Statues of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria have been torn down in Canada as anger mounts over the deaths of indigenous children at residential schools.
Protesters tied rope around Queen Victoria's neck outside the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg and dragged the statue off of its plinth, chanting "no pride in genocide".
A statue of Queen Elizabeth was also torn off its plinth.
A defaced statue of Queen Victoria lies after being toppled during a rally, following the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children at former indigenous residential schools, outside the provincial legislature on Canada Day in Winnipeg.
SHANNON VANRAES
The protests come amid outrage over the discovery of unmarked graves belonging to Indigenous Canadian children.
They pulled down the statues on July 1 which marks Canada Day – an annual celebration that marks the country’s confederation.
The footage uploaded by Instagram user Lúcia Rios, shows the statue being pulled off its plinth by a group of people who had attached roped to the statue.
According to local media, citing police, at least one person was arrested after the Queen Victoria statue was toppled.
A defaced statue of Queen Elizabeth II lies after being toppled during a rally, following the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children at former indigenous residential schools, outside the provincial legislature on Canada Day in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada July 1, 2021. REUTERS/Shannon VanRaes
SHANNON VANRAES
Protests across Canada were fuelled by the recent discoveries of unmarked grave sites on or near the grounds of former residential schools.
Downing Streetπ condemned the toppling of statues of the Queen and Queen Victoria in Canada during protests over the discovery of unmarked graves belonging to indigenous children.
A No 10 spokesman said: “We obviously condemn any defacing of statues of the Queen.
“Our thoughts are with Canada’s indigenous community following these tragic discoveries and we follow these issues closely and continue to engage with the government of Canada with indigenous matters.”
