A Labour MP in Nottingham says she 'celebrates these acts of resistance' after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down and thrown in a dock during a Black Lives Matter protest.
The controversial bronze statue of the 17th Century slave trader in Bristol was pulled down by anti-racism protesters on Sunday, June 7.
Protesters then dragged the figure to the dock and pushed it beneath the water.
While the act was condemned by Home Secretary Priti Patel and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said it was "criminal", Nottingham east MP Nadia Whittome said a movement is needed that will tear down statues that represent systematic racism.
Posting on Twitter, she said: "I celebrate these acts of resistance.
"We need a movement that will tear down systemic racism and the slave owner statues that symbolise it.
"And we need to win a government that will always be on the side of this movement."
Edward Colston sat on the board of the Royal African Company (RAC) which transported an estimated 80,000 men, women and children on ships from Africa to the Americas.
It is thought more than 20,000 slaves perished while being transported, dying from unsanitary conditions and disease and then being thrown overboard.
The RAC name was also branded on their chests.
Colston's statue has been a controversial part of the city of Bristol, with attempts to remove it or change the wording on the plaque.
The Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said the statue was "an affront" to him, but added he cannot condone criminal damage.
He said: "I know the removal of the Colston statue will divide opinion, as the statue itself has done for many years.
"However it’s important to listen to those who found the statue to represent an affront to humanity."
In Nottingham, thousands of people attended what turned out to be a peaceful protest at the Forest Recreation Ground on Sunday.
Powerful statements, including poetry and music, were read aloud as people united to call an end to racism and socio-economic inequality.
Nottingham City Council's Council House in Old Market Square was however subject to vandalism in the latter part of the afternoon, but young protesters helped with the clean up so the original message "was not lost".
Speaking of the day, Ms Whittome added: "Big up the organisers of the Black Lives Matter demo in Nottingham.
"Well over 2000 people. I was proud to be there as your MP and I will amplify your voices in parliament, until I hope you join me here yourselves."
