I'm taking time off on July 1 (keti koti, dia di abolishon)
July 1 (keti koti) should become a national holiday. Until then, we call on everyone: take time off on July 1, until we are all free.
On July 1, we commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1863 in Suriname and the former Netherlands Antilles and celebrate freedom (or Keti Koti or Dia di Abolishon). In reality, the enslaved were forced to continue working until 1873. The consequences of the colonial past still have an impact on the present and are the cause of current inequality in the world. But, after almost 150 years, July 1 is still not a national commemoration and holiday in the Netherlands, on which we are free and reflect on this. Together we can change this. Not by waiting, but by taking action yourself!
Together with Nederland Wordt Beter, FunX, The Black Archives, De Goede Zaak and LUSH, we therefore make this call:
- take time off on July 1, until we are all free.
- send this statementto your employer and explain why.
- En share it on your socials via our photo campaign with #1julivrij, to inspire as many people as possible to do this too to do. Check the button below for the filter.
the past continues in the present
Tony's Chocolonely is an impact company that wants to make all chocolate 100% slave-free. Transatlantic slavery and modern slavery are not the same, but the abuses in the cocoa chain and much of the world's inequality today arise from it. Think of cocoa farmers living in poverty vs. rich multinationals or institutional racism in the West. We think it is important to make people aware of how the past affects the present. Because awareness is the first step towards change. And July 1 is the day to reflect on this.
Make July 1 a national day off #1JulyFree
We do not want to wait for politicians to take action, but ourselves take action and set a good example. That is why 2 years ago we made July 1 a day off for all Tonys. The call to make July 1 a national day off is getting louder every year. Last year, more than 62,000 people signed the petition from Nederland Wordt Beter, FunX and The Black Archives within 1 week. With Amsterdam and the other major cities apologizing for the history of slavery last year, the increasing media attention and the number of companies following our example, the momentum is there. July 1, like May 5, should be a day on which the Netherlands commemorates the victims of its perverse colonial past, reflects on how we can tackle current inequality in the world, and celebrates freedom.
< strong>release too!
More and more companies are following our example. This year, Greenpeace, Hammerfest and Vandejong are also releasing their employees. Also something for your organization? Then sign the statement and join us!
How do you celebrate July 1 (Keti Koti)?
This new day off is not for chilling, nope! But do you? So this:
- Go eat heri heri< /a> at various locations in the Netherlands.
- Read up via this reading list from White Homework.
- Go to the July 1 commemorationin the Oosterpark.
- Listen this podcast from The Black Archives,
- En call on your employer to release you. Because July 1 should be a day off!
- Oh yes, set your out of office in advance!
come and eat heri heri on July 1
And yes, this year too we will share with Free Heri Heri again heri heri (a symbolic dish that enslaved people used to eat) in Tony's Chocolate Bar on the Damrak and in our Home Store in Westerpark Amsterdam. This is a dish that is traditionally eaten on this day with cassava, banana, sweet potato, egg and salty fish. We distribute 750 meals, completely free, between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Be quick because it's gone!
Together we will make July 1 a national day of remembrance and holiday!