Share
IJR

Statue of Christopher Columbus Torn Down, Set on Fire and Thrown in a Lake

Share

As protests against racism spread throughout the world, demonstrators are tearing down statues of individuals with racist legacies.

In Richmond, Virginia, demonstrators tore down a statue of Christopher Columbus, spray painted it, set it on fire, and threw it in a lake.

Check out some of the pictures below:

https://twitter.com/megdcrad/status/1270555370671521792

Trending:
3 Dead, 6 Injured in Hamas-Claimed Shooting at Bus Stop

The Columbus statue in Richmond was not the only one to suffer damage on Tuesday. In Boston, demonstrators took the head off a Columbus statue in that city. 

Columbus has become a controversial figure as his treatment of indigenous people during his explorations have tarred his legacy in recent years.

Since 1991, several U.S. cities have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. There is also a campaign to remove Columbus from schools’ curriculums. 

In the U.S. the issue of Confederate statues has also become a flashpoint. Last week, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced that the state would take down a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, as IJR reported.

However, a Virginia judge issued an injunction to block the removal of the statue. 

In some European countries, statues of controversial figures are coming down too. Demonstrators in Bristol, England tore down a statue of a slave trader and rolled it into a river.

Related:
Gov. Ralph Northam Explains Driving Force Behind His Push To Legalize Marijuana in Virginia

And in Belgium, demonstrators vandalized and burned a statue of King Leopold II who was responsible for the death of an estimated 10 million Congolese people more than 100 years ago. The statue of Leopold was removed and placed in a museum after it was defaced.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
Share
Comment Down Below

Conversation