Explorer Captain James Cook in Whitby Credit: ITV Yorkshire
Whitby town council had said they are proud of Captain James Cook - after tributes to the explorer elsewhere were added to a Topple the Racist website.
In a statement they said that 'by recognising our past was an imperfect time we can tackle today's inequalities and work to build a better future'.
Around three thousand people have joined an online group set up to protect the statue in Whitby.
Meanwhile, a North Yorkshire county councilllor says tensions are running high.
