Vandals behead statue of King George V in Melbourne
- Anonymous activists decapitated the statue of King George V in Melbourne on the King's birthday holiday.
- The vandals dedicated the destruction to King Charles, with a video posted online featuring a punk rock soundtrack.
- Assaults on royal and colonial-era monuments continue to take place in the city.
A statue of King George V in Melbourne was decapitated by vandals who dedicated the attack to King Charles. The incident occurred on a public holiday marking the current King's official birthday. This attack is part of a series of vandalism on statues of British figures in Australia, including Queen Victoria and Captain Cook. Some have criticized corporate gestures like Qantas' 'Acknowledgment of Country' for Aboriginal culture, questioning their impact on Indigenous causes. Former Prime Minister John Howard believes colonization by the British was beneficial for Australia. Recent vandalism incidents have sparked debates on division in Australia over issues like climate change and immigration. The vandalism of colonial statues has led to police investigations and calls for information from the public.