Marching in Chains, Christian Group to Apologize for Slave Trade

Starting in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sept. 29, a group of African and European Christians will travel to 10 cities in the U.S in an effort to bring message of repentance and apology over the slave trade.

The “slave trade apology” initiative is launched by Lifeline Expedition who is affiliated with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). The initiative will feature white marchers wearing chains on their hands and yokes on their necks while being escorted by black people, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

David Pott, who started the London-based organization to “reserve the damage” of the slave trade indicated that the initiative will help white people to think in a different way regarding the confrontation between black and white people in the past.

"We're not divisive in saying, 'Here's black, here's white,'" said Pott. "We're saying, 'We are brothers and sisters in our common humanity.'"

Carol Palmer, who works for YWAM, and also volunteers to walk in chains in Richmond, said, "A huge part of the tragedy of what happened years ago is that it was supported by Christians. As Christians, we're asking for forgiveness because we were in the wrong."