Nearly eight years after the Florida Legislature approved a memorial recognizing the inhumanity of slavery, a dedication ceremony for a bronze sculpture called “Circle of Chains,” organized by the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, took place Tuesday across the street from the Capitol.
The life-sized sculpture features six enslaved people held in chains, and was created by Carmel, Calif., sculptor Steven Whyte.
The Legislature approved the memorial during the 2018 legislative session. Miami-Dade Democrat Kionne McGhee sponsored the measure in the House, and Tampa Bay-area Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson carried it in the Senate. The bill charged the Department of Management Services with developing its design and placement, allocating $400,000 for its fabrication. Read more at www.floridaphoenix.com.
