To the editor:

The Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project has had a round of recent successes in its mission to build a memorial acknowledging Bristol’s role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and honoring African and Indigenous people who were impacted.

We sponsored a robust competition seeking a design for the memorial. The Board of Directors of the Port Marker Project wishes to thank all of the artists who participated in the competition, especially the three finalists. We are heartened by the design and theme of the chosen artist, Spencer Evans, to produce a sculpture based upon the memory of the ancestors of those impacted by the trade, offering reconciliation and hope crafted in a spirit of peace. RISD Professor Evans’ model, approved by both the Board of Directors and the Town Council, will become a full life-size memorial to be cast in bronze and placed in Independence Park.

The Board wishes to thank Pivotal Brewery owners, Todd and Rebecca, for their gracious welcoming in providing the space for our event revealing the winning sculpture. Our many resident supporters who turned out to celebrate with us in this significant milestone added great momentum and a reaffirmation for our Board of Directors. We all benefited from hearing Congressman Gabe Amo speak about the importance of history and the lessons for all generations going forward that the memorial will provide.

We especially wish to thank our Town Councilors: Nathan Calouro, Mary Parella, Aaron Ley, Tony Teixeira and Tim Sweeney, for enthusiastically receiving us and granting their approval of our proposal. Additionally, we extend thanks to our Town Administrator, Steven Contente and the Town Clerk, Melissa Cordeiro, for their tireless assistance throughout. The support of our Town leaders has made all of this possible.

The Council’s unanimous approval was the ultimate blessing for us to bring the proposed memorial into being. This is a milestone for Bristol, one which all of us can appreciate and learn from.

Bernard K. Freamon
Professor of Law, Roger Williams University
President, Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, Inc.