A monument to millions of slaves who died crossing the Atlantic could be erected in Bermuda later this year.

Campaigners are hoping to install the 15-foot Middle Passage Monument as part of celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The stainless steel structure has already been built and is currently being stored in St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, while plans are finalised to transport it to the Island, most likely to Dockyard.

Organisers hope it will serve as a permanent reminder of the mistakes of history and help people remember the need to fight against modern day slavery which is still plaguing parts of the world.

The plan has been in the pipeline since an identical monument was lowered to the bottom of the ocean in a ceremony which attracted global interest about eight years ago.

It is hoped bicentenary celebrations this year — including a memorial service at the Cathedral and a commemoration at Commissioner's House — have now helped paved the way for a lasting tribute on the Island.

The project is the brainchild of international group Homeward Bound Foundation, which wants to set up similar monuments in a host of other countries which were affected by slavery. Bermuda is expected to be the first because of its location in the Atlantic.

The Emperial [NOTE]corr sp[\NOTE] Group of Companies, which incorporates Spanish Town Entertainment, has been campaigning from the Island.

Group spokesman Gavin Smith, who has been involved in talks over the monument for several years, said: "There's a lot of healing that needs to take place in Bermuda. For a long time, it has been as if the events of the past have been swept under the carpet, and people have been expected to move on.

"That's fine, but there are a lot of very real issues directly relating from transgressions which need to be resolved.

"We all work together, but when it comes to playing and being social together, they're very different worlds. I feel history affects both sides.

"This monument is not about placing blame, but incorporating the truth — that's the first step. The whole campaign has been very spiritual."

The group says it wants to gauge the feeling of the public before confirming the initiative will go ahead.

"A lot of people I have spoken to feel it's about time," added Mr. Smith. "Many people take things for granted and don't think about the history. But there's no way to get around it — our country was a part of slavery."

The monument takes the form of two overlapping arcs — symbolising the need for the past, present and future to converge. The original one was placed in the Atlantic in July 1999 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Emancipation in the Danish West Indies.

Homeward Bound Foundation president Wayne James, of St. Croix, said it served as a gravestone to millions of Africans who died crossing the ocean en route to slavery in the New World between the 15th and 19th centuries. Many of those slaves ended up in Bermuda as a result of shipwrecking, although others were deliberately sent here from Africa.

Karima Smith, an American, was present for the 1999 ceremony and describes it as one of the most moving experiences of her life. She has remained involved with the Homeward Bound Foundation ever since.

"The same thing that we experienced with the ceremony, people could experience with the monument in Bermuda," she said.

"We didn't know how we could go back and start our healing process. With a monument like that, you could go back and touch something. It's something you can walk through. It could make a difference."

The cost of the project, how funds will be raised and the means of transportation are still in discussion. The time scale will depend on the reaction from the public.

The Royal Gazette has been marking the bicentenary of the Slave Trade Act with its Break The Chains campaign, which highlights the plight of at least 12 million modern day slaves. We have been calling for world leaders to take action to end all forms of human captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

To sign Anti-Slavery International's on-line petition, visit www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details.

To give your opinions on the plans for a monument to the Middle Passage in Bermuda call 278-8359 or email tsmith@royalgazette.bm.