July 1, 2023: Protest March 'No Healing Without Repair'
In December 2022, Prime Minister Rutte offered apologies on behalf of the Dutch state and acknowledged that slavery was a "crime against humanity." Apologies have also been offered by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, the province of North Holland, and The Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). The apologies that were made are a historic milestone, but what's next? Prime Minister Rutte said, ‘We are writing not writing a full stop but a comma’. This was a quote from artist Serana Angelista.
The path to recovery has been unclear so far because there haven't been discussions about reparations or measures of restitution. This is despite the fact that during the abolition of slavery, it was not the victims but the perpetrators of slavery who received a form of "compensation."
On July 1, 2023, we commemorate the 150/160 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. On July 1, 1863, slavery was abolished on paper. However, enslaved individuals in Suriname had to continue working until 1873. The "freed" individuals were left empty-handed, and the repercussions of the history of slavery are still tangible and visible to this day.
The apologies are an important historical step but are not sufficient. Descendants of enslaved individuals have the right to restoration (reparations). The Dutch government has previously pursued restorative justice and provided compensation to victims and their descendants for atrocities. The implementation of the comma can only happen if there are discussions about restorative justice and reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery and its ongoing effects.
July 1: Protest March as part of the Bigi Spikri
On July 1, 2023, Zwart Manifest & The Black Archives will organize a peaceful protest march as part of the annual Bigi Spikri to Oosterpark. Bigi Spikri is a Surinamese tradition where people commemorate and celebrate the abolition of slavery on July 1 by dressing festively. Bigi Spikri literally means "big mirror." During slavery, enslaved individuals were prohibited from wearing shoes and nice clothing. The colorful parade became a form of protest and emancipation, allowing people to admire themselves in the shop windows of Paramaribo. Over time, July 1 became an important moment of protest for Surinamese and later other Black emancipation movements as well.
In light of this tradition, the protest march "No Healing Without Repair" will be organized in 2023, calling for the development of serious restoration programs after the apologies, at the national and urban levels, in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, Suriname, and other former colonies: "We deserve reparations for 300 years of colonialism and slavery!"
The path to recovery has been unclear so far because there haven't been discussions about reparations or measures of restitution. This is despite the fact that during the abolition of slavery, it was not the victims but the perpetrators of slavery who received a form of "compensation."
On July 1, 2023, we commemorate the 150/160 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. On July 1, 1863, slavery was abolished on paper. However, enslaved individuals in Suriname had to continue working until 1873. The "freed" individuals were left empty-handed, and the repercussions of the history of slavery are still tangible and visible to this day.
The apologies are an important historical step but are not sufficient. Descendants of enslaved individuals have the right to restoration (reparations). The Dutch government has previously pursued restorative justice and provided compensation to victims and their descendants for atrocities. The implementation of the comma can only happen if there are discussions about restorative justice and reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery and its ongoing effects.
July 1: Protest March as part of the Bigi Spikri
On July 1, 2023, Zwart Manifest & The Black Archives will organize a peaceful protest march as part of the annual Bigi Spikri to Oosterpark. Bigi Spikri is a Surinamese tradition where people commemorate and celebrate the abolition of slavery on July 1 by dressing festively. Bigi Spikri literally means "big mirror." During slavery, enslaved individuals were prohibited from wearing shoes and nice clothing. The colorful parade became a form of protest and emancipation, allowing people to admire themselves in the shop windows of Paramaribo. Over time, July 1 became an important moment of protest for Surinamese and later other Black emancipation movements as well.
In light of this tradition, the protest march "No Healing Without Repair" will be organized in 2023, calling for the development of serious restoration programs after the apologies, at the national and urban levels, in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, Suriname, and other former colonies: "We deserve reparations for 300 years of colonialism and slavery!"
When? July 1 2023
Tijd? 10.30AM - 11.30AM (the protest march is part of the Bigi Spikri)
Where? From Stopera (Waterlooplein), Amsterdam, to the entrance of the Oosterpark.
Tijd? 10.30AM - 11.30AM (the protest march is part of the Bigi Spikri)
Where? From Stopera (Waterlooplein), Amsterdam, to the entrance of the Oosterpark.
What should come after the comma? What does restoration mean to you? Share your opinion with us via this questionnaire!
Find more information here on the "No Full Stop" campaign. |
Visit the exhibtion at The Black Archives about the hidden histories near the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands:
"No Healing, Without Repair". |
Pop-up Expo 'No Healing, Without Repair' & Information Stand 'No Full Stop'
The Black Archives can be found all day at Museumplein with a booth and a pop-up exhibition about the hidden history surrounding the end of slavery. At the booth, we sell special books about Keti Koti and Black history. In the pop-up exhibition 'No Healing, Without Repair,' we examine the parliamentary debate on abolition and the heroes who fought for their freedom. The complete exhibition opens on July 8, 2023. You can also share your opinion on what should come after the comma!
