61,000 sign Petition for Enslaved Africans Memorial

BY MKUU AMANI

A young African male stands tall upon a concrete plinth. His gaze reflects a steely focus that arrests upon the distant horizon.

Right arm raised, he holds aloft the broken chains and shackles that can no longer be used to enslave him – or any African.

He is one of eight figures that together form the centerpiece of the Enslaved Africans Memorial – a memorial that many hope will one day stand 14ft high, cast in bronze, in the Rose Gardens of London’s Hyde Park.

Its creation was inspired, almost 18 years ago, by a simple question.

A teenage girl of African heritage had just returned from a school trip to the Tower of London when, turning to her teacher, she asked: “Miss, where is our history?”

That teacher was Oku Ekpenyon, the now-former Head of History and current Chairperson of Memorial 2007.

“I didn’t act on it immediately,” Miss Ekpenyon said, “but a little while later I thought yes, there should be some public recognition in this country.

“A group of us got together as volunteers in 2002. We were looking ahead to the bi-centenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 2007 and thought it would be a good idea if, whilst the celebrations were taking place, a memorial could be unveiled.

“That’s why we’re called Memorial 2007. But as you can see, all these years later we’re still working to try and get the memorial erected.”

The £4m cost of the project is one of the major obstacles that Memorial 2007 has been working hard to overcome. They’ve successfully raised almost £100,000 and continue to seek donations.

Despite the shortfall and the disappointment of being informed that the Government won’t be providing funding towards the memorial, Miss Ekpenyon remains optimistic.

“Our current position,” she said, “is to continue fighting, continue fundraising and we would like as many people as possible to sign our petition. The target is 100,000 signatures. We hope that once we reach that target we’ll be in a position to get the memorial debated in Parliament.

“We have just over 61,000 signatures so we still have a long way to go.

“We need to spread the word about the memorial and the support that’s needed. Every pound is important. One pound raised today is one less to find tomorrow so if people could find it in their hearts to make a contribution, no amount is too small.”

Hyde Park was opened to the general public by Charles I in 1637.  The memorial designed by artist Les Johnson and graphically depicting the story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, is intended to offer a location for remembrance in the popular London venue.

People with disabilities will also be able to both access and interact with the memorial.

Key information available in braille form and a maquette size statue enabling tactile access for persons with a visual impairment – just two of the many appealing features included in the design.

With its symbolic, historical and educational significance in mind Miss Ekpenyon views the memorial as a cause that remains worth fighting for.

She added, “Africans had to fight for so long for their freedom. Today, in the twenty-first century we also have to fight for a long time to get a memorial.”

“The transatlantic slave trade and slavery is an integral part of this country’s history. If other events can be memorialized, so can this.”

Memorial 2007 is launching a new website where visitors will be able to find out more  information, view the maquette and buy brand T-Shirts.

In response to Toronto Caribbean Newspaper’s inquiries concerning government funding a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said: “We carefully consider each request for funding. Memorial 2007 approached MHCLG in 2018 and the Department was unable to provide support at that time.”

“We are supportive of the aims of the monument and the organisation. The suffering caused by slavery and the slave trade are among the most dishonourable and abhorrent chapters in human history.”

For more information about Memorial 2007 visit: Memorial 2007

To sign the petition visit: Build Memorial to remember the victims of the slave trade

To make a donation send email to: info@memorial2007.org.uk