Enslaved African man's headstone in Bristol graveyard is vandalised in suspected 'retaliation attack'

A police investigation has been launched after the grave of an enslaved African man in St Mary's churchyard was smashed in two
PA

The grave of an African man who was enslaved in the 18th century has been vandalised in an apparent "retaliation attack" in Bristol.

Two headstones in memory of Scipio Africanus were smashed and a message was scrawled in chalk on flagstones nearby.

The act of vandalism is believed to be a "retaliation attack" after anti-racism protesters toppled the statue of slave trader Edward Colston on June 7.

The message left near the vandalised gravestone called for the Colston statue to be put back up or "things will really heat up".

Police said the damage occurred between 12pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday.

Two headstones in memory of Scipio Africanus were smashed in two
PA

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We have received a report of criminal damage to a monument at Henbury Parish Church.

Our investigation into what happened is at an early stage. Officers have been at the scene and have carried out house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.”

The Grade II-listed, brightly painted memorial to Scipio Africanus, who died aged 18 in 1720, is in St Mary’s churchyard in Henbury, Bristol.

The tomb is an early example of a memorial to a man born into slavery, who ended his life as a servant in an English aristocratic household, Historic England says.

Most of the available information about Scipio Africanus is “inscribed on his tomb”.

The Mayor of Bristol described the memorial as an 'iconic piece of Bristol's history'
PA

He was a servant of Charles Howard, the 7th Earl of Suffolk.

The headstone, which features black cherubs, says he was born in about 1702 and died on December 12 1720.

Scipio Africanus was given his name by the earl or by a previous “owner”, with names of Roman origin frequently chosen for enslaved people, Historic England says.

Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, described the memorial as an “iconic piece of Bristol’s history”.

In a statement following the damage, Bristol Diocese said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear the news yesterday that Scipio Africanus’s headstone has been damaged in Henbury churchyard.

“We’re in touch with the council and the police about the incident and praying for peace and reconciliation.”

Conservative councillor Mark Weston, who represents Henbury and Brentry, said the grave had been “badly damaged”.

He posted images on Facebook and wrote: “This looks like a retaliation attack for the recent events involving the Colston statue.

Protesters throw statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour

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“I am deeply saddened by what is happening. We have seen war memorials defaced and statues vandalised and I have to wonder where this will end.”

On June 7, protesters used ropes to pull the Colston statue, which was erected in 1895, from its plinth in Bristol city centre.

It was then dragged to the harbourside, where it was thrown into the water near Pero’s Bridge – named in honour of enslaved man Pero Jones who lived and died in the city.

Bristol City Council retrieved the statue, which will be displayed in a museum along with placards from the Black Lives Matter protest.

Anyone with information about damage to the grave is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, quoting reference number 5220132067.

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