David Lammy presents Wilberforce Slave Trade Act to Amistad as it sets sail on fantastic voyage.

Thursday, 21 June 2007

David addressing the hundreds gathered on the Pier where the Amistad was moored before its departure. David addressed a crowd at a ceremony at the Sengbe Pieh Statue outside New Haven City Hall on New Haven Green. David displays a copy of the Act abolishing the transatlantic slave trade, which he signed and will travel with the Amistad across the atlantic. Culture Minister David Lammy MP today bid bon voyage to the Freedom Schooner Amistad as it embarked on a historic16-month transatlantic voyage to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the United Kingdom and next year in the United States. Mr Lammy presented and signed a copy of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807 to the Amistad’s crew, which includes five UK students from the former slave ports of London, Liverpool and Bristol. The act, championed by anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce, will be signed by supporters at each of the ports it visits on its Atlantic Freedom Tour. The UK students sailing on the Amistad are: Michael Simon, 19, from Toxteth, Liverpool Imogen Ashfield, 17, from Eltham, London Saphra Ross, 20 from Bristol Chantelle Wright, 21, from Bristol Nadia Waithe, 22, from Bristol The Amistad, a replica of the original ship that was commandeered by its African captives in 1839, departed from its homeport of New Haven, Connecticut, USA today (Thursday 21 June) to retrace the infamous slave industry triangle. After a layover in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Amistad will arrive in London in early August and moor for several days in West India Quay, Canary Wharf, before sailing to Liverpool’s Albert Dock for the opening of the International Slavery Museum. It will then sail onto Bristol before resuming its voyage to Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Caribbean and the US. During its stay in each port, the Amistad will be free to visit. Mr Lammy said: “In this Bicentenary year, I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to represent the British Government in New Haven and present a copy of our 1807 Abolition Act as the Amistad sets off on its epic voyage across the Atlantic “I hope its message of freedom, equality and human rights will enthuse and engage people of all ages and background at all 18 points of its tour, especially London, Liverpool and Bristol. "I look forward to greeting the Amistad when it arrives in London in August, where it will be moored just two miles from the Cutty Sark, one of our nation’s most beloved historic ships and which was damaged last month. The significance of both ships, the stories they tell and what we can learn from them, should not be underestimated." Eight college age students from the UK and the US will augment the initial crew of the Amistad. In addition to sailing duties, students will be responsible for class study on maritime and environmental studies, as well as the social and economic history of port cities and the legacy of the slave trade. A total of 50 students from countries around the Atlantic Basin will serve as Amistad crew during the voyage. Through live web casts and email correspondence to participating schools and museums across the globe, students aboard the ship will share their learning experiences with other students of all ages. The web casts and email are expected to connect several million students worldwide, making the Amistad a floating classroom. The Amistad was commandeered by Africans who had been captured in 1839 in an attempt to secure their freedom. After an unsuccessful attempt to return to their homes in West Africa, they were arrested off Montauk Point, and charged with piracy and murder. Through the combined efforts of white and black Abolitionists working for their freedom, their plight was brought to the attention of former President John Quincy Adams who argued their case in the Supreme Court of the United States and won their release. AMISTAD America Chairman William Minter underscored the significance of Amistad’s Atlantic Freedom Tour and the copy of the Act by stating: “Now is the time for the message of Amistad to be heard which is why we are pleased that the international community has embraced the Atlantic Freedom Tour. It represents an opportunity to share the values of Amistad - freedom, collaboration, and justice—with communities around the Atlantic Basin with a particular outreach to linking students of all ages.” The UK students – who will sail the initial leg from the US to the UK - all spoke of their excitement. Chantelle Wright from Bristol said: “We’ve been training over here for the last two weeks, learning how to crew the ship and all about the history of the Amistad. It’s really humbling to know that we’re embarking on a journey to spread awareness and tolerance around the world. “Being on the ship will really help us to further understand what it was like for our ancestors.” Imogen Ashfield from London said: “The Transatlantic slave trade is arguably one of the most definitive, influential and interesting developments during the history of the past two centuries. To be part of a tour commemorating the abolition of the slave trade is absolutely unbelievable. We all can’t wait to set sail.” Michael Simon from Liverpool added: “This really is a once in a lifetime experience. I hope that travelling and studying on the Amistad will allow me even greater inspiration and understanding of my own culture and history.” In December, Amistad will sail into the harbour of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the original West African homeland of many of the Amistad captives. This symbolic “homecoming” will be a capstone event of the Atlantic Freedom Tour. Amistad will return to the United States via the Caribbean and Bermuda in spring of 2008 and travel to multiple ports coming up the East Coast as the US commemorates the bicentenary of legislation to ban the importation of slaves. Also participating in the launch is AMISTAD America’s official airline partner, Delta Air Lines. Delta’s sponsorship enables students, staff and crew of AMISTAD support the Tour. Scarlet Pressley-Brown, General Manager Community Affairs & The Delta Foundation said: “Delta embraces the values of Amistad: collaboration, social justice, freedom and education. As global citizens, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the success of the Atlantic Freedom Tour.” AMISTAD America, Inc. is not-for-profit US based charity that promotes improved relations between races and cultures through educational programs and Amistad schooner port visits. Please click here to find out more about the Amistad Atlantic Freedom Tour. Click here to see more photos of the event. Background: 1. Amistad America, Inc. is a national, non-profit educational organisation that promotes improved relationships between races and cultures and strives to educate the public on a unique and relevant event in U.S. history through their educational programme 2. Amistad America, Inc., was created as a consortium between Mystic Seaport, the Connecticut Afro-American Historical Society, the Amistad Committee of New Haven, Amistad Affiliates of New York and other interested individuals working in partnership to promote the Amistad project. 