Black Lives Matter organiser denies fraud charges over Colston statue protest fundraiser

A Black Lives Matter organiser has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges relating to fundraising pages set up around the time of the demonstration in Bristol that ended with a statue of Edward Colston being toppled into the city’s harbour.

Xahra Saleem, 22, of Romford, east London, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday accused of two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

The Colston statue was pushed into Bristol harbour on June 7, 2020 during protests related to the death of George Floyd in the US, and the subsequent global BLM movement.

Ms Saleem is accused of being one of the organisers of the protest and had set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for face masks and other equipment.

Following the protest, it is alleged that none of the money arrived with a charity. 

The defendant is also accused of setting up a fundraising page following the protest to raise money for the legal costs of those facing charges. Those funds are again alleged not to have been handed over. 

The charges state that on June 24, 2020, Ms Saleem committed fraud in that “while occupying a position, namely director, in which she was expected to safeguard, or not act against, the financial interests of Changing Your Mindset Ltd, she dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely used the funds raised for herself contrary to section 1 and 4 of the the Fraud Act 2006”.

They add that on June 29, 2020, Ms Saleem committed fraud in that “while occupying a position, namely organiser, in which she was expected to safeguard, or not act against, the financial interests of the ABL Bristol, she dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely used the funds raised for yourself contrary to section 1 and 4 of the the Fraud Act 2006”.

Ms Saleem was taken into court wearing a black niqab and long navy blue trench coat and spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, and state her not guilty pleas.

Lynne Matthews, the district judge, told the defendant that due to the seriousness of the case it would have to be dealt with at the crown court.

Ms Saleem will next appear at Bristol Crown Court on Jan 30, 2023.