A group of white men have attempted to try and save the Edward Colston statue from Bristol harbour.

The prominent British slave trader's statue, which has stood on the city's Colston Avenue since 1895, was topped on Sunday the 7th of June by protesters at the Black Lives Matter protest, who proceeded to roll it towards Bristol Harbour, where it was dumped into the River Avon.

The monument bears a divisive history, with over 11,000 residents of Bristol previously having signed a petition to have the statue removed, as well as demanding that the city rename the buildings and streets that were named after the slave trader, per the Independent.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/CorbynistaTeen/status/1270066024377974786?s=20]]

Colston’s slave trade company relocated some 100,000 people from Africa to the Caribbean as slaves, including women and children. Many were branded on their chests with the name of his company, and some 20,000 are believed to have died en route.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/_jackgrey/status/1269625428400132096?s=20]]

Speaking about the incident, Bristol mayor, Marvin Rees, said that the monument was "an affront", and that he felt no "sense of loss".

Avon and Somerset police have since said that a decision was taken not to intervene in the removal of the statue.

According to the BBC, in a statement, the Lord Lt of Bristol said that Edward Colston's monument had become "the lightening rod" for an uncomfortable legacy.

"The unlawful actions of a few have successfully hijacked our attention and are poised to stop us focusing on the real opportunities that are around us," she said. "Yes, there is more to do. However, we have arrived at a new point. Today there is a greater awareness of how the racial divide drags down society as a whole. There is a willingness among the population as a whole to call out injustice, prejudice and racial hatred."

"More importantly, there are those in power that are willing to drive through change to make society better, fairer, more just and productive. We can all act to create a better society and it is imperative to so do."

Group of white men 'try' to save Edward Colston statue from Bristol harbour