Havelock joins anti-racists list
A statue of Sunderland general Henry Havelock has been added to a list of monuments which campaigners claim “celebrate slavery and racism”.
The memorial to the solider, best known for commanding British Empire troops in India during the 19th Century, has been included on the "Topple the Racists” website set up following Black Lives Matter protests.
But it has seen counter protestors repeat calls for Wearside’s public installations to be guaranteed future protection.
According to the listing on the website: “Henry Havelock was a British Generalknownforhisroleinbrutally suppressing the Indian rebellion of 1857.
“Havelock sieged and retook the city of Kanpur from anti-Empire rebels and massacred its occupiers.
“In the conflict as a whole, 800,000 Indians were killed by British troops.”
Bosses at Sunderland City Council have promised a “conversation” with the public on the future of Wearside’s monuments.
The Sunderland’s Conservative opposition group has launched a petition, now signed by more than 1,200 people, demanding the city council “reject any calls to remove them and to ensure that mobs do not destroy them”.
Graeme Miller, the leader of the council, has insisted bosses “will not support unlawful damage to monuments and statues”.
According to the Topple the Racists website, the campaign, part of the “Stop Trump Coalition”, was inspired by removal of Bristol’s statue of slave trader Edward Colston by protestors.
It adds it wants to promote “debate” and “shine a light on the continued adoration of colonial icons and symbols”.
Conservative councillor William Blackett hit back, saying: “Despite them adding it to their list they fail to mention his role in saving civilians besieged by rebels during the siege of Lucknow.
“Our petition shows that the people of Sunderland do not have much time for the views of such activists and want them and the council to keep their hands off our history.”
The list has previously included two other monuments in Tyne and Wear, both in Newcastle, to Lord Armstrong and Earl Grey, both of which have since been removed.