A 50-year-old statue of Captain Cook is under threat after activists petitioned for it to be torn down over his links to 'colonialism and genocide'. Two other statues of the explorer, both in Sydney, have already been defaced as Black Lives Matter protests shine a light on racial inequality. The global movement has prompted scrutiny of Australia’s history of colonialism, with growing calls for statues of Captain Cook to be removed. The petition for the Cairns statue to be removed, signed by more than 12,000 people as of Tuesday morning, reads: 'Since 1972, the James Cook statue on Sheridan Street has stood as a symbol of colonialism and genocide. Protesters show their support during the Black Lives Matter Rally at Langley Park on June 13 in Perth (pictured)

Source: Daily Mail June 16, 2020 01:06 UTC