<p>British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that a statue of 19th century colonialist Cecil Rhodes should not be pulled down from an Oxford University college because history should not be edited.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-college-wants-to-remove-statue-of-colonialist-rhodes-after-rhodesmustfall-spreads-306782">Also Read:&nbsp;Oxford college wants to remove statue of colonialist Rhodes after #RhodesMustFall spreads</a></p>

<p>Oriel College, Oxford,&nbsp; had said last month it wanted to remove the&nbsp;statue of Rhodes after a campaign by those who argued the statue glorifies racism and is an insult to black students.</p>

<p>Johnson told an English newspaper he did not want to see the statue pulled down.</p>

<p>It would, he said, be like "trying to bowdlerise or edit our history ... like some politician sneakily trying to change his Wikipedia entry," the Standard reported.</p>

<p>"I’m pro-heritage, I’m pro-history, and I’m in favour of people understanding our past with all its imperfections," he said.</p>

<p>Johnson urged people not to be reckless, warning that more local lockdowns could follow citing example of Leicester.</p>

<p>"The public need to stay alert and realise that the threat is not over. Follow the guidance and behave responsibly so that this virus cannot re-emerge in communities across the country," he said.</p>

<p>The statement came before the opening of pubs, restaurants and other businesses in England this weekend.</p>


British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that a statue of 19th century colonialist Cecil Rhodes should not be pulled down from an Oxford University college because history should not be edited.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that a statue of 19th century colonialist Cecil Rhodes should not be pulled down from an Oxford University college because history should not be edited. Also Read: Oxford college wants to remove statue of colonialist Rhodes after #RhodesMustFall spreads Oriel College, Oxford, had said last month it wanted to remove the statue of Rhodes after a campaign by those who argued the statue glorifies racism and is an insult to black students. Johnson told an English newspaper he did not want to see the statue pulled down. It would, he said, be like "trying to bowdlerise or edit our history ... like some politician sneakily trying to change his Wikipedia entry," the Standard reported. "I’m pro-heritage, I’m pro-history, and I’m in favour of people understanding our past with all its imperfections," he said. Johnson urged people not to be reckless, warning that more local lockdowns could follow citing example of Leicester. "The public need to stay alert and realise that the threat is not over. Follow the guidance and behave responsibly so that this virus cannot re-emerge in communities across the country," he said. The statement came before the opening of pubs, restaurants and other businesses in England this weekend.

'I’m pro-heritage': PM Boris Johnson against Oxford's decision to remove Rhodes statue

Across the world, 'Black Lives Matter' has turned into a movement, from a protest, to highlight the racism faced by the African American community, especially in the US.

BLM Protests: Oxford college backs removal of Cecil Rhodes statue

<p>Across the world, 'Black Lives Matter' has turned into a movement, from a protest, to highlight the racism faced by the African American community, especially in the US.</p>

<p>As the movement is covering a larger ground, people are bringing down the statues of the pre and post colonial "heroes" who not only supported and promoted, but also took part in slavery and racist practices.</p>

<p>One such campaign,&nbsp;&nbsp;#RhodesMustFall started back in 2015 in South Africa, demanding the removal&nbsp;of a statue of Rhodes at Cape Town University. However, Oriel College denied the request stating the statue would be "an important reminder of the complexity of history".</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-removes-slave-trader-robert-milligans-statue-outside-london-museum-304708"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Britain removes slave trader Robert Milligan's statue outside London museum</strong></a></p>
<img alt="Cecil Rhodes statue in Oriel college" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3735935-3154-4fb1-934b-b5801e68dfdb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_132.jpg" />
<p>Now, with the movement in full swing, Oriel college, an Oxford University college, has finally decided to&nbsp;remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes as it&nbsp;has been a target of anti-racism protests, though the decision would be made independently.</p>

<p>"Rhodes must fall" has been a popular slogan for the past few years now, as he is believed to have&nbsp;expressed racist beliefs and implemented racial segregation measures that started 'apartheid'.</p>

<p>Rhodes was a central figure in Britain's colonial project in Southern Africa, giving his name to Rhodesia, present-day Zimbabwe, and founding the De Beers diamond empire.</p>

<p>Officials from Oriel college will be setting up an independent&nbsp;commission of inquiry to look into the issues raised by the protestors, and will take a decision based on&nbsp;Rhodes legacy and&nbsp;college's commitment to diversity.</p>


Across the world, 'Black Lives Matter' has turned into a movement, from a protest, to highlight the racism faced by the African American community, especially in the US. As the movement is covering a larger ground, people are bringing down the statues of the pre and post colonial "heroes" who not only supported and promoted, but also took part in slavery and racist practices. One such campaign, #RhodesMustFall started back in 2015 in South Africa, demanding the removal of a statue of Rhodes at Cape Town University. However, Oriel College denied the request stating the statue would be "an important reminder of the complexity of history". Also read: Britain removes slave trader Robert Milligan's statue outside London museum Now, with the movement in full swing, Oriel college, an Oxford University college, has finally decided to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes as it has been a target of anti-racism protests, though the decision would be made independently. "Rhodes must fall" has been a popular slogan for the past few years now, as he is believed to have expressed racist beliefs and implemented racial segregation measures that started 'apartheid'. Rhodes was a central figure in Britain's colonial project in Southern Africa, giving his name to Rhodesia, present-day Zimbabwe, and founding the De Beers diamond empire. Officials from Oriel college will be setting up an independent commission of inquiry to look into the issues raised by the protestors, and will take a decision based on Rhodes legacy and college's commitment to diversity.

Oxford college wants to remove statue of colonialist Rhodes after #RhodesMustFall spreads

<p>Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the removal of the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oxford University college.</p>

<p>The protesters spearheading the &nbsp;"Rhodes Must Fall" movement chanted &nbsp;"take it down" and "decolonise" as they clenched their fists in memory of African-American George Floyd&nbsp;who was killed by a policeman in Minneapolis triggering worldwide outrage.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Big up everyone in Oxford demanding <a href="https://twitter.com/OrielOxford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OrielOxford</a> take down the statue of mass murdering white supremacist Cecil Rhodes. You are educating the nation: without confronting our past, we can’t overcome today’s racism <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RhodesMustFall?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RhodesMustFall</a> <a href="https://t.co/MEHdQUospA">pic.twitter.com/MEHdQUospA</a></p>
— Owen Jones says join a union🌹 (@OwenJones84) <a href="https://twitter.com/OwenJones84/status/1270414992035270657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Susan Brown, Oxford city council leader, called for the removal of Cecil Rhodes statue even as local MP Layla Moran said Rhodes a "white supremacist who does not represent the values of Oxford in 2020".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happening now: We are hundreds of people gathered in front of the Cecil Rhodes statue in Oxford. People refuse to learn, teach and live under the shadow of slave traders, colonialists and racists.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RhodesMustFall?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RhodesMustFall</a> <a href="https://t.co/kSVEZlLg9D">pic.twitter.com/kSVEZlLg9D</a></p>
— Dilar Dirik (@Dlrdrk1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dlrdrk1/status/1270385841492369408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The protests over colonial statues&nbsp;have takeover over Britain in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing in the US with demonstrators defacing the statue of former British&nbsp;Prime Minister Winston Churchill in central London over racism.</p>

<p>The city council had earlier removed the statue of slave trade Robert Milligan from outside the London museum in Docklands district with mayor Sadiq Khan declaring a "review" of monuments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson sympathising with the protesters said he &nbsp;understood the "depth of emotion", stating,"We who lead and who govern simply can't ignore those feelings because in too many cases, I am afraid, they will be founded on a cold reality." The British prime minister however cautioned against acts of vandalism.</p>

<p>Earlier, protesters had pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston and thrown&nbsp;it in the harbour amid large scale anti-racism demonstration in the southwestern city of Bristol.</p>


Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the removal of the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oxford University college. The protesters spearheading the "Rhodes Must Fall" movement chanted "take it down" and "decolonise" as they clenched their fists in memory of African-American George Floyd who was killed by a policeman in Minneapolis triggering worldwide outrage.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the removal of the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oxford University college. The protesters spearheading the "Rhodes Must Fall" movement chanted "take it down" and "decolonise" as they clenched their fists in memory of African-American George Floyd who was killed by a policeman in Minneapolis triggering worldwide outrage. Big up everyone in Oxford demanding @OrielOxford take down the statue of mass murdering white supremacist Cecil Rhodes. You are educating the nation: without confronting our past, we can’t overcome today’s racism #RhodesMustFall pic.twitter.com/MEHdQUospA — Owen Jones says join a union🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 9, 2020 × Susan Brown, Oxford city council leader, called for the removal of Cecil Rhodes statue even as local MP Layla Moran said Rhodes a "white supremacist who does not represent the values of Oxford in 2020". Happening now: We are hundreds of people gathered in front of the Cecil Rhodes statue in Oxford. People refuse to learn, teach and live under the shadow of slave traders, colonialists and racists.#RhodesMustFall pic.twitter.com/kSVEZlLg9D — Dilar Dirik (@Dlrdrk1) June 9, 2020 × The protests over colonial statues have takeover over Britain in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing in the US with demonstrators defacing the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in central London over racism. The city council had earlier removed the statue of slave trade Robert Milligan from outside the London museum in Docklands district with mayor Sadiq Khan declaring a "review" of monuments. Prime Minister Boris Johnson sympathising with the protesters said he understood the "depth of emotion", stating,"We who lead and who govern simply can't ignore those feelings because in too many cases, I am afraid, they will be founded on a cold reality." The British prime minister however cautioned against acts of vandalism. Earlier, protesters had pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston and thrown it in the harbour amid large scale anti-racism demonstration in the southwestern city of Bristol.

Protesters demand removal of Cecil Rhodes statue from Oxford University

<p>Britain removed slave trader&nbsp;Robert Milligan's statue from outside the Museum of London Docklands on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UPDATE: The statue of slave trader Robert Milligan has now been removed from West India Quay.<br />
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It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a><a href="https://t.co/ca98capgnQ">pic.twitter.com/ca98capgnQ</a></p>
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/1270425865273389056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Tonight, the statue of slave trader Robert Milligan no longer stands at West India Quay," the London mayor announced.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces.<br />
<br />
Tonight, the statue of slave trader Robert Milligan no longer stands at West India Quay. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a><a href="https://t.co/vN4RUOQANx">pic.twitter.com/vN4RUOQANx</a></p>
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/1270452165258207232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Protesters had earlier torn down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol. The statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was defaced amid anti-racism rally in London over African-American George Floyd's death by a Minneapolis cop on May 25.</p>

<p>The Museum of London Docklands said, "The monument is part of the ongoing problematic regime of white-washing history, which disregards the pain of those who are still wrestling with the remnants of the crimes Milligan committed against humanity."</p>

<p>The Canal and River Trust said it had worked with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Canary Wharf to remove Robert Milligan's stature.</p>

<p>The London mayor said a new commission had been unveiled to review and improve the "diversity of London’s public landmarks".</p>

<p>"We must commemorate the achievements and diversity of all in our city - and that includes questioning which legacies are being celebrated," Sadiq Khan said.</p>


Britain removed slave trader Robert Milligan's statue from outside the Museum of London Docklands on Tuesday. "It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said.

Britain removed slave trader Robert Milligan's statue from outside the Museum of London Docklands on Tuesday. "It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said. UPDATE: The statue of slave trader Robert Milligan has now been removed from West India Quay. It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces. #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/ca98capgnQ — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 9, 2020 × "Tonight, the statue of slave trader Robert Milligan no longer stands at West India Quay," the London mayor announced. It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces. Tonight, the statue of slave trader Robert Milligan no longer stands at West India Quay. #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/vN4RUOQANx — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 9, 2020 × Protesters had earlier torn down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol. The statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was defaced amid anti-racism rally in London over African-American George Floyd's death by a Minneapolis cop on May 25. The Museum of London Docklands said, "The monument is part of the ongoing problematic regime of white-washing history, which disregards the pain of those who are still wrestling with the remnants of the crimes Milligan committed against humanity." The Canal and River Trust said it had worked with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Canary Wharf to remove Robert Milligan's stature. The London mayor said a new commission had been unveiled to review and improve the "diversity of London’s public landmarks". "We must commemorate the achievements and diversity of all in our city - and that includes questioning which legacies are being celebrated," Sadiq Khan said.

Britain removes slave trader Robert Milligan's statue outside London museum

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'I’m pro-heritage': PM Boris Johnson against Oxford's decision to remove Rhodes statue

BLM Protests: Oxford college backs removal of Cecil Rhodes statue

Oxford college wants to remove statue of colonialist Rhodes after #RhodesMustFall spreads

Protesters demand removal of Cecil Rhodes statue from Oxford University

Britain removes slave trader Robert Milligan's statue outside London museum