We request the replacement of a plaque in Brecon, Wales that honours a slave trader. This petition calls for the replacement to be a memorial that acknowledges and commemorates the lives of the 692 people he enslaved.

What did the previous plaque commemorate?

The Captain Thomas Phillips plaque, which was situated to the side of our newly restored museum and library in Brecon town centre, commemorated the seventeenth-century seafaring captain who lived in the town, it omitted his involvement with the transatlantic slave trade. During his first voyage on his ship The Hannibal he was directly responsible for the deaths of 328 captive slaves, nearly 50% of the total number of branded men, women and children in the ship’s holds.

We understand that Captain Thomas Phillips is an important figure in our town’s history, but he does not deserve commemoration in our streets. This plaque was only commissioned in 2009 and should be replaced with something more appropriate to our community, something that contributes towards a clearer and more honest future for our residents, and the many visitors we receive each year from around the world.

The proposed new plaque.

The plaque we propose would bring recognition to those he enslaved and the fact that this abhorrent practice happened (and is still happening) and should not be glossed over. It will be placed to educate people of what really happened and to act as a memorial to the generations of humans that have suffered directly because of slavery. We must recognise and be conscious that our town benefited from the enslavement of people and although we cannot change history we also can not evade it.

*UPDATE – in response to the news that the plaque has now been removed not through the perceived proper procedures.
This petition does not condone the manner in which this plaque has been removed.
When the time comes, however, to fill the space of the removed plaque let it not be a repeat of history.