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A statue of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell was to be temporarily removed from its site on Poole’s seafront on Thursday over fears it would be targeted by anti-racism protesters.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-statues-removed-down-colston-rhodes-baden-powell-racism-a9560736.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1591878542

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Anger building in #Poole. Former Queen’s Scout Len Bannister vowing to defend the statue of #BadenPowell.

The 79 year old can’t understand why anyone would want it removed. He says @scouts have given him and his family years of pleasure.

More @itvnews @itvmeridian pic.twitter.com/A7iA9jHnIx

— Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) June 11, 2020

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https://twitter.com/SaveStatues/status/1271060522633486337?s=20

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Passionately agree with all of the people of Poole here. Statues and monuments are part of our history & culture, which have been part of communities for decades. It’s not about BLM anymore, it’s about the loony lefties trying to control things. Baden Powell should stay. https://t.co/crtUu9r239

— Kevin Edger (@KEdge23) June 11, 2020

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Robert Baden-Powell statue: 'Livid' Poole residents vow to fight plan to take down monument of Scouts founder https://t.co/JriHuaoW4P

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 11, 2020

Baden-Powell, a British Army officer who started Scouting in 1907, has been accused of racism and of being a Nazi sympathiser.

Thursday 11 June 2020 13:30, UK

Poole residents say they are “livid” and will fight council plans to take down a statue of Robert Baden-Powell – the founder of the Scout movement.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said it is planning to remove the monument temporarily for its protection on police advice.

It said it recognised that some aspects of Baden-Powell’s life “are considered less worthy of commemoration”.

Baden-Powell, a British Army officer who started Scouting in 1907, has been accused of racism and of being a Nazi sympathiser.

Locals have told Sky News they are against the statue’s removal, which comes amid anti-racism Black Lives Matter protests over the death of George Floyd in the US that have sparked calls for the removal of monuments of controversial historical figures.Advertisement

One Poole resident, Tommy Stranack, said: “We feel very strongly about this statue. It is here and it is in that position for a reason.

“This gentleman has helped the lives of 54 million children. His statue is here because it overlooks Brownsea Island, where the Scouts were founded.

For more:

https://news.sky.com/story/robert-baden-powell-statue-livid-poole-residents-vow-to-fight-plan-to-take-down-monument-of-scouts-founder-12004683

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Scout founder Robert Baden-Powell statue to be removed in Poole following criticism from campaigners, accusing him of racism and homophobia https://t.co/zYQHsCjKV1

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 11, 2020

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