Plaques on slave trader statues reveal wrongdoings

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From BBC News

A plaque condemning slave traders is attached to a statue of John Cass
A plaque condemning slave traders is attached to a statue of John Cass (PA Media)

Plaques have been unveiled on the statues of slave traders in London detailing the “enormous wrongdoings” of the men.

The City of London Corporation launched Revealing The City’s Past, which is a project to reinterpret the statues of slave traders that include former Lord Mayor William Beckford and former MP Sir John Cass.

The corporation said the plan “reflects a commitment to historical accountability” for its role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people.

The Beckford and Cass statues now bear information plates condemning the men’s role.

The plaques feature texts by artist and heritage professional Rachael Minott, alongside poems by John Agard and Courtney Conrad.

Keep reading to learn more.

Similar controversy exists in the USA, where some statues have been replaced.

More stories like this.

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