Change the name of all places and landmarks in Bristol named after Edward Colston

Change the name of all places and landmarks in Bristol named after Edward Colston

The Issue

The name of all landmarks and buildings in Bristol that hold the name should be changed. This includes Colston Avenue, Colston Street, Colston Tower, Colston’s School and Colston’s Girls School. Edward Colston was a monumental figure in the Bristol Slave trade, and to continue to honour him by keeping his name on many Bristol landmarks, is perpetuating both his name and what he stood for. Whilst it isn’t correct to shield Bristol’s concerning part in the slave trade, renaming these places becomes an act of defiance against racism and slavery. It is a means to abolish colonial ideology, and the removal of his name is an act of putting an end to racism. This also ends the trauma for Black people, who have to live amongst the constant reminder of slavery with the display of Edward Colston’s name all over Bristol. Bristol should not stand for racism and inequality any longer, and it does not have a place for men like Colston, which means that his name no longer is welcome on our buildings and streets. We will not forget the horrors of the slave trade, yet Colston should not be a part of Bristol any longer, and that includes his name. 

This petition had 2,702 supporters

The Issue

The name of all landmarks and buildings in Bristol that hold the name should be changed. This includes Colston Avenue, Colston Street, Colston Tower, Colston’s School and Colston’s Girls School. Edward Colston was a monumental figure in the Bristol Slave trade, and to continue to honour him by keeping his name on many Bristol landmarks, is perpetuating both his name and what he stood for. Whilst it isn’t correct to shield Bristol’s concerning part in the slave trade, renaming these places becomes an act of defiance against racism and slavery. It is a means to abolish colonial ideology, and the removal of his name is an act of putting an end to racism. This also ends the trauma for Black people, who have to live amongst the constant reminder of slavery with the display of Edward Colston’s name all over Bristol. Bristol should not stand for racism and inequality any longer, and it does not have a place for men like Colston, which means that his name no longer is welcome on our buildings and streets. We will not forget the horrors of the slave trade, yet Colston should not be a part of Bristol any longer, and that includes his name. 

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