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Protests threat to Churchill statue shameful, says Boris Johnson Protests threat to Churchill statue shameful, says Boris Johnson
(32 minutes later)
It is "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill has had to be boarded up because of fears it could be vandalised, the prime minister says.It is "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill has had to be boarded up because of fears it could be vandalised, the prime minister says.
Boris Johnson said the war-time leader had expressed opinions which were "unacceptable to us today" but remained a hero for saving the country from "fascist and racist tyranny".Boris Johnson said the war-time leader had expressed opinions which were "unacceptable to us today" but remained a hero for saving the country from "fascist and racist tyranny".
Protesters daubed "was a racist" on the monument last weekend.Protesters daubed "was a racist" on the monument last weekend.
Mr Johnson said "we cannot try to edit or censor our past".Mr Johnson said "we cannot try to edit or censor our past".
In a series of tweets, he said such monuments were put up by previous generations and urged people to "stay away" amid the coronavirus pandemic.In a series of tweets, he said such monuments were put up by previous generations and urged people to "stay away" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Boarding has been erected to protect the statue, in London's Parliament Square, ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park, which was planned for Saturday but has been brought forward, because of fears there could be clashes with far-right groups.Boarding has been erected to protect the statue, in London's Parliament Square, ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park, which was planned for Saturday but has been brought forward, because of fears there could be clashes with far-right groups.
Other monuments have been removed ahead of protests planned over the weekend, while the Cenotaph war memorial has also been boxed up in London.Other monuments have been removed ahead of protests planned over the weekend, while the Cenotaph war memorial has also been boxed up in London.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said "key statues", including one of Nelson Mandela, would be protected.Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said "key statues", including one of Nelson Mandela, would be protected.
It comes after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into the river in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday.It comes after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into the river in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday.
Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis after a police officer held a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes.Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis after a police officer held a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Mr Johnson said that, while he understood "legitimate feelings of outrage" at what had happened, the "only responsible course of action" was to "stay away from these protests".Mr Johnson said that, while he understood "legitimate feelings of outrage" at what had happened, the "only responsible course of action" was to "stay away from these protests".
They had been "hijacked by extremists intent on violence", he said.They had been "hijacked by extremists intent on violence", he said.
The Metropolitan Police said it was ready to tackle violence directed at officers or property following disorder at anti-racism protests last weekend.
Commander Bas Javid said both Black Lives Matter protestors and right-wing groups would be dealt with using the same tactics but urged all parties to stay at home and make their voices heard in other ways.
He added it was accepted "a very, very small minority" were intent on engaging in violence last weekend but the force "absolutely don't condone...violence of any kind".
While Churchill is credited with helping lead the Allies to victory in WW2, some critics accuse him of racism because of comments he made about Indians.While Churchill is credited with helping lead the Allies to victory in WW2, some critics accuse him of racism because of comments he made about Indians.
He is also blamed by some for the Bengal famine in India in 1943, during which at least three million people are believed to have died after Allied forces halted the movement of food in the region - including through British-run India - following the Japanese occupation of Burma.He is also blamed by some for the Bengal famine in India in 1943, during which at least three million people are believed to have died after Allied forces halted the movement of food in the region - including through British-run India - following the Japanese occupation of Burma.
On Tuesday, a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan was removed from outside the Museum of London Docklands.On Tuesday, a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan was removed from outside the Museum of London Docklands.
The NHS trust which runs Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals in London has said it will remove statues of Thomas Guy and Sir Robert Clayton - both linked to slavery - from public view.The NHS trust which runs Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals in London has said it will remove statues of Thomas Guy and Sir Robert Clayton - both linked to slavery - from public view.
A statue of Scouts movement founder Robert Baden-Powell is also to be removed in Poole, Dorset.A statue of Scouts movement founder Robert Baden-Powell is also to be removed in Poole, Dorset.