Slavery and Colonialism – the case for Reparations

Hackney Stand Up To Racism Slavery and Colonialism – the case for Reparations Chair: Councillor Soraya Adejare Speaker: Dr Steve Cushion Author of our pamphlet Sir Robert Geffrye and the Business of Slavery and member of Caribbean Labour Solidarity Tuesday 31st October St Paul’s Church 182 Stoke Newington High Street 7.30 pm

William Beckford (1709 – 1770)

The Beckford family had been involved in both the West India trade and as contractors supplying the Royal Navy since the mid-1600s. The London branch of the family, Richard Beckford (1619-1679) and his brother Sir Thomas (1628-1685) supplied the Navy with cheap clothing for the sailors, indeed, in 1668, Thomas is on record as bribing Samuel Pepys, Chief Secretary to the Admiralty, with a gift of £50 [£204,900] and a silver warming pan, which helped secure naval contracts worth £24,800 [£101,600,000].¹

Meanwhile, another branch of the family made their money in the West Indies. Peter Beckford (1643–1710) arrived in … Read on ...

October Meeting – Reparations

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The question of Reparations for Enslavement has been in the news lately with the Gladstone family denouncing their “odious” ancestor.

Luke Daniels, President of Caribbean Labour Solidarity, recently spoke to a large meeting, in the North of England, of shop stewards and delegates, members of the trade union UNISON. Luke will give a report of this important meeting and an update on the campaign as well as reminding us of the arguments for Reparations.

demanding the removal of the statue of enslaver William Beckford from the Guildhall in London produced a lively discussion. Steve Cushion will explore the … Read on ...