The city council of Hamilton, in New Zealand, Friday removed the statue of a British commander who died in the 19th century to which this city owes its name, like many agglomerations in the world who have decided to re-examine their references historical and colonial.
A crane removed the bronze monument representing Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton on Friday morning, as requested by Maori organizations, while anti-racist associations threatened to destroy it.
The municipal council recognized that this withdrawal, which took place under the cheers of a small group of spectators attending the scene, was part of an effort to rid the public space of the elements of heritage “considered to represent the discord between cultures or repression. “
This examination of conscience was precipitated by the anti-racist movement revived in the United States, then in the world, by the death of the African-American George Floyd at the hands of the police.
“More and more people see this statue as a personal and cultural insult,” said Mayor Paula Southgate.
“We cannot ignore what is happening all over the world, and we should not ignore it. As we try to encourage tolerance and understanding, I do not believe that this statue helps bring people together, “she said.
Hamilton was a commander in the British navy who fought the Maori natives who defended their lands in the face of British colonial expansion in the 19th century. He was killed in 1864 during the Battle of Pukehinahina.
The statue was given in 2013 to the municipal council, which specified that its removal had been requested by the Maori Waikato-Tainui tribe.
Anti-racist protesters said they would destroy the statue this weekend. A Maori activist, Taitimu Maipi, called Hamilton a murderer.
The Waikato-Tainui tribe also undertook to obtain the removal of the statue. She said other legacies from the colonial era were being discussed with city council. She notably mentioned the idea of giving the city its Maori name, Kirikiriroa.
–
