In 2020, eleven anti-colonial activists, including five women and six men aged 24 to 54, were prosecuted for the toppling of colonial-era statues in Martinique, viewed as symbols of the island's colonial and enslaving past. The court in Fort-de-France delivered a landmark ruling, acquitting nine of the eleven activists and dispensing the other two from any penalty, citing the political nature of their actions. The court recognized that the destruction of statues of Victor Schoelcher, Joséphine de Beauharnais, and Pierre Belain d’Esnambuc was rooted in political protest against symbols of colonialism and slavery, which are still present in public spaces. The court emphasized that these acts were not ordinary crimes but were motivated by a desire to challenge and denounce historical injustices, framing them as political acts rather than criminal deeds. The court's decision was praised by defense attorneys as a recognition of the symbolic importance of these acts and their context, with some describing it as a historic judgment. The incident drew widespread reactions, including condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron, who called the acts 'firmly condemned' for dishonoring Victor Schoelcher’s memory. The court acknowledged the activists' opposition to statues representing figures linked to slavery and colonial oppression, affirming the political and symbolic dimension of their actions. This case underscores the ongoing debate about how history and memory are represented in public spaces and the importance of understanding historical lessons through such acts of protest.