Black Lives Matter activist denies fraud over Colston statue fundraisers

A woman appeared in court today (January 3) charged with fraud over money raised in connection with the Black Lives Matter protest which saw Edward Colston’s statue toppled in 2020.

Xahra Saleem, 22, pleaded not guilty to two charges of fraud by abuse of position after they were read out to her during a hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court this morning.

The first charge was that from June 23 2020 to September 22 2021, she allegedly committed fraud in that, while occupying the position of director of Changing Your Mindset Ltd, she dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain for herself.

The second charge was that from June 28 2020 to September 22 2021, she allegedly committed fraud in that, while occupying a position of organiser of ABL Bristol, she dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely used the funds raised, for herself.

The charges follow a fraud investigation by Avon and Somerset Police which looked into money which allegedly went missing from two fundraisers. One was a GoFundMe page called BristBLM for Changing Your Mindset, which was a St Pauls-based youth group, and the other was for people facing criminal proceedings in relation to protests in the city.

Saleem, of Briars Walk in Romford, Havering, will stand trial at Bristol Crown Court where she will next appear on January 30. She was granted unconditional bail.