A shouting protester got within metres of Queen Elizabeth II at a service on Tuesday marking the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolition of the slave trade, demanding she apologise personally.

Toyin Agbetu, a human rights campaigner, ran in front of the altar at London's Westminster Abbey -- packed with dignitaries -- shouting "you should be ashamed," "you're a disgrace," and "this is an insult to us."

He condemned African Christians who attended the national service.

The 2,000-strong congregation included Prime Minister Tony Blair and government ministers as well as the descendants of both slaves and leading abolitionists.

The lone protester was restrained by security guards, and once outside, was arrested and led away in handcuffs by the police.

The anniversary has left political and religious leaders wrestling with how Britain should deal with its past role in the slave trade.

Blair has expressed "deep sorrow" for Britain's involvement in the slave trade but stopped short of a full apology.

Agbetu yelled: "We should not be here, this is an insult to us. I want all the Christians who are Africans to walk out."

He said Queen Elizabeth needed to apologise on behalf of her ancestors.

"You don't have the decency, Mr Blair, to make an apology and the word sorry, and you, the queen...

"The queen has to say sorry. It was Elizabeth I. She commanded John Hawkins (a pioneer of the English slave trade) to take his ship. The monarch and the government and the church are all in there patting themselves on the back.

"This nation has never apologised, there was no mention of the African freedom fighters. This is just a memorial of William Wilberforce."

Wilberforce was the driving parliamentarian behind the landmark change in the British law which abolished the slave trade.

Agbetu, 39, is the founder of Ligali, a British-based human rights group which sets out to "challenge the misrepresentation of African people and culture in the British media."

Major General David Burden, the receiver general of Westminster Abbey, insisted the queen, 80, and her husband Prince Philip, 85, had been safe.

The protester, who had a ticket, had been through security checks and scanners, he said.

"The queen was protected by her own protection officers," said Burden.

"We allow them to speak for a little and then encourage them to leave. We wish it hadn't happened but we're not embarrassed at all."

The service included a sermon from the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and an address from Lady Kate Davson, a great-great-great grand-daughter of Wilberforce, who read one of her ancestor's speeches.

"Slavery is one of the largest pieces of our wounded history, our worldwide wounded history, and...(has) to be confronted in order to get peace in our world," she said.

Williams, the leader of the world's Anglicans, called slavery an offence to human dignity and freedom.

"We, who are the heirs of the slave-owning and slave-trading nations of the past, have to face the fact that our historic prosperity was built in large part on this atrocity," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, finance minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Ken Livingstone -- who has apologised for slavery on behalf of the city -- attended.

Afterwards, Queen Elizabeth laid flowers on the memorials to Wilberforce and all those affected by slavery.

The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed on March 25, 1807, imposing a 100-pound fine for every slave found aboard a British ship.

The 1833 Slavery Abolition Act outlawed slavery itself throughout the British Empire. However, some slaves did not gain their final freedom until 1838.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 27.03.2007 15:57

Big-K  Villager

# 2 This guy just made my day. Without a FORMAL APOLOGY and steps towards REPARATIONS the sufferings and deaths of millions of Africans worldwide caused by Britain any remembrace service by Britain is pure eye-service. The reasons they are refusing to apologze today, is the same reason they allowed slavery to last that long - they are looking at things from a pounds/penny perspective rather than the moral perspective. Thank you Toyin Agbetu Posted by Big-K| 27.03.2007 16:06

akuluouno  Villager

# 3 Dear All, Toyin is indeed an African hero original. However if it were in Nigeria, the goons would have clobbered him to pulp. We need more Toyins back home to stop the rot that is stinking to high heaven. What with PTDF, INEC wuruwuru, the Oyo drama, Ubalaria and Ubaningitis in Anambra, Imo PDP gov stalemate, Gombe religious fanaticism, Niger Delta chaos, ASUU strike, PHCN problems, Fuel scarcity, Pensioner problems, Hospital decadence etc etc. This is indeed kalakuta republic in the making. Toyin should go home and mobilise the angry ones in the spirit of St Paul (cathedral) so that Nigerians will shout with one voice "We shall Overcome x 2, We shall overcome someday oooo, Deep in our hearts we do believe we shall overcome someday." The Nigeria mire is already akin to slavery btw. :mad: :mad: :mad: Posted by akuluouno| 27.03.2007 16:10

