Lewis Hamilton challenges government as Edward Colston statue torn down in Bristol protest
Lewis Hamilton wants to see changes made across the globe as the Black Lives Matter movement gathers pace.
Bristol: Edward Colston statue thrown into water by protesters
Lewis Hamilton has called on the UK government to remove statues of anyone historically involved in the slave trade from our streets. The F1 champion has challenged power-holders across the globe to erase the "racist symbols" as the Black Lives Matter movement gathers momentum in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minnesota last month.
On Sunday, a statue of 17th Century slave trader Edward Colston was torn down in Bristol before being thrown into the city's harbour.
And Hamilton wants similar action to be taken to remove monuments to those involved in the historic trade, with governments urged to lead the way.
"Slave trader Edward Colston statue pulled down!!!" Hamilton wrote on his Instagram story, alongside a video of the protests in Bristol coming to a head on Sunday.
"Our country honoured a man who sold African slaves! All statues of racist men who made money from selling a human being should be torn down! Which one is next? (raised fist emoji)."
Hamilton followed up his initial post by calling on power-holders to ensure more monuments are gotten rid of.
"I challenge government officials worldwide to make these changes and implement the peaceful removal of these racist symbols," Hamilton wrote.
On Monday, Hamilton urged protesters to take care amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 in the UK alone.
"To those of you who are out protesting, please please still be careful and wear a mask, use hand sanitiser," Hamilton wrote. "There is still very much a risk of getting Covid and we don't want it to keep spreading. So please be safe and take care of yourselves and others (praying hands emoji)."
Hamilton has previously touched upon the struggles he faced coming through the motorsport ranks as a young black man and last week he reflected on them in more detail as he admitted recent developments had stirred up "painful memories".
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"I’ve been reading every day to try to stay on top of everything that’s been happening in our fight against racism, and it’s brought back so many painful memories from my childhood," Hamilton said.
"Vivid memories of the challenges I faced when I was a kid, as I’m sure many of you who have experienced racism or some sort of discrimination have faced.
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"I have spoken so little about my personal experiences because I was taught to keep it in, don’t show weakness, kill them with love and beat them on the track.
"But when it was away from the track, I was bullied, beaten and the only way I could fight this was to learn to defend myself, so I went to karate. The negative psychological effects cannot be measured.
"This is why I drive the way I do, it is far deeper than just doing a sport, I’m still fighting. Thank God I had my father, a strong black figure who I could look up to, that I knew understood and would stand by my side no matter what.
"Not all of us have that but we need to stand together with those who may not have that hero to lean on and protect them. We must unite!
"I have wondered why 2020 seemed so doomed from the start but I’m starting to believe that 2020 may just be the most important year of our lives, where we can finally start to change the systemic and social oppression of minorities.
"We just want to live, have the same chances at education, at life and not have to fear walking down the street, or going to school, or walking into a store whatever it may be. We deserve this as much as anyone.
"Equality is paramount to our future, we cannot stop fighting this fight (raised fist emoji), I for one, will never give up!"