A statue in Cardiff of a Welsh slave trader has been boarded up outside the city’s civic centre as a result of city councillors passing a vote to remove it. The wooden box was erected statue around the statue of Sir Thomas Picton hours after the Cardiff Council passed its vote.
Sir Thomas Picton’s statue was in place since 1916 when it was unveiled by the then-future prime minister, David Lloyd George. Picton was the most senior military officer killed during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. However, he is accused of using the slave trade to build his wealth as well as having a dozen slaves executed during his time as governor of Trinidad during British colonial rule.
Mr Dan De’Ath who is Cardiff’s first black mayor has led the calls for the statue, described by him as being one of a “sadistic 19th century slave-owner”. Mr De’Ath went on to offer his opinion on the toppling of the Edward Colston statue, he said: “Most people were incredibly supportive. They recognise the significance of the statue and what an affront it is to black people. Black lives do matter.
He went on to say : “It’s therefore not appropriate to have such a person as Picton, who caused so much suffering and death and misery during his time as governor of Trinidad, commemorated and celebrated. Statues are not just about history. They are about celebrating the lives of the people they depict and representing a certain set of values. These aren’t the values, he’s not the person, and these aren’t the deeds we want to celebrate and recognise in Cardiff today”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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