UK Black Lives Matter protests live: Oxford demo to target Rhodes statue

Live coverage and reaction from around the UK as Oxford demonstration against Cecil Rhodes statue expected this evening‘I hear you’: Boris Johnson to Black Lives Matter protestersSadiq Khan orders review of all London statues for slavery linksAre you taking part in UK protests?US protests continue as George Floyd funeral takes place – live updates 2.22pm BST Ahead of the Cecil Rhodes demonstration in Oxford later, the leader of the city council has written to Oxford University to invite it to apply for planning permission to remove the controversial statue. Susan Brown, a Labour councillor, said the monument would be better placed in a museum and that her views are shared by the majority of the city’s councillors.I have today written to Oriel College to invite them to apply for planning permission to remove the statue, as it is a Grade II* listed building. Typically such actions are only allowed in the most exceptional of circumstances. But these are exceptional circumstances, and as a city council we are keen to work with Oriel to help them find the right balance between the laws that protect our historic buildings and the moral obligation to reflect on the malign symbolism of this statue.Have great sympathy with the #RhodesMustFall campaign. Sometimes acts of symbolism are important. It would be a good thing if @OrielOxford were to apply to @OxfordCity for permission (it is a listed building) to remove the statue. 2.12pm BST The Oxford University college at the centre of today’s planned protest over its Cecil Rhodes statue has said it “abhors racism and discrimination in all its forms”. In a statement, Oriel College said it would “continue to debate and discuss the issues raised by the presence on our site of examples of contested heritage relating to Cecil Rhodes”. Its full statement is below. Continue reading…
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