On Aug. 21, a group of demonstrators from the organization Slavery Remembrance held the first memorial to enslaved Africans at Trafalgar Square in London, England. In the clip, state that many Englishmen hardly acknowledge the day that brings awareness to the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade.

“This is the first-ever memorial service for International Slavery Remembrance Day,” Shezal Laing, the group’s founder states. “This day passes by largely unnoticed, and most people are unaware that the day exists.”

Echoing those sentiments, British rapper and activist Akala says it has always been a problem when Black people remember their history.

“When Black people remember their victim-hood at the hand of the British empire, apparently they should get over it and it is all in the past,” he explains. ” Even though the legacy is still here …” The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated Aug. 23 International Slavery Remembrance Day to recognize the Haitian Revolution.

The revolution that shocked and put European colonial powers on high alert began Aug. 22, 1791, but continued the following day.

Furthermore, UNESCO cited the revolution as the spark that ignited abolition in the western world.

Organizers of yesterday’s memorial hopes that attendance and awareness grows.