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Dickens House Museum and road sign defaced in Broadstairs over racism claims

A road sign and a museum bearing the name of Charles Dickens have been defaced over racism claims.

The street sign on Dickens Road in Broadstairs was spray painted over amid controversy over the author's views on slavery.

The street sign in Dickens Road has been defaced
The street sign in Dickens Road has been defaced

Meanwhile the Dickens House Museum in Victoria Parade was also defaced with graffiti.

The cottage, which was the writer's inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield, was emblazoned with the words "Dickens Racist, Dickens Racist".

Dickens famously penned various novels during his time in Broadstairs and is famed for having lived in Bleak House, a prominent mansion on the cliff overlooking North Foreland and Viking Bay.

His name has been lent to various streets and buildings across the town including the local secondary school.

It is not yet known whether any of these have been targeted.

The Dickens House Museum in Victoria Parade has also been targeted Picture: Chris Davey
The Dickens House Museum in Victoria Parade has also been targeted Picture: Chris Davey

Last week a box was used to cover a controversial plaque commemorating blackface minstrel Uncle Mack, while Thanet District Council looked at whether statues and other commemorative symbols in the district can remain.

But the box was sprayed with pink graffiti by activitist and former district councillor Ian Driver during a Black Lives Matter march.

The Dickens House Museum and Thanet District Council have ben contacted for comment on the latest vandalism.

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