3. In 1839, 53 Africans were kidnapped from West Africa and sold into the transatlantic slave trade. Shackled aboard the Portuguese slave vessel Tecora, the 49 men and four children (three girls and a boy) were brought to Havana, Cuba, where they were fraudulently classified as native, Cuban-born slaves. Purchased illegally by Spanish planters Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montez, they were transferred to the schooner Amistad for transport to another part of the island. Three days into the journey, led by a 25-year-old Mende rice farmer named Sengbe Pieh, or “Cinque” to his Spanish captors, the Africans seized the ship, killed the captain and the cook, and ordered the planters to sail to Africa. After 63 days, La Amistad and her “cargo” were seized as salvage by the USS Washington near Montauk Point, Long Island, and towed to New London harbour. The Africans were held in a New Haven jail on charges of murder. The case took on historic proportions when former President John Quincy Adams successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the captives. In 1841, the 35 surviving Africans were returned to Africa 4. Imogen Ashfield is 17 and from Eltham in London. She is currently in her first year of her A levels at Crown Woods School in Greenwich studying: English Literature, History, Art and Politics. Imogen, whose mother’s family comes from South Africa, said: “The Transatlantic slave trade is arguably one of the most definitive, influential and interesting developments during the history of the past two centuries. “The recent anniversary is therefore a reminder, providing a focus for the study of these events, to present and inform contemporary understanding. That is why this Amistad voyage is an incredible opportunity to explore a subject of which many have only scratched the surface. “Last year, at the beginning of my Civil Rights A level course, I saw a speaker doing a presentation on a brief overview of the history of slavery. He began to examine the origin of the archaic and even offensive term 'Negro' and its Spanish and Greek origins, once widely used and acceptable. He discussed how the root word actually means 'dead'. This personally surprised me at the time and this powerful presentation inspired me to really begin to understand and investigate the wider scope of the whole slavery movement. “After recently studying 20th century civil rights, reading the views from Du Bois and Marcus Garvey to ML King and Malcolm X in depth, I seek to find out more about where these voices of frustration derive from. I have briefly studied the triangular trade, a part of history I have only read from a school textbook. It’s going to be an incredible journey, both physically and mentally to see this subject virtually brought to life.” Imogen enjoys playing both netball and football and is currently playing for London Girls FC. She feels that she can use these team-working skills and apply them to the voyage. In the future, after studying English at university, Imogen hopes to become a music journalist. 5. Saphra Ross from Montpelier, Bristol is 20 years old and is currently studying a degree in Law at the city’s University of the West of England. Saphra is also a Mentor and Windsor Junior Fellowship Ambassador. Her duties involve assisting teaching, tutoring and mentoring pupils year 6 to year 11, being an inspiration to young black people and helping them to reach their dreams. Saphra says: “Participating in this voyage will be an opportunity of a lifetime. I have heard of such experiences but due to the area I grew up in, have never had the chance to be part of something so big and a part of my culture. Now the chance has arisen, I consider it an opportunity which I cannot miss. “Besides the chance to meet new people and travel, which are both main interests of mine, learning about black history and gaining in-depth knowledge on slavery and black history is what I would take great pride in. Being on the ship will provide a feel of what slavery was like and help to further understand what it was like for our ancestors. I think it is a brilliant way to allow our history to live on through generations as those who take part, pass on the invaluable knowledge that is learnt.” Saphra plays football for her University team and enjoys taking part in other sports. She is also a member of a street dancing group, drama team and music group (which involves singing and writing lyrics) within her church 6. Chantelle Wright, 21, from Montpelier, Bristol is about to graduate with a BA (Hons) in Business Administration at the city’s University of West England. She also acts as a schools mentor teaching children from ethnic minorities about future aspirations, in particular higher education and encouraging them to attend university and pursue their goals in life. Mentoring entails working with individual students, assisting them with their studies and advising them on a variety of issues they may be concerned with. She has also been a Camp Counsellor in New Jersey, USA for Camp USA. Chantelle lived with and cared for young children on the American summer camp carrying out a range of activities and tasks with them, acting as all round parent figure and being a friend, ensuring they are well looked after. Chantelle said: “I am extremely looking forward to taking part in this adventure as I would love the opportunity to learn about my heritage and retrace the steps of the infamous slave trade. I know that an experience such as this will be a life changing experience for me and am keen to benefit from this enriching opportunity.” Chantelle has a love of reading and during her spare time indulges in books as it helps her to relax and unwind. She also enjoys cycling, going to aerobics and spending time with friends and family. 