PROTESTORS who cover the statue of Denbigh explorer Henry Morton Stanley with a giant condom each year will perform the ceremony again this month after repairing the covering.

The protest on August 17 was under threat this year as wear and tear meant a hole in the covering needed to be patched up.

But a dedicated group of local artists and activists, meeting at TOGYG studio and the Bangor African and Caribbean Centre, has meticulously crafted a repair dubbed 'The People’s Panel'. 

This decorated patchwork panel has allowed each contributor to bring their own unique artistic perspective, reflecting on the statue's history, the symbolism of the act and the tradition of protest.

This year marks the 13th anniversary of the traditional protest, as artists and residents gather at in the town's historic square to place the opaque black rubber condom over the statue of the renowned Victorian figure, born in Denbigh in 1841.

The idea was the brainchild of artist Wanda Zyborska. When petitions failed to stop the 'erection' of the statue in the square in 2011, she led a group to begin this artistic protest, which has become an annual event. 

As with other prominent figures from that time, Stanley's work is considered by many to be controversial. His expedition to discover the source of the Congo River in Africa from 1879-84 helped build European influence in the region.

He was also an agent for King Leopold II of Belgium, whose colonisation of the Congo led to the loss of millions of lives.

However supporters of Stanley point to his exploration of the continent and tales of his bravery, such as his expedition to find the Scottish explorer Dr David Livingstone, reportedly greeting him with the famous line: "Dr Livingstone, I presume."   

In 2021 a public vote to remove the statue saw 78.5% of people in Denbigh support it remaining in place. But the protest group remains committed to highlighting Stanley's role in the colonial history of Europe in Africa.
 
"We are honoured to carry forward this tradition of artistic activism," said a spokesperson for the group. "Our patchwork panel speaks to the ongoing dialogue surrounding colonial legacy and its impact on global history."

Councillor Catherine Jones, Mayor of Denbigh, said that she supported the right for the protest to continue.

"We took a vote on this a couple of years ago and the decision was that the statue should remain," she said. "I understand why they protest however and I fully support their right to do so in a peaceful way."
 
Anyone who wishes to join the group for the ceremony on August 17, it will begin at 10.45am in the Factory Ward Car Park behind the square.