Lambeth statues, parks and streets could be renamed amid slavery anger

Landmarks, statues, and works of art in one borough could be renamed if they have links to “slavery, colonialism, and oppression of black communities”.

Lambeth is to review all its placenames after Sadiq Khan announced a similar review, saying any with links to slavery “should be taken down”.

A statue of slaveholder Robert Milligan has since been removed from outside the Museum of London Docklands.

Black Lives Matter activists have made of a list of 75 UK statues they wish to target.

In Lambeth, that includes a statue of Sir Robert Clayton outside St Thomas’ Hospital.

Once Lord Mayor of London, he was member of the Royal African Company, which shipped more African slaves to the Americas than any other institution in the history of the Atlantic slave trade.

Councillor Sonia Winifred, cabinet member for equalities and culture at the council, announced the council’s audit plans on June 10 via Twitter.

“Lambeth council is launching an audit of all landmarks, statues and works of art in public spaces in the borough for their links to slavery, colonialism and oppression of black communities.

“That audit will be brought to community consultation. #BlackLivesMatter,” she said.

Statues with links to slavery and the oppression of Black people are being removed across the UK in the wake of George Floyd’s death in the US, and the worldwide protests that followed.

Mr Floyd died after police officer Derek Chavin knelt on his neck for nine minutes, including nearly three minutes when Mr Floyd was unresponsive.

Chauvin was fired and charged with second-degree murder and second degree manslaughter, while three officers who were also there were fired and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Anti-racism protesters in Bristol pulled down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston on Sunday (June 7), sparking a chain reaction in the UK.