Sunderland leaders promise 'conversation' over any problematic monuments - but stand against 'unlawful damage'
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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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Hide AdJohn 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.
“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.
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Hide Ad“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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Hide AdLabour 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.”