Edward Colston was a slave trader. He made his fortune through the slave trade and oppressed an unimaginable amount of black people. 

Edward Colston is still remembered as a “philanthropist”. He is not. He is described as a philanthropist and slave trader in the same sentence. These two thing DO NOT CORRELATE. He stole riches from Africans to create his fortune. 23% of Africans died on his ships before they reached Bristol. The dead bodies were thrown overboard. He continued this torture for over 30 years. He was a mass murderer. 

Firstly, he should NEVER be remembered or described as a philanthropist. He was a racist and a slave trader. That is all we need to know. He should not own a legacy relating to good will. 

To name a building after him - Colston Hall - which is also managed by the Bristol Music Trust, is not acceptable. It never has been. 

His name should be forgotten without a legacy. He doesn’t deserve the statue in Bristol and he does not deserve this building. 

Sign this petition to have this changed. It’s one of the things we can do to show our support and respect for the black community. We can apologise, but it means nothing without action.