Auspicious  Villager

# 4 =akuluouno;164054>Dear All, Toyin is indeed an African hero original. However if it were in Nigeria, the goons would have clobbered him to pulp. Oh Gosh, Akuluouno! You cracked me up badly there..:lol: Godo-godo go don beat protest comot eim body. Still, one acknowledges that sad reality.:mad: But, by the way, why can't Oyibo simply apologize? Can someone please enlighten me on why they won't? I really am not in a mood to wrack my brain now..:rolleyes: So, somebody help a Brada..Akuluouno? Posted by Auspicious| 27.03.2007 16:28

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 5 This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu There should be more Nigerians like This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu There should be more Africans like This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu There should be more peoples of African descent like This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu Africans Are Not Angry, But Why? www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/paul-adujie/africans-are-not-angry-but-why-11.html Africans: The Way The World Works; One Thousand Years And Counting! http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/paul-adujie/africans-the-way-the-world-works-one-thousand-years-and-coun-12.html Africa’s Past, Present, Future: Are Some Blaming Victims? http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/paul-adujie/africa-s-past-present-future-are-some-blaming-vic-11.html http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Why+are+Africans+not+angry+Adujie&btnG=Google+Search I admire This guy Mr. Toyin Agbetu Posted by I Love Nigeria| 27.03.2007 16:30

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 6 Africans Are Not Angry, But Why? www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/paul-adujie/africans-are-not-angry-but-why-11.html http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Why+are+Africans+not+angry+Adujie&btnG=Google+Search The twin evils of all of human history are slavery and colonialism, Africans have factually been at the receiving end of slavery and colonialism. These evils have intrinsically and extrinsically transformed Africans, Africa and peoples of African descent, everywhere in the world these transformations are of the most negative types, in impacts and results. Despite all this, Africans and peoples of African descent are not angry and have not been saying never-again! And now, in this twenty-first century, it does appear as if, the twin-evils of slavery and colonialism are about to be replayed in Africa! A cursory examination of current political and economic events in some parts of Africa and the Caribbean, clearly indicate a loss of immense ground, as freedom, liberty and political independence are being usurped from and denied Africans and African cousins in the Caribbean. It is a historical fact, that Arabs played roles in slave trade and the enslavement of Africans, about two hundred years ago, now, there is a rehearse of African enslavement in Darfur Sudan, by Janjaweed Arabs, endorsed and supported by the government of Sudan, even as Arab governments have blocked every attempts at censure of the Sudanese government by United Nations. As an African with a universal or global outlook, I have frequently spoken out against the plight of Arabs, particularly, the predicaments of Palestinians and more recently, the bedraggled Iraqis, it is therefore a very sad moment for me, to find that there is no similar concern being demonstrated by Arabs, for the plights and predicaments of Africans in the Darfur region in Sudan, who are being mauled and killed by Arabs, these Africans are being killed in genocidal type ethnic cleansing, simply because of who they are, Africans. The world dithers, while thousands and thousands of Black African Sudanese are decimated by the Janjaweed Arabs, the Arabs defend and protect the brutal government in Khartoum Sudan, while African Sudanese women and children are being killed on a daily basis, as more African Sudanese women and children die horrible death from starvation, diarrhea and other preventable illnesses, as consequence of their poor refugee camp conditions in the desert turned marsh-land by the rains. It is not much different in the Caribbean, where Haiti, the first people of African descent to attain political independence, were summarily denied their sovereignty and political independence in February, a month after what should have been Haiti’s celebratory bicentennial in January 2004; As domestic conspirators were engineered by an avalanche of foreign intrigues to overthrown the democratically and constitutionally elected government of Haiti Africans and peoples of African descent, ought to be angry, very angry, in fact, flame-throwing-angry, over slavery and colonialism, it does appear now, that the lack of such demonstration of resentments, have led to a new and improved version, or a reconstituted plan, to enslave and re-colonize Africans and peoples of African descent. It must be pointed out, that Africans and peoples of African descent were the first victims of terror and terrorism, visited on them, by others, others, who now make pretensions about fighting the war on terror. It is a surprise that Africans did not become terrorists, acting out of frustrations and hopelessness as the world have always visited on Africa African arts that were pillaged, stolen and spirited away to America and Europe, these art works remain in American and European Museums. Whereas art works stolen during Second World War have since been returned to the respective owners, the African arts works remain with private persons and institutions in America and Europe, why are Africans not angry? African arts stolen during slavery and colonialism still adorns private homes and museum in Europe and outside Africa, whereas, Europeans arts stolen during World War II have been returned to their countries of origins and or to owners, other races who suffered from the vicissitude of human history, have received compensations or reparations from their tormentors, but every time reparations for Africans and peoples of African descent is mentioned, those not interested in fairness and equity to Africans, are quick to interject extraneous matters, into the debate about reparations and compensations for the horrors and dehumanization suffered and continued to be endured by Africans and peoples of African descent. All of histories have been unfair to Africans and peoples of African descent and history is just about to repeat itself Why are Africans not angry? Posted by I Love Nigeria| 27.03.2007 16:36

