Sunderland leaders promise 'conversation' over any problematic monuments - but stand against 'unlawful damage'

City leaders “will not support unlawful damage” to Sunderland’s statues – but they have also not ruled out moving or altering them in the future.
By James Harrison
Published 12th Jun 2020, 06:00 GMT
Updated 12th Jun 2020, 19:23 GMT
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Protests linked to the Black Lives Matter have prompted calls for installations commemorating some historical figures to be removed.

Bosses at Sunderland City Council have stopped short of ordering a full review of all Wearside’s monuments, they have promised a ‘conversation’ on their future.

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John Kelly, cabinet member for Communities and Culture, said: “As a listening council, we take on board the views of the public and should we be requested to look again at our monuments, statues and public commemorations, we will do that and consult further.

Workers take down a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan at West India Quay, east London as Labour councils across England and Wales will begin reviewing monuments and statues in their towns and cities, after a protest saw anti-racism campaigners tear down a statue of a slave trader in Bristol. Picture by Yui Mok/PA WireWorkers take down a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan at West India Quay, east London as Labour councils across England and Wales will begin reviewing monuments and statues in their towns and cities, after a protest saw anti-racism campaigners tear down a statue of a slave trader in Bristol. Picture by Yui Mok/PA Wire
Workers take down a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan at West India Quay, east London as Labour councils across England and Wales will begin reviewing monuments and statues in their towns and cities, after a protest saw anti-racism campaigners tear down a statue of a slave trader in Bristol. Picture by Yui Mok/PA Wire
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“Subject to consultation with the public of Sunderland, we would then look to reach a consensus.

Coin Kelly was backed by council leader Graeme Miller, who added: “We will not support unlawful damage to monuments and statues or anything that celebrates what the residents of the city have said in bygone years is important to it.

RELATED: This is who and what statues and monuments across Sunderland honour

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“If we’re going to do anything we will do it in full conversation with the residents of the city.”

The council’s Conservative group has launched a petition demanding any calls to remove Wearside’s monuments are rejected.

A statue of 17th Century slave trader Edward Colston was toppled by protestors in Bristol and thrown into the city’s harbour on Sunday June 7 following years of debate over whether it should be removed and what could replace it.

On June 9, a London council removed a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan from its plinth in the docklands area.

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Labour Party chiefs have called for a review of public monuments maintained by councils, which has since been backed in the North East by Newcastle City Council and Durham County Council.

A statement by the the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Labour group said: “LGA Labour have consulted with all Labour council leaders, and there is overwhelming agreement from all Labour councils that they will listen to and work with their local communities to review the appropriateness of local monuments and statues on public land and council property.”

https://twitter.com/LGA_Labour/status/1270347641558351875?s=20

Related topics:SunderlandGraeme MillerBlack Lives MatterSunderland City CouncilWearside