Norwich demo attacks modern slave trade

As doves and balloons were released above Norwich City Hall (March 21) to mark 200 years after the official ending of the British slave trade, present-day forms of slavery in Norfolk and around the world were denounced.

 

It was the local climax of the Stop the Traffik anti-slavery campaign.

 

John Drake, Sheriff of Norwich and chief executive of YMCA Norfolk, said: “Slavery was declared illegal in the British Empire 200 years ago thanks to the efforts of men like William Wilberforce and Norfolk man Thomas Buxton.

 

“We have a proud history of social reformers in Norfolk. People like Elizabeth Fry, Jeremiah Colman and Thomas Buxton,” said John.

 

“But exploitation of people still exists today. It may be the pimp who feeds heroin to women to keep them enslaved or the illegal gangmaster who coerces people through fear to work for him for very low wages. It is often subtle, as if it were blatant we would be repulsed and act on it.

 

“If Wilberforce were alive today he would be appalled. We must make sure that all forms of exploitation are eradicated in our county and across the world.”

 

Rev Andrew Platt, county ecumenical officer and executive officer of Norfolk & Waveney Churches Together, who helped organise the event with Christian Aid and Transforming Norwich, said: “We are commemorating the abolition of the slave trade 200 years ago, but the reality is that slavery continues today.

 

“Millions of men, women and children around the world are forced to lead lives as slaves. Although this exploitation is often not called slavery, the conditions are the same. People are sold like objects, forced to work for little or no pay and are at the mercy of their employers.”

 

The demonstration on the steps of Norwich City Hall was attended by over 100 people and by Christian Aid anti-slavery campaigner Rose-Anne Auguste from Haiti where there are over 300,000 child slaves, many is the sex industry.

 

Later in the day at St Peter Mancroft Church, Dr Carrie Pemberton, Director of Chaste, was due to be joined by Paul Valentin, the International Director of Christian Aid, to give a worldwide picture of the trafficking scourge.

 

For more details of the campaign contact: Eldred Willey, Christian Aid 07813 045947.