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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
World
Rod Minchin, PA & Alan Johnson

Banksy designs T-shirt in support of Colston statue accused

Banksy will be selling T-shirts in support of four people facing trial accused of criminal damage in relation to the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in June 2020.

The anonymous artist took to Instagram to post pictures of the limited edition grey souvenir T-shirts, which will go on sale on Saturday (December 11) in Bristol.

The shirts show an image of Colston’s empty plinth with a rope hanging off, with debris and a discarded sign nearby and BRISTOL written above.

He artist said proceeds from the sale will be given to the four people facing trial next week in the city accused of criminal damage.

In one post Banksy said: "Next week the four people charged with pulling down Colston’s statue in Bristol are going on trial.

"I’ve made some souvenir shirts to mark the occasion. Available from various outlets in the city from tomorrow. All proceeds to the defendants so they can go for a pint."

Bristol-based Banksy said sales would be limited to one per person with each t-shirt would cost £25 plus VAT.

Rhian Graham, 29, Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 36, and Sage Willoughby, 21, face trial at Bristol Crown Court from Monday.

The bronze memorial to the 17th century slave merchant was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest before being dumped in Bristol Harbour and subsequently recovered by Bristol City Council.

Charges allege that the four defendants, without lawful excuse, jointly and with others, damaged the statue, a listed monument belonging to the city council.

The defendants are accused of committing the offence "intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged".

For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.

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