Slavery: the Tuileries Garden memorial is long overdue during the ceremonies of May 23
Between the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, nearly 150,000 slaves were deported from the port of Bordeaux (Illustrative image).
RFI / Pierre René-Worms
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The commemoration in memory of the victims of slavery was held during the day of May 23, in several Parisian suburbs and in particular in Saint-Denis in the north of Paris.
As we celebrate the 20 years of the Taubira law recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity, after the celebrations of May 10, this day honors the victims of slavery.
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The ceremony started with the officials, then it gave way to emotion. After a minute of silence, hundreds of anonymous slipped flowers into a sculpture on which are inscribed the names and numbers of the slaves: “
Every year, I come. We're all descendants of slaves. All of these names are somebody's ancestors. It's a moment that touches me a lot.
"
But the question on everyone's lips is that of the construction of a memorial which should be installed in the Tuileries Gardens.
Serge Romana, President of the Slavery and Reconciliation Foundation: “
Putting names - 200,000 names - in the Tuileries Garden is not something that is easily done.
We were able to get President Macron to commit to this.
The president made his decision, but the culture ministry never said he was okay with it.
"
While waiting for the construction of this memorial to honor the slaves, tribute ceremonies continue, especially in the overseas departments.
►Also listen: The march of the world - Slavery, our history: the 20 years of the Taubira law
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Slavery