guilty’. The Colston 4, as they have been dubbed, were given unconditional bail and told to appear in Bristol Crown Court for a hearing on March 2nd 2021 where it was decided they will remain on bail until they face trial on December 13th 2021. [See reference no.1] Prior to this, there will be a pre-trial hearing on November 8th 2021 for administrative purposes. Their charge will not be confirmed until 18 months after the fall of the statue.
Photo: B24/7
Since their arrest there has been a surge in support for the Colston 4 across social media, notably under the social media handles #Colston4 and #GladColstonsGone, as many Bristolians stand alongside them in solidarity. In support of their court appearance on January 25th 2020, advertising posters at Bristol bus stops were replaced with messages of solidarity.
A virtual meeting, in line with the current COVID-19 regulations, was held on January 25th 2021 to support the Colston 4. [ref no.2] 160 people attended the call to listen to discussions from Black Community Rising, All Black Lives Bristol, Speaking Statues, Countering Colston and Dr Shawn Sobers of UWE Bristol. An 8-minute silence was held by attendees to remember the 84,500 enslaved Africans that were transported by the Royal African Company across the Atlantic between 1680 and 1692, when Colston was heavily involved in the organisation. During a talk given by Dr Shawn Sobers, an anonymous member of the public managed to write a racist slur across his face. As I am sure you will agree, it shows that as a society, we have a long way to go.
Whilst many people stand in solidarity with the Colston 4, others condemn the toppling of the statue. 'Utterly disgraceful' and ‘unacceptable’ is how Priti Patel, the UK’s Home Secretary, described the removal of Edward Colston’s statue by BLM demonstrators. [ref no.3] Whilst the fall of the Colston statue was part of a movement protesting issues with law and order (ie. racist policing), it was also a breach of law and order itself: an act of criminal damage and vandalism. Therefore, there is a complicated paradox with the Colston 4 and the statue’s removal.
40 years prior, following the St Pauls disturbance (1980), sixteen youths faced charges for riotous assembly. An article by Dennis Johnson in The Guardian on October 24th 1980 explains that at the St Pauls hearing (23rd Oct 1980) demonstrators gathered outside the court to protest the trial and leaflets were spread proclaiming all charges ought to be dropped [ref no.4]. Henry Owen, the chairman of the West Indian Parents and Friends Association, said ‘there had been a widespread feeling of injustice among the black community about the court proceedings and about origins of the April riot.' [ref no.5] The images below show protestors standing outside the magistrates' court.
Bristol Archives: Simba Tongogara collection: 43567/Ph/1/1-4
After the final trial in April 1981, it was confirmed that all charges would be dropped in an attempt to maintain racial harmony within the city. According to an article written in The Guardian by Angela Singer on April 7th 1981, eight of the individuals were acquitted, yet the jury were undecided about the verdict for the remaining youths. [ref no.6] Singer explains that normally, when the jury have disagreed on the first trial, there would be a second trial. However, in this case, a decision was made to drop the charges ‘in the interests of racial harmony’ and ‘a further trial would not be in the public interest.’ [ref no.7]
The acquittal of those arrested during the St Pauls disturbance (1980) raises some really interesting questions about the Colston 4 and their ongoing trial. Would charging the Colston 4 be in the interest of racial harmony? Is their ongoing trial in the public interest? Countering Colston, a network of activists, artists and academics, have campaigned against the commemoration of Colston since its establishment in 2015. They commented on the first hearing of the Colston 4, stating:
“Whilst we do not endorse criminal damage, we do not support any prosecution as it is neither in the public nor Bristol’s interest in terms of where we are presently as a city. Non-prosecution would be a step towards reconciliation and healing.” [ref no.8]
Charges faced by those involved in the St Pauls disturbance (1980) were dropped for the sake of racial harmony in Bristol. Will the same be done for the Colston 4?
Some questions to think about:
What do you think should happen to the Colston 4?
Should their charges be dropped, like they were for the St Pauls disturbance, for the sake of racial harmony?
Do you stand with the Colston 4?
Feedback always welcome! Comment what you think below, or head over to the padlet to share your ideas!
For a list of the literature included in this post, please look here under the title, ‘The aftermaths and trials.’