‘A win for common decency’ - Reaction as Colston 4 cleared of criminal damage in Colston statue toppling

Some praised the group as ‘heroes’ with others branding them ‘a bunch of vandals’
Sophie Wills
By Sophie Wills
Published 5th Jan 2022, 17:34 BST
Updated 5th Jan 2022, 20:22 BST
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Bristolians have shared their reaction to the ‘not guilty’ verdict of the Colston 4 - with some deeming the group ‘heroes’ after they were cleared of criminal damage charges in the topping of the Edward Colston statue.

The 17th Century statue of the slave trader was pulled down and plunged into the harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.

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Applause sounded from the public gallery as Rhian Graham, 30, from Easton; Milo Ponsford, 26, from Bishopstoke, Hampshire; Jake Skuse, 37, from Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire and Sage Willoughby, 22, of Gloucester Road were acquitted at Bristol Crown Court today (Wednesday, January 5).

The toppling received a mixed response at the time, and the reaction to the verdict was no different as people flocked to Twitter to convey their views.

(L-R) Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby, Jake Skuse and Rhian Graham, collectively known as the ‘Colston 4’, pose for a photograph outside Bristol Crown Court.(L-R) Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby, Jake Skuse and Rhian Graham, collectively known as the ‘Colston 4’, pose for a photograph outside Bristol Crown Court.
(L-R) Milo Ponsford, Sage Willoughby, Jake Skuse and Rhian Graham, collectively known as the ‘Colston 4’, pose for a photograph outside Bristol Crown Court.

Madeline Odent tweeted: “I have a lot of feelings about the #Colston4 and the dominant one is relief.

“Doing what is right is not always doing what is legal, and I’m glad that in this case, the law recognised what was moral.”

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And @LiquidLibraryyy tweeted: “So great to see the Colston 4 acquitted.

“Here’s to many more legacies of blood and slavery dragged to the bottom of the ocean.”

@BThroughParty said the group should be celebrated as ‘heroes’, with Clive Stevens calling the verdict ‘a win for common decency’.

But many were unhappy with the verdict and concerned about how it would affect future proceedings.

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Charlotte Gill branded the verdict a ‘dangerous precedent’, adding: “I also hate how they’re called “The Colston 4” like some legendary group, not the bunch of vandals they are, whose best achievement is fighting an inanimate object.”

And @CopWatchUK tweeted: “It is shameful that the defendants were found not guilty of criminal damage.

“It is never acceptable to damage the property of others.

“I strongly condemn the actions of the Colston 4. I believe the verdict will give others the green light to commit criminal damage in the future.”

Related topics:Black Lives MatterBristol