The family of a former slave owner has apologized for their role in the Guyanese slave trade.

Descendants of John Gladstone, a 19th Century British sugar and coffee planter who owned thousands of enslaved people, traveled to Guyana to issue a formal apology for their ancestors' actions. According to the Associated Press, Charles Gladstone and five other family members made the trip to the University of Guyana, where they addressed a crowd gathered for the occasion.

Charles Gladstone began his speech with a solemn and remorseful statement. “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. “In doing so, we acknowledge slavery’s continuing impact on the daily lives of many.”

The trip follows a call from the Guyanese President Irfaan Ali for Britain and other European nations to issue reparations payments on Aug 24. Ali was critical of the descendants of slave traders in his remarks, and demanded that they outline a plan of action in line with the Caricom plan for reparatory justice for slavery and indentureship.

Charles Gladstone continued his speech by announcing a partnership between his family and the people of Guyana. “In writing this heartfelt apology, we also acknowledge Sir John Gladstone’s role in bringing indentured laborers to Guyana, and apologize for the clear and manifold injustices of this” he said.

Outside the auditorium, a small protest was taking place, with protesters shouting and holding up signs reading “The Gladstones are murderers” and “Stolen people, stolen dreams”. The leader of the protest, Cedric Castellow, argued that Britain and other colonizing countries owe Guyana and the Caribbean billions of dollars.

“The British government and others benefited from the slave trade, their descendants and heirs. They owe us, and the legacy will affect future generations as well,” Castellow told the Associated Press.

Ex-BBC journalist Laura Trevelayan, whose family also apologized for their role in the slave trade in Guyana, told the Associated Press, “It seems that the momentum for the global reparations movement is being led by the Caribbean and its intellectuals. People like us support the Caricom plan, and I really hope that the British government will begin negotiations with the Caribbean in the near future.”

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