“In 2024, there are still slaves”: Montpellier commemorated the abolition of slavery this Friday

Yaré Diagne, president of the May 10 collective, this Friday morning. Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

On the occasion of the national day of memories of the slave trade, slavery and their abolition, the May 10 collective organized a commemoration in the Armenian park. nbsp;This year it highlighted Cyril Bissette, a figure in the abolition of slavery.

The commemoration has been organized for almost twenty years by the May 10 Collective, which brings together Montpellier associations to transmit the history of the slave trade, slavery and their abolitions. It took place in the presence, among others, of Patricia Mirallès, Secretary of State to the Minister of the Armed Forces, in charge of Veterans and Memory, Senator Hussein Bourgi and the deputy of the ;Hérault Nathalie Oziol.

This year's ceremony highlighted Cyril Bissette, one of the major figures in the abolition of slavery in France. Yaré Diagne, president of the collective, explains: "He was forgotten, banned. We reach out to the city to make its name known and recognized".

"The story does not unravel"

The commemoration, strong in symbols, took place in front of the stele of Abbé-Grégoire, anti-slavery priest. The date of the event refers to May 10, 2001, the date France officially recognized slavery and trafficking as crimes against humanity. ;"History does not unravel, it is constructed", explains Yaré Diagne.

Odile Corneille, president of the Mozaïk Outre-Mer association. Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Odile Corneille, president of the Mozaïk Outre-Mer association, alert: "Even in 2024, around the world, there there are still slaves. We must not forget to avoid reproducing". Dominique Lampla, volunteer, hopes: "Beyond the commemoration, we also need actions, supporting overseas residents with mobility and integration in mainland France ."