7. Nadia Waithe from Montpelier, Bristol is 22 years old and is currently doing a BA Hons in Popular music at the University Of Glamorgan. She has a keen interest in the slave trade having been on an Archaeology dig, with 14 other students to work and study the slave traders on a sugar plantation in Nevis in St Kitts in the Caribbean. They worked hard in hot conditions and were able to find objects used during the slave trade. The aim was to get more ethnic minority students into Archaeology and to encourage the local people to become more interested and involved in the history of their culture. She is also in the process of setting up an African and Caribbean society at her university. She believes the skills and knowledge gained through this trip will equip her with the necessary experience to develop this work effectively. Nadia said: “As a young person of African Caribbean descent, I am interested in learning more about issues of identity and belonging. Therefore for me it is important to understand and learn more about the historical experiences of my ancestors. It is also important to understand some of the physical and emotional experiences that they went through. This trip will give me an opportunity to retrace part of that journey and to get an insight into the strength, courage and determination which was needed to survive the journey. “By learning about the Amistad Incident I will be able to give a different interpretation of the role played by Africans to free themselves. I believe it is important that the public and the media are aware of how the uprising aboard the Amistad led to the challenging of the institution of slavery and forced many countries to honour international treaties banning the African slave trade.” Nadia hopes to teach music and drama to young people to help them build confidence and self-esteem 8. Michael Simon from Toxteth in Liverpool is 19 years old and works part time as well as studying at Liverpool Community College. He works as a carer for Fusion, which entails him working with young children with severe autism and accompanying young people with severe disabilities on day excursions and holidays. He has also worked with young people from the Somali Community of Liverpool in assisting them with language needs. Michael’s studying Art, English, IT at college and plans to undertake a degree in September 2007 at the University of Liverpool. Michael said: “My artistic interest is African influenced and I have produced many pieces reflecting this in my portfolio, I would hope that travelling and studying on the Amistad would allow me even greater inspiration and understanding of my own culture and history. “My family come from Sierra Leone, Guyana, Antigua and Trinidad - many various locations in which the Africa Diaspora was spread and my original western roots were laid. “I hope to play a full and integral role on the Amistad and build upon my skills and previous experience of working in a team environment. The part that I find most exciting would be the opportunity and the experience of working alongside my peers from across this country and the USA. “I envisage taking this journey together as pioneers with my peers in a new understanding of what our forefathers suffered and paradoxically with the added understanding that young people from the African Diaspora have come together to take part in something unique in this year of many commemorations.” In his spare time, Michael loves walking and camping and also enjoys IT and considers himself an “unashamed geek.” 9. Key dates of the tour: June 21 Departs New Haven, CT, US June 27 - July 2 Halifax, NS, Canada Aug 1 – 12 London, UK (West India Quay, Canary Wharf) Aug 20 – Aug 26 Liverpool, UK (Albert Dock) Aug 23 UNESCO Slavery Remembrance Day Aug 29 – Sept 6 Bristol, UK Sept onward Lisbon, Portugal; Madeira Islands; Dakar,Senegal; Freetown, Sierra Leone; Barbados; Puerto Rico; Bermuda; Charleston SC; Hampton Roads,VA, Washington, DC; Baltimore, New York, New Haven. 10. The international voyage will retrace the infamous slave industry triangle with stops at more than a dozen Atlantic ports that played a significant role in the trade and reflect today’s social, political and cultural character. Ports of call include Halifax, Nova Scotia; London, Liverpool and Bristol; Lisbon and Madeira, Portugal; Canary Islands; Dakar, Senegal; Freetown, Sierra Leone; Praia, Cape Verde; Barbados; Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the east coast of the United States. 11. Delta Airlines is an official sponsor of the Amistad Atlantic Freedom Tour

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In this Section... David Lammy presents Wilberforce Slave Trade Act to Amistad as it sets sail on fantastic voyage. Culture Minister David Lammy`s Keynote Speech to ‘Slavery: Unfinished Business’ Conference. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Slavery: then and now. "Fighting for human dignity: the common responsibility of all" - Address by H.E. Mr. Kofi A. Annan to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. Deputy Prime Minister: Introducing Kofi Annan. David Lammy attends the launch of the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Commemorative £2 Coins. David Lammy attends the House of Lords launch of the Oxford Companion to Black British History. The Prime Minister talks to Simon Schama about history and the Slave Trade. Commemoration day to recall slave trade and make UK face up to past. Protection for tomb of anti-slave trade activist. Adjournment Debate on the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, House of Commons. David Lammy welcomes Haringey Council`s commitment to mark the 200th anniversary of the Parliamentary Abolition of Transatlantic Slave. David Lammy heralds programme of events to mark bicentenary of slave trade abolition. Parliament commemorates the bicentenary of British Parliamentary abolition of the slave trade. Leeds Hosts Abolition of the Slave Trade Bicentennial Event with Culture Minister David Lammy. David Lammy`s Podcast on the Commemoration of the Parliamentary Abolition of the Slave Trade. English Heritage searches for links to slavery. David Lammy takes historic stance on Bicentenary Commemoration to mark the abolition of slavery.