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Carnival atmosphere outside court as Colston 4 trial begins
The much-anticipated trial of the Colston 4 has begun, marked by a packed peaceful protest in solidarity with the defendants.
Dozens of supporters of the three men and one woman congregated outside Bristol Crown Court on the first morning of the trial.
The demonstration began at 8.30am with a ceremonial display of placards against the backdrop of the court buildings on Small Street.
is needed now More than ever
Organisers read messages which rallied round the defendants and aimed to spread the accountability from the four individuals facing the jury to everyone present when the Colston statue was toppled from its plinth on June 7 2020.
‘We are all topplers’, ‘I support the Colston statue topplers’ and ‘Glad he’s gone’ were among the banners held aloft.
Protesters outside Bristol Crown Court ahead of the start of the Colston 4 trial – photo: Rob Browne
A carnivalesque atmosphere ensued, which was kicked off by the arrival of a horde of cyclists armed with banners and ringing their bells as part of a Critical Mass ride which had started in Easton.
One cyclist was trailing a mobile speaker system painted bright yellow and blaring music through the crowds of demonstrators – only interrupted by the bellow of several bin lorries which parted the waves of demonstrators.
The defendants (Rhian Graham, 29, Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 36, and Sage Willoughby, 21, who have all pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage) arrived together.
They were met with vigorous applause and loud chants from the crowd of protesters.
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After posing for photos, the defendants and their supporters made their way to the crown court’s entrance..
Protesters continued to physically rally around them, holding their fists and placards in the air in solidarity.
The protest outside court on Monday morning followed another demonstration outside Merchants’ Hall that took place on Saturday.
Members of the pressure group Countering Colston held a rally asking why the Society of Merchant Venturers erected Colston’s statue. Until only five years ago, the slave trader’s fingernails and hair were kept on display at their headquarters in Clifton.
Glad Colston’s Gone protesters outside Merchants’ Hall – photo: Rob Browne
James Chandler from the Glad Colston’s Gone Collective said: “For centuries, the Society of Merchant Venturers have promoted Colston as a philanthropist, obscuring the brutal origins of his money.
“On Monday four people will be on trial for alleged criminal damage to the Colston statue and the SMV have nothing to say – so we’re coming to the doorstep of this unaccountable private members club.”
Main photo: Rob Browne
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