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MARIGOT--The 167th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery was commemorated Wednesday at the Agrément roundabout with Lady Liberty looking on approvingly as the scourge of slavery was re-enacted in dance, music and the spoken word by various performers.
Despite an overcast sky threatening rain, only a little came down from time to time but umbrellas were ready.
The audience comprising the entire Territorial Council, Préfet Philippe Chopin, MP Daniel Gibbs, former Mayor Albert Fleming, Economic and Cultural Council President Georges Gumbs, and representatives from the district councils were all seated under a tent to watch the activities.
The ceremony was opened by Malaïka Maxwell singing the song "when you believe" by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston before Percussionist Hélier Coquillas called out the freedom fighters with a conch shell and remained to provide the drumming for the different segments.
President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson said in her address the commemoration is an opportunity to remember the big sacrifices made by the ancestors for freedom.
"Today we celebrate this freedom and all the people who fought body and soul to liberate our islands and get this precious freedom. But slavery still exists today in other forms and it is essential to continue to denounce and fight against it. Knowing the history of our country is an essential foundation for a successful future. So, I invite all the persons who are here today to teach it to their children in terms of respect, tolerance and unity of people."
She pointed out that France was the first country to recognise slavery as a crime against humanity, adding she was privileged to be in Guadeloupe on May 10 with President François Hollande for the inauguration of the slavery monument Memorial ACTe.
Touching on racism, she quoted former President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac as saying: "Racism, wherever it comes from, is a crime against the heart and against hope."
"With 90 nationalities St. Martin is an example of a mix of people and cultures and I HOPE we can remain a model where humanity is placed above all else, regardless of people's origins," she said.
Hanson acknowledged the work of the Territorial Archives in preserving St. Martin's rich heritage and announced three sites, Fort Louis, Mont Vernon Plantation, and the Moho rock in French Quarter will be the subject of restoration projects. She also indicated the Territorial Council will vote on changing the date of the commemoration to the true date of May 28, and not May 27.
Other speeches were given by Préfet Philippe Chopin who was appearing at his last public function before he leaves for France for a new posting next week. He was thanked by Aline Hanson for his good work on behalf of St. Martin.
MP Daniel Gibbs credited the tenacious work of the abolitionists of the period such as Victor Schoëlcher and August Francois Perrignon who succeeded in abolishing slavery in the French Antilles. He also quoted lyrics from Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."
There were dances on the theme of slavery by a group of young people from district four and a performance by the Grain D'Or dancers. Young children from the after school classes of two schools also gave readings and sang both the Marseillaise and St. Martin Song.
Wreaths were laid at the foot of the Lady Liberty statue by Préfet Chopin, President Hanson, and MP Daniel Gibbs.
Assistant Director General of the Human Development Department Thierry Gombs symbolically broke the chain strung across the pathway leading to the statue, permitting the wreaths to be laid.
