While scenes were criticized by members of the UK government – Home Secretary Priti Patel told Sky News the incident was ‘extremely embarrassing’ – six-time world champion Hamilton wrote in an Instagram story that “our country honored a man who sold African slaves. “
His statue has stood in the city since 1895, but its presence has become increasingly controversial.
“All the statues of racist people who made money selling people should be torn down! What’s next?” said British F1 star, who has often spoken eloquently and passionately about the issue of racial injustice, especially since the death of George Floyd.
“I challenge the government”
In another post to his Instagram story, the 35-year-old challenged “government officials around the world to make these changes and carry out the peaceful removal of these racist symbols”.
Around the world, protesters flooded the streets for the second weekend in a row in memory of Floyd’s death and called for an end to racial injustice.
Hamilton has consistently used his platform to support peaceful protests and called on his fellow drivers to do the same.
The 2020 Formula 1 season has been temporarily postponed due to the pandemic, but should start in Austria on July 5th.
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