As Black Lives Matter protests exploded around the world, statues of racists were toppled after mass protests. The trustees of Hackney’s Museum of the Home held a public consultation on whether the statue above its door, of slave trader Robert Geffrye, should come down. Hackney people voted overwhelmingly for its removal.

Then Tory Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden intervened telling the trustees…. ‘The government believes that it is always legitimate to examine and debate Britain’s history, but that removing statues, artworks and other historical objects is not the right approach. As a government-funded organisation, I would expect you to be mindful of the above…’

Hackney Stand Up To Racism and Black Lives Matter has vowed to continue protesting and are organising a boycott movement of the museum - until the statue of Robert Geffrye is taken down. Hackney has spoken. Geffrye will fall.