Slavery abolition celebration at start of city's Black History Month

A CELEBRATION to mark the abolition of slavery in Britain was held outside Sheffield's Town Hall to mark the launch of the city's tenth annual Black History Month. The story of how the slave trade was abolished by parliament 200 years ago was told through pictures, narration and song.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Oct 2007, 09:56 BST
Updated 15th Oct 2007, 09:20 BST

More than 200 guests attended the launch, which was addressed by Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Coun Arthur Dunworth, and the Sheffield Council chief executive, Sir Bob Kerslake.

There was poetry from Jean 'Binta' Breeze and Bridgette, and drumming from Zimbabwean group Siyaya.

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There were also performances by singers Faatima and Aisha, New Wine, Sugar Beat Shack, Karla, Simone and group Stagga Back, featuring Clinton McKoy.

The main speaker was Ishaaq Heywood, from The Hub youth projectt. Ishaaq talked about how many bicentenary celebrations of the abolition of slavery had given insufficient recognition to the role of black activists.

It was not only the efforts of William Wilberforce, he said, as Africans such as Olaudah Equiano and Ignatius Sancho were also active. Indeed, Olaudah Equiano visited Sheffield as part of the anti-slavery campaign.

Black History Month will run until November 2 and will include arts events with a global theme, in schools throughout the city.

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Related topics:SheffieldBritainTown HallMayor