Activists, educators and trade unionists urged Bermudians to enjoy Cup Match festivities while honouring the legacy and sacrifices of their enslaved ancestors.

Glenn Fubler, of Imagine Bermuda, joined the gathering on Cabinet grounds today, almost 192 years since slavery was abolished in Bermuda and all British Overseas Territories.

Mr Fubler said: “During Cup Match, when we’re taking in a lot of spirits, we remember the spirits of those on whose shoulders we stand.

“A lot of us have ancestors who experienced slavery, but they made it through — it’s that same spirit that we are building on today and we can negotiate challenges, locally and globally, because of what came before us.”

Joan Dillas-Wright, the president of the Senate; former Progressive Labour Party minister Dale Butler; Nekesha Holdipp, Department of Education social studies education officer and others joined Mr Fubler in front of a statue of deceased enslaved woman Sarah “Sally” Bassett.

Ms Bassett was burnt at the stake in 1730 after being convicted of attempting to poison her enslavers Thomas and Sarah Foster and their enslaved domestic woman Nancy.

Ms Holdipp said Bermudian students learn about Ms Bassett and National Hero Mary Prince, another enslaved woman, in public school.

She explained: “I hope young people take away that these great figures did not play these small roles, but look at the deeper meaning of what they did and who they were as people in that space.”

Arion Mapp, legal counsel for Bermuda’s Human Rights Commission, discussed teaching young people the history and importance of Cup Match.

He said: “I have a five-year-old boy and I was just telling him about Emancipation Day and break down the concepts, as best as I can, but not shy away from it and also not make it scary.

“I’m thankful that we could speak on this and not face the oppression that others will right now, in the world and earth that we share together.”