‘Performance activism’: Bristol mayor says downing of Colston has little bearing on fight against racism
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol was “less significant” than people have suggested and will have little bearing on the fight against inequality, the city’s directly elected mayor has said Marvin Rees suggested that pulling down the slaver’s much-reviled monument equated to “performance activism”. But… the fate of those four individuals has very little bearing on the real job I’ve got of supporting the city’s prosperity and making sure that we’re much more inclusive and equal.” Speaking to The Independent, the 49-year-old Bristolian defended himself and the council he leads against ongoing criticism for not taking the monument down sooner. I’ve referred to it in the past as performance activism.” He added: “No one is saying the statue should have stayed there. I’m not arguing for the presence of the statute but I am saying, in a world of finite resources and time, prioritise what you do to tackle racism.” He declined to be drawn on whether four black protestors would have been cleared of criminal damage in the same circumstances.