teopeurt  Villager

# 7 Wow, I have to give it to Toyin. I was at the embassy when this occurred this afternoon but the reaction of my fellow Nigerians was despicable - they viewed it as a joke and a shame upon themselves – one even describing the situation as why would he try to attack the Queen? Toyin is an activist here in London and I always look forward to hearing his opinion on BBC London talk shows. He is well opinionated and highly respected by the both white and black professionals as he always brings a well rounded argument to the table. I hope, in fact I know this arrest would not be an affront on his character but a welcome alternative to the farce of the celebration of the so called 200 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Aluta Continua Posted by teopeurt| 27.03.2007 16:41

igwe  Villager

# 8 I greatly admire Tony's courage! The British authorities are being diplomatic with this evil of slavery. By their own admission, their prosperity was built on the back of our ancestors, despite that, they still treat us shabbily. For those telling Tony to go and do same in Nigeria, it's seems to be a good advice but where is Saro-Wiwa, Dele Giwa, Funsho Williams, etc. What happened to Fela when he was crusading for the rights of Nigerians? The fact is that the mess Nigeria and Africa is today is largely caused by these slave masters. And those who think they are done with us, need to think again. Look for instance at what their oil companies are doing in the ND. THEY CANNOT DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR OWN COUNTRIES! The Queen gave a prestigious award to OBJ last year for trampling on the rights of Nigerians and protecting the business interests of her kingdom!!!!! Yes, the real fight will be worn at home. But it has to be fought on all fronts. At this point the judiciary is spearheading that fight in Nigeria. We shall eventually overcome! Ka Chineke mezie okwu! Posted by igwe| 27.03.2007 17:11

blondie  Villager

# 9 Toyin is the modern day Toussaint. Toussaint was that Haitaian slave who led his rag-tag army of slaves to defeat the French and the English and the Spaniards at the height of slavery. If only our leaders had the patriotic fervor of Toussaint and Toyin. Posted by blondie| 27.03.2007 17:11

bababoyz  Villager

# 10 Toyin Agbetu is da man and I bow for his courage. Some talk the talk and walk the walk, and Toyin is an example of the few that does that. Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior is totally and permanently discredited and abandoned --- Bob Marley of blessed memory Posted by bababoyz| 27.03.2007 17:21

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---