Queen Victoria and Captain Cook statues VANDALISED in woke Australian protest claiming 'the colony will fall'
A Queen Victoria monument was covered in paint in an apparent protest on the eve of Australia Day
Reuters
Two statues in Melbourne have been cut down and sprayed with red paint in an apparent protest on the eve of Australia Day.
A century-old Captain James Cook was slashed and vandalised with the words "The colony will fall", while a Queen Victoria monument was covered in paint.
It comes ahead of the anniversary of the 1788 landing of Britain's First Fleet at Sydney Cove and the start of the colonial era.
Police say the late night incident in Melbourne is being investigated.
Police say the late night incident in Melbourne is being investigated
Reuters
Victoria Police said: "It is understood the [Cook] statue was sawn off at the ankles. Several people were seen loitering in the area around the time of the incident."
The monument honours Cook's 1768-1771 voyage which paved the way for a decision to send the First Fleet led by Captain Arthur Phillip.
The statue has been vandalised on or around 26 January for a number of years, including in 2018 when it was graffitied with the words "no pride" and an Aboriginal flag was placed next to it.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the vandalism, adding that it has"no place in our community".
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She said: "We'll be working with council to repair and reinstate the statue in St Kilda."
The Queen Victoria memorial is also set to be cleaned.
Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo said that while she understood the "diverse views surrounding Australia Day" she could not condone "the vandalism of a public asset where costs will be ultimately borne by ratepayers".
A security guard was due to protect the Cook statue on Thursday but the vandalism took place before they were expected to arrive.
A century-old Captain James Cook was slashed and vandalised with the words 'The colony will fall'
Reuters
Many Indigenous Australians disagree with the celebration of a date which they say represents the theft of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands.
The latest opinion polls suggest around 60 per cent of Australians support Australia Day.
A series of "Invasion Day" protests have become more frequent over recent years.