Charles Gladstone, a descendant of slaveowner John Gladstone, issued an apology for his ancestors' involvement in slavery while visiting the University of Guyana on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Source: Screenshot - CBC News)

Descendants of man who owned thousands of slaves in Guyana issue apology

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Amid growing calls for atonement and reparations for the lingering impact of slavery in Caribbean nations, the descendants of a Scottish man who owned thousands of slaves in Guyana issued an apology for their ancestors’ involvement in enslaving Africans, and called slavery a crime against humanity.

Charles Gladstone, a descendant of slaveowner John Gladstone, issued an apology for his ancestors' involvement in slavery while visiting the University of Guyana on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Source: Screenshot - CBC News)
Charles Gladstone, a descendant of slaveowner John Gladstone, issued an apology for his ancestors’ involvement in slavery while visiting the University of Guyana on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Source: Screenshot – CBC News)

At least six descendants of John Gladstone, a coffee and sugar plantation owner during the 19th century, traveled to Guyana from Britain, where Charles Gladstone, one of the descendants apologized to an audience at the University of Guyana, per The Associated Press.

“It is with deep shame and regret that we acknowledge our ancestors’ involvement in this crime and with heartfelt sincerity, we apologize to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana,” he said.

Guyana President Irfaan Ali is one of many in Guyana who have demanded reparations on Thursday and slammed the descendants of European slave traders. Ali did not appear at the event, nor did any other senior Guyana officials were in attendance, according to The Associated Press.

During his speech, Gladstone said his family would establish a fund to support various projects in Guyana but didn’t specify what those projects were or how much would money the projects would cost.

The Gladstone estate was the site of a historic slave revolt in 1823 that ended with the death of hundreds of slaves, many who were decapitated and their heads propped up on sticks as a warning to other enslaved people.

More about John Gladstone and his history of enslaving Black people can be found here.

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