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Activists place KKK hood on Oxford statue ahead of speaker event

Oxford, England, United Kingdom · Nov 12, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Nov 12.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Activism opposing an upcoming talk at Oriel College by US academic Nathan Cofnas and protesting the college's retention of the Cecil Rhodes statue.
What they want
To protest the hosting of Nathan Cofnas and demand the removal of the Cecil Rhodes statue.
What changed
Nov 12: Activist group Led By Donkeys placed a Ku Klux Klan hood and a 'Racists welcome here' sign on the Cecil Rhodes statue.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Remove the Cecil Rhodes statue from Oriel College
  • Cancel the talk by Nathan Cofnas

Organised by: Led By Donkeys, Rhodes Must Fall Oxford

What authorities say

Oriel College stated it is 'committed to upholding freedom of speech within the law and has a statutory duty to do so.'2

The full story

Activism group Led By Donkeys placed a Ku Klux Klan hood and a sign reading 'Racists welcome here' over the statue of Cecil Rhodes outside Oriel College in Oxford. The stunt was carried out ahead of an upcoming college talk by US academic Nathan Cofnas, who previously made public plagiarism accusations against late Cambridge professor Jason Arday. Led By Donkeys stated the intervention was in solidarity with students opposing the college's association with white supremacists and its continued display of the Rhodes statue. The statue and the upcoming talk have drawn widespread controversy and criticism from students, staff, and campaigners. According to Cherwell, the hood and sign were subsequently removed.

Timeline

  1. Cherwell reported that the KKK hood and sign were removed from the statue.3

  2. Led By Donkeys placed a Ku Klux Klan hood and a sign on the Cecil Rhodes statue outside Oriel College.123

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