To the editor:

Bristol is fortunate to have many historical sites with ornate, impressive, and informative statues, monuments, and other memorabilia located in various prominent spots in town, and recently, the Bristol Port Markers Project Committee was formed with the intention of erecting a monument to memorialize the numerous transatlantic crossings made by captive Africans who suffered and perished during the dark days of Bristol's infamous slave trade.

The monument would be part of a larger project which already has monuments in numerous locations up and down the east coast including Boston, Mass. and Warren, RI, and a list of possible public locations for the monument will soon be presented to the Bristol Town Council for their approval.

The committee will be holding an informational meeting for the public on Sunday, June 12th at 2:00 p.m. at the Bristol Courthouse on High St., and I encourage all residents of the town to attend this meeting to learn about this worthwhile project which will serve to educate the public about the hardships faced by the captive Africans and memorialize their part of Bristol's history.

Mike Proto
245 Chestnut St.