Rally celebrates statue removal

HALIFAX — A group of demonstrators sang an Indigenous honour song on Sunday at the site where a statue of Halifax’s controversial founder stood just days before.

Dozens of people gathered in downtown Halifax to revel in the removal of a bronze figure of Edward Cornwallis from the park bearing his name.

Cornwallis is a disputed character, seen by some as a brave leader who founded Halifax, but by others as the impetus of a 1749 scalping proclamation against Mi’kmaq inhabitants.

The statue “had such a nice view,” organizer Suzanne Patles said with a laugh as she stood atop the empty concrete pedestal. “But it’s our view now, because we’re taking over ... It’s time for the Indigenous uprising.”

The event had originally been billed as a “Removing Cornwallis” rally to protest the statue, which had stood in Edward Cornwallis Park for roughly 85 years. It was taken down last week after Halifax councillors voted 12-4 to temporarily place the monument in storage while awaiting a decision about its longterm fate.

After a municipal process to re-examine Cornwallis commemorations was derailed about a week ago, Halifax council considered a staff report that highlighted rising tensions around the statue, saying Sunday’s protest could result in clashes between protesters, damage to the statue and personal injury.