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Macron marks 175th anniversary of abolition of slavery in France

France

French President Emmanuel Macron marked the 175th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in France on Thursday with a tribute to ex-slave Toussaint Louverture, father of Haiti's independence and a "tireless fighter" for freedom, the Elysée presidential palace announced.

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Emmanuel Macron célèbre le "héros" franco-haïtien Toussaint Louverture.
Emmanuel Macron célèbre le "héros" franco-haïtien Toussaint Louverture. © Capture d'écran France 24

Macron paid tribute to General Toussaint Louverture (1743-1803) at the Château de Joux, where the Franco-Haitian general was imprisoned until his death, laying a wreath in front of a bust of Louverture before giving a speech. 

Louverture inspired millions to seek freedom after he and other Black leaders from the French-held territory of Saint-Domingue in present-day Haiti successfully defeated their colonial oppressors.

Click on the video player above to watch the full speech.