News Staff

An anti-racism charity has backed plans to erect a statue to a former Bermudian slave whose account of her life fuelled the battle to abolish the trade in human beings in the then-British Empire.

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda said the statue to honour Mary Prince should be “in a central and wheelchair accessible site, in a location with ample parking, so that the people of Bermuda, schoolchildren, and overseas visitors to the African Diaspora Heritage Trail have ease of access, free parking and an educational centre dedicated to Mary Prince so that her work and life can truly be commemorated”.

A spokeswoman added: “This memorial to Mary Prince will also be a place for Bermudians to silently honour the thousands of enslaved Bermudians of African descent buried throughout the island with no headstones or memorial to their memory.”

The History of Mary Prince was published in 1830 and helped turn the tide of public opinion in Britain against slavery, which was abolished in 1834.

The spokeswoman added: “A statute to Mary Prince will be the first in the world and it would be a moving and inspirational addition to the African Diaspora Trail in Bermuda, being visited by locals and overseas visitors alike.”