Advertisement

Slavery monument in France desecrated with Nazi slogan

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Slavery monument in France desecrated with Nazi slogan
Photo: AFP

A southern French town announced an investigation Monday after a sculpture of a black man that commemorates the abolition of slavery was desecrated with Nazi graffiti and white paint.

Advertisement

The damage to the bust which dates from the 19th century and is located in a park in Pau, near the Pyrenees and close to the Spanish border, was discovered during a police patrol.

The word "Nazi" had been scrawled on the statue and it was covered in white paint. It was cleaned immediately and a probe opened.

France's overseas territories minister Ericka Bareigts condemned the vandalism, writing on Twitter that the memory of slavery must be respected.

French President Francois Hollande announced plans in May to establish a major foundation to fund a slavery memorial and museum in Paris.

The move was partly in response to frustration among members of France's black community over what many consider the country's overlooked involvement in the slave trade.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also