The 190th anniversary of emancipation in 1834 has been celebrated by the community group Imagine Bermuda, which called on residents to “emancipate our minds” over the Cup Match holiday.

Glenn Fubler, the founder of the group, said August 1 marked the gaining of “freedom for people who had been enslaved for at least two centuries under the British Empire”.

A celebration of emancipation will be led by the group Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda at City Hall on Wednesday, the eve of the commemoration.

Mr Fubler said this Cup Match would mark the fourth year of the Haitian flag flying at the venue, with Kyle Denbrook, the vice-president of St George’s Cricket Club, passing the flag over to Nadir Wade, the vice-president of Somerset Cricket Club — this year’s hosts of the Annual Classic.

The Caribbean nation played a vital role in the movement towards the universal abolition of slavery with the Haitian Revolution from 1791 to 1804 against French colonial rule, which ended slavery.

Mr Fubler said a declaration marking the milestone of emancipation was signed by the heads of community organisations across the island.

“Here we are in 2024, when the concept of the importance of life is so vital, as we can see here in our streets and around the world,” Mr Fubler said, as he urged people to “emancipate our own minds and reflect”.

He added: “As we enjoy this holiday, we ask people to to reflect on the importance of this, and the significance of our elders, who brought this about — to know that why we are here today is because of the work done in the past, not only in emancipation but subsequently the many years of segregation that took place.”

Stacey-Lee Williams, the executive director of Curb, said that from noon until 1.30pm on Wednesday, the group will hold a commemoration with speeches from Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, alongside Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton.

They will be joined by representatives from Imagine Bermuda, Bermuda is Love, Social Justice Bermuda, the Islamic community and the Anglican Church.

Ms Williams said: “Curb are very pleased to be championing this cause this month.”

There will also be performances from the City Singers, and singer Robert Sai Emory.

The Imagine Bermuda declaration stated: “In observing this 190th anniversary, we express appreciation to all who, over decades, sustained the movement which brought that shift, that renaissance.

“We also express support for any inquiry into slavery’s impact on subsequent generations, and seek to learn from that tragic chapter in human history.

“We understand that the centuries of slavery and the subsequent system of segregation were justified by power elites on the fallacious social construct intended to dehumanise people of colour.

“In this regard today, we reaffirm the sacred humanity of every one of us who shares the planet.”

At the close of the ceremony, Mr Denbrook handed over the Haitian flag to Mr Wade.