CALL TO ACTION!
STOP THE SMITHSONIAN TRANSFER OF 13 MORE BENIN BRONZES
The Smithsonian has secretly deaccessioned (removed from their collection) 13 more Benin bronzes — iconic treasures from the 12th to 19th centuries made in the Benin kingdom. Most of the relics were made with metal manillas they exchanged for captives the Benin kingdom sold to European transatlantic slave traders.
It is unknown whether the Smithsonian has transferred them to Nigeria or the Benin kingdom yet. The deaccessioning was done in spite of the fact that a lawsuit is pending to determine if their new “ethical return policy” for transfers is legal. The Restitution Study Group believes the new rule violates United States law and, in this case, it denies heirs of Benin kingdom victims access to their cultural property.
Write the Smithsonian Board of Regents and demand to know where are the 13 bronzes. Tell them to stop transferring the Benin bronzes! They belong to all of us!
CONTACT: Porter Wilkinson WilkinsonP@si.edu
Smithsonian Deacessioning Minutes
CALL TO ACTION! STOP THE BENIN BRONZE TRANSFERS
EMAIL THE VICE PRESIDENT & THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BOARD OF REGENTS:
Dear Vice President Harris & Smithsonian Board of Regents,
Don’t transfer Benin bronzes to Nigeria and slave trader heirs. Most were made with manilla currency paid in exchange for enslaved people! Save them for heirs of the enslaved!
THEY BELONG TO ALL OF US – The Benin bronze slave trade film, 6:58mins: youtu.be/SHFbYKrs8sU
Evidence:
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CALL THE WHITEHOUSE:
Tuesday-Thursday, 11a-3pm ET
Comments Line: 202-456-1111Sample Phone Messages –
Short Version:
My name is:_____________
Mr. President and Madam Vice President, don’t let the Smithsonian transfer the Benin bronzes to Nigeria and the Benin Kingdom slave trader heirs! They belong to all of us!
Long Version:
My name is: _____________
I’m calling to urge President Biden and Vice President Harris to stop the transfer of the Benin bronzes from the Smithsonian to Nigeria and the Benin kingdom heirs of slave traders. They must be shared with the heirs of the people the kingdom enslaved in exchange for the manilla currency they melted to make the bronzes – over 40 million African Americans and Caribbeans!
The bronzes are headed back to Benin City in Edo, Nigeria. It is still a slave trafficking capital of the world. These bronzes will reward criminals for selling human beings — a crime against humanity! They Belong to All of US!
AETNA — BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT BOYCOTT
JP MORGAN CHASE STUDENT LOAN BOYCOTT
JP Morgan faces boycott over slave trade reparations
Carl Mayer, Counsel for Plaintiffs at boycott press conference.
Restitution Study Group 