Marchers following the journey of those who sought to abolish the slave trade are walking through Worcester on the 16 and 17 June. The Marchers are moving from London to Bristol to Liverpool, all former slave ports and the walk is another significant event in the year of remembering and responding to the bicentenary of the Act which abolished the transatlantic slave trade.

Everyone is welcome to join the Marchers on Saturday 16 June as they walk from the entrance of St. Mary’s Church, Kempsey at 3pm, along the River Severn to the city centre, for a short reception by the Mayor at the Guildhall around 5pm. From 6-7.30pm there will be an ‘open house’ at the Friends’ Meeting House, Sansome Place, where everyone will have the chance to talk and share refreshments together.

Sunday 17 June will start with a short service at the Friends’ Meeting House from 9.15am and at 10am the Marchers will walk along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to Tibberton. Again all are welcome to join them for this stage of their journey.

The Revd David Ryan, the Church of England’s Ecumenical Officer for Worcestershire is the local co-ordinator for the March. He said: “This is just one of a series of events happening throughout this bicentennial year which encourages us all to remember, reflect and respond to our history of slavery and the many forms of it that still exist today. I hope that as many people as possible will be able to join the Marchers while they are in Worcester so that the walk will make a real impression on people in our city.”

For further details of the walk and its aims visit: http://www.lifelineexpedition.co.uk/mota/index.htm.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The purpose of the Walk of the Abolitionist is:

• To bring an apology for the role of Europeans (and especially the role of the church) in the Atlantic slave trade and to ask how we can make amends and repair the damage.
• To provide a safe place for dialogue and to foster healing and reconciliation.
• To engage with schools, public forums and the media to educate about the true history of slavery and abolition and the need to deal with ongoing issues of racism, racial justice and forgiveness.
• To remember the abolitionists of 200 years ago, especially seeking to bring to the fore the contribution of lesser known abolitionists, both black and white. To further the work started by abolitionists 200 years ago by facilitating healing and restoration from the consequences of slavery among Africans and African descendants.
• To draw attention to ongoing forms of contemporary slavery and to campaign for its abolition. To also draw attention to the dehumanisation of any race or people group by any kind oppression or slavery.

ENDS.

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.