As reported by HLN, a petition has been started on the internet to replace the removed statue of Belgium’s controversial King Leopold II in Ekeren with that of local hero and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld.

Leopold II was also the Sovereign of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908, and an estimated 10–15 million Africans died during his absolute rule of the Congo.

His statue in Ekeren, like those across the country, was defaced by anti-racism protesters before it was finally removed, and it seems some want that of Alderweireld installed in its place.

Some have started a petition to replace the removed statue of Belgium’s controversial king Leopold II in Ekeren by a local hero: … Toby Alderweireld. #thfc https://t.co/pOPnvOZDWs https://t.co/ijBrm1cboq

— Kristof Terreur