May 23rd: commemoration victims of colonial slavery in Saint-Denis France

© Louis-Gérard Salcède:  detail of monument in
Saint-Denis

About 1,500 people gathered on Thursday May 23rd in the French city of Saint-Denis on the occasion of the commemoration of the victims of colonial slavery. A monument bearing 213 names of slaves and their registration numbers has been inaugurated by Minister of Overseas Territories Victorin Lurel.

The monument and commemoration is the work of the organisation "le CM98 Comité Marche 98)", their goal is to help West Indians trace their African ancestors and the origin of their name.

May 23rd is now officially recognized by the French Republic as commemoration day of the victims of colonial slavery. In a speech on May 10th French President Francois Holland praised the work of the CM98 as an essential architect of this memory. May 10the is National commemoration of the abolition of slavery in France.  Read the report of the event on Outre-Mer 1.

Video: A  report of the event, with interviews, music and dance

Also see France sued over Atlantic slave trade