Mayor Biggs statement on Robert Milligan statue

A statement from Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs on the statue of Robert Milligan at West India Quay:

“The removal of the statue of a slave trader in Bristol this weekend and the Black Lives Matter campaign has made us all reflect on the symbolism of these historical representations, and I understand the strength of feeling about the statue of the slave trader Robert Milligan in West India Quay.

“I’ve put pressure on the owners of the land for it to be removed, and have also asked for council officers to carry out a review of what other symbols including statues are in the borough and who owns the land they’re on.

“The East End has a proud history of fighting injustice – but we must also face up to our past and learn from it to continue our fight against racism and intolerance today.”

Mayor John Biggs|A statement from Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs on the statue of Robert Milligan at West India Quay:

“The removal of the statue of a slave trader in Bristol this weekend and the Black Lives Matter campaign has made us all reflect on the symbolism of these historical representations, and I understand the strength of feeling about the statue of the slave trader Robert Milligan in West India Quay.

“I’ve put pressure on the owners of the land for it to be removed, and have also asked for council officers to carry out a review of what other symbols including statues are in the borough and who owns the land they’re on.

“The East End has a proud history of fighting injustice – but we must also face up to our past and learn from it to continue our fight against racism and intolerance today.”

Mayor John Biggs