George Floyd’s death: Protesters topple idols of 'racist' leaders like Churchill, Columbus

Statues of slave trers, imperialists, and explorers have been facing angst of protesters demonstrating against racial discrimination across world in wake of George Floyd’s death. Protesters around globe have me it clear that y won’t tolerate glorification of historic figures with murky past, be it Italian explorer Christopher Columbus or former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Columbus, who discovered Americas in 1492, apparently brought racism along and launched trans-Atlantic slave tre. Native Americans, who welcomed Columbus with open arms, h to face exploitation and centuries of gecide. Columbus’ statues in Richmond, Minnesota and Boston were toppled or vandalized and even decapitated.

New York Goverr Andrew Cuomo, who himself is an Italian American, said that he understands feelings of people about Columbus and some of his acts but statue has come to represent and signify appreciation for Italian American contribution to New York. 

Churchill - Villain of Bengal Famine

Churchill has been a hero for Britain who led country to victory during World War II, helping end fascist regime of olf Hitler. However, Churchill is also held responsible for millions of deaths during Bengal Famine of 1943 when decided to stockpile food resources for UK’s war efforts. statue of former Prime Minister at London's Parliament Square was defaced with "Churchill" crossed out with black colour and “was a racist” written beneath it.

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A petition on change.org to remove statue of Rober Clive from main square of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has been initiated. petition says that Clive played a central role in seizing control of a large swa of Banglesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and or parts of Souast Asia.

“His actions resulted in ft of Indian treasures and also in famines caused by policies disastrous to local Indian farm production,” res petition.

“While this statue is t anti-black racism, it goes some way to illustrate how embedded racism is in UK,” it ds.

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