NYS BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC & ASIAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS MEMBERS “RETURN HOME” TO AFRICA TO HIGHLIGHT 400 YEARS SINCE THE AMERICAN SLAVE TRADE

NEW YORK, NY (November 25, 2019) – Throughout 2019—and especially during the month of November—thousands of people across the country are highlighting the 400 years since the start of the American Slave Trade by returning to the continent of Africa. Citizens, clergy, government officials, diplomats and other community stakeholders have been working together to affect a mass return to Africa; and two of our Members—Sen. James Sanders, Jr. (SD10 - Queens) and Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus (AD46 - Brooklyn)—have joined the effort to represent the Caucus and pay tribute to our shared history.

In 1619, the first officially documented group of Africans were brought against their will to America and were sold into servitude as involuntary laborers. This was the beginning of the brutal and demoralizing American Slave Trade that plunged millions of Africans into years of displacement, discrimination, denigration, and social and economic struggle.

By participating in the coordination of this mass journey back to Africa, the Caucus endeavors to give rise to a decade of return as we organize and mobilize dislocated Africans whose foreparents were taken captive to the Americas hundreds of years ago. Those making the voyage represent a bold commitment to bridge the gap between the African diaspora and Africa, and present an opportunity to form alliances and linkages with like-minded counterparts in Africa. We hope to help ignite a new flame that will spark an economic revival in Africa and the global African village.

“400 years ago, the greatest crime in the history of humanity began: the African Slave Trade. On that day, 26 enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas, landing in Jamestown, Virginia. Many of the people in my district are derived from Africa,” said Senator James Sanders, Jr. “I was honored to be chosen to represent my district, to mark the 400th anniversary by returning to Africa. This delegation, drawn from many corners of the New World, visited Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa to commemorate this tragedy. I was honored to speak before the Pan-African Congress in South Africa and to discuss trade and banking possibilities with business leaders from the African Diaspora. I spoke of the opportunities that existed in my district and I look forward to seeing what comes from this great trip. Joining Assemblywoman Frontus was a special joy since she has an affinity for French-speaking Africa. The Continental Africans treated us exceptionally well and send their love for their brothers & sisters in the diaspora.”

“This was my second visit to the African continent and despite the harrowing reminder of brutality and colonization which looms over many countries, it is a strikingly beautiful place to visit full of culture, pride and tradition,” said Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus. “I was honored to join a delegation of clergy, business leaders, elected officials, civil rights activists, attorneys and other professionals who traveled to Accra, Ghana and Dakar, Senegal as part of The Year of Return campaign in West Africa, where African leaders have encouraged the African diaspora to return home in 2019 to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade.”

The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus is a sixty-three member body of state legislators representing a quarter of residents across the State of New York from Long Island, the metro New York City area, and upstate.

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