Woman in her 20s is arrested after more than £30,000 raised for charity by BLM following toppling of Edward Colston statue in Bristol went missing
A woman has been arrested as part of a Colston statue fraud probe after more than £32,000 raised on behalf of Black Lives Matter following the toppling of the slave trader went missing.
Police launched an investigation after a youth charity reported they had not received any donations from the crowdfunding page set up that was connected to the historic demonstration.
The female suspect, in her 20s, has now been questioned under caution about the missing money raised after the Edward Colston statue was toppled in Bristol on June 7, 2020.The Bristol-based Black Lives Matter group called BrisBLM set up a fundraiser for a youth charity which attracted more than £32,000 in donations after the Edward Colston statue was toppled and drew global attention to the cause.
The fundraising page, which has since been removed, told donors the money would go to Bristol-based youth charity Changing Your Mindset and the appeal was promoted during speeches ahead of the march.
A woman has been arrested after money has not been donated to the Bristol based youth charity it was collected for in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protest in the city last year. Pictured: Protesters throw statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a BLM protest
But a spokesperson from the charity confirmed a complaint had been made to Avon and Somerset police as more than a year later it had not received a penny.
They said: 'Changing Your Mindset can confirm that on May 25, 2021, an allegation was made to Avon and Somerset police in relation to the non receipt of funds raised from the GoFundMe BrisBLM For Changing Your Mindset appeal, and that Avon and Somerset police have advised that they are now carrying out an investigation.
'We thank those that have been affected for their patience.'
Members of the community and parents were reportedly told the news at a public meeting last month and expressed widespread anger and shock.
Avon and Somerset police confirmed that a woman was arrested last week and questioned.
A spokesperson added: 'Enquiries are continuing following an allegation of theft.
People cheered after the statue to the 17th Century slave trader was dumped into the water during a Black Lives Matter protest this summer as tensions grew over Britain's colonial past
Pictured: The GoFundMe page was shared by the charity and has since been removed but the charity say they have not received a penny of the £32,000 raised before it was closed down
'A female in her 20s was arrested on July 12, and was subsequently released under investigation.'
The bronze memorial to the 17th century slave merchant was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 7 in 2020, before being dumped in Bristol Harbour.
The statue was torn down amid growing tensions about Britain's colonial past, sparked by global outcry following the death of George Floyd in the US.
Floyd was killed when white police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds despite his desperate pleas that he 'can't breathe'. He passed out and later died in Minneapolis on May 25.
His death is seen as a symbol of systemic police brutality against African-Americans sparking outrage and largely-peaceful protests first across the US before quickly spreading worldwide.
The toppling generated worldwide publicity for the event and subsequently the crowdfunding appeal was inundated with donations and closed at £32,334.
Pictured: The statue of Edward Colston has since been retrieved from the harbour and now sits in the M Shed museum in Bristol while its long-term future is determined via a consultation
In the aftermath, Bristol Black Lives Matter group changed its name to All Black Lives Bristol, and affiliated its to a national All Black Lives UK organisation.
All Black Lives UK responded to the allegations and described it as a 'sensitive' case involving mental health issues.
A spokesperson added: 'The situation is sad and upsetting, but one we hope the community can come together to support one another through.
'We will not be adding anything further given the personal nature of the matter.'
The statue of Edward Colston has since been retrieved from the harbour and now sits in the M Shed museum in Bristol while its long-term future is determined.
Four people accused over the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol have denied criminal damage and are due to stand trial next year.
No comments: