The sacrifices made by those who resisted the slave trade have been remembered in a ceremony at Cobbs Hill Methodist Church.

Yesterday’s service, held to mark the United Nation’s International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, is the first of several African Heritage Trail events being held this week across the Island.

Among those honoured in the ceremony were: Rachael Fubler, who lost her own freedom in a legal battle to free her children; Sally Bassett, who was burned at the stake after a failed poisoning plot; and Edward Fraser, who along with other slaves built the Cobbs Hill Methodist Church so that they would have a place to worship.

Around 50 attendees filled the small church, including Premier Paula Cox, former Premier Dr Ewart Brown, Economy Minister Patrice Minors and MP Kim Swan.

Speaking during the ceremony, Ms Cox detailed the life of Mary Prince, one of those honoured, who after years of suffering in slavery, had her story published and became a public advocate for the abolition of slavery.

“Let us never forget and let us always remember,” she said.

Between today and Saturday, the Bermuda Archives in the Government Administration Building will feature a display of Slavery in Bermuda, while the Bermuda National Library will highlight books about slavery.