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Jubilant and emotional scenes in Bristol as Colston 4 acquitted
To a roar of cheers and a flash of cameras, the Colston 4 met a jubilant crowd outside Bristol Crown Court late on Wednesday afternoon.
Chants of “glad Colston’s gone” filled the air on Small Street as Rhian Graham, 30, Milo Ponsford, 26, Jake Skuse, 37, and Sage Willoughby, 22 – wearing t-shirts specially designed by Banksy – stood outside after they were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Dubbed the Colston 4, they were the only people charged following the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston during a Black Lives Matter march on June 7 2020 – a moment that made headlines around the world, with the repercussions still felt to this day.
is needed now More than ever
The four opted to face trial by jury and that jury returned a majority verdict of not guilty to the charges of criminal damage, concluding a trial that began on December 13.
“We didn’t change history, we rectified it,” said Willoughby, addressing journalists and supporters gathered outside the court as darkness fell on the crisp January day.
“This is a victory for Bristol, it’s a victory for racial equality and it’s a victory for anyone who wants to be on the right side of history.”
There were jubilant and emotional scenes as the landmark verdict marked a significant moment for so many in Bristol and across the world.
“You’re making history,” shouted one of the people holding a ‘Glad Colston’s gone’ banner. Others held banners that read ‘Respect to the Colston topplers’ and ‘We toppled Colston’.
As journalists clustered around, Graham gave her response to the not guilty verdict. “I’m just so overwhelmed because I never thought we’d get here,” she said, thanking the witnesses who gave evidence in court, supporters and all of the 10,000 people who turned out to march in the name of equality on June 7 2020.
Graham continued: “We all have ability to say how our space is decorated and who we venerate and who we celebrate – and one thing that we know now is that Colston does not represent Bristol.”
The Colston 4 were met with cheers as they left Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday – photo by Ellie Pipe
Bristol’s history and the lasting legacy of the evils of the transatlantic slave trade were laid bare during the trial.
Speaking after the verdicts were delivered on Wednesday, Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, who defended Graham, said: “This case demonstrates the fundamental importance of trial by jury. That is because juries represent the collective sense of justice of the community.
“In this case, they determined that a conviction for the removal of this statue – that glorified a slave trader involved in the enslavement of over 84,000 Black men, women and children as a ‘most virtuous and wise’ man – would not be proportionate.”
Main photo by Ellie Pipe
Read more: Protestors topple Colston’s statue amid jubilant scenes in Bristol
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