Church leaders from across the denominations will be joining the pilgrimage as well as churchgoers from London, Birmingham and other major cities. It is is being designed as a high-profile public act of Christian witness, following the formal apology made by the General Synod in February 2006 to the heirs of those who were enslaved.

Organisers hope the event will be a gathering to acknowledge the lasting legacy of the slave trade and will serve as an act of repentance and confession.

Bishop David said: “It is really important to take the time to remember both the barbarity of the slave trade and the courage shown by those who sought to bring about its end.
“I hope that it will act a reminder to each of us to recommit ourselves to living as if we really believe that each person on earth is made in the image of God. I am praying too that it will be a catalyst for repairing relationships damaged by injustice and a challenge to all of us who live in a world where human trafficking and forced labour continues.”

The Bishop will also be joining hundreds of Christians from the West Midlands at a special service on Sunday March 25th at the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich organised by Council of Black Led Churches in partnership with Churches Together Birmingham.

On the morning of Sunday March 25th, dubbed Freedom Day, he will be preaching to the congregation at Knowle Parish Church at services focussing on the Bi-Centenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

Coaches to the Walk of Witness in London are being organised by Holy Trinity Church, Birchfield. To book a place, costing £15 return, please contact Madge Bartley on 0121 523 0274. Pilgrims on the Walk of Witness will assemble from 11.30am on Saturday March 24th at Whitehall Place, London.
 
A dedicated website, www.makingourmark.org.uk, contains full details of the routes and answers to frequently asked questions. A link also provides visitors with the opportunity to sign up to Anti-Slavery International’s declaration calling for measures to better understand the Transatlantic Slave Trade, redress its legacies, and end modern day slavery.

Making our Mark is benefiting from funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The venture is also supported by Anglican mission agency USPG, who today continue to work with churches in the Caribbean and West Africa. Making our Mark is the Church of England’s national contribution to Set All Free, a project of Churches Together in England working to commemorate the bicentenary.