The statue, made of bronze, was created in 1985 by Barbadian-Guyanese sculptor Karl Broodhagen 20 years after the island's independence.

In 1998 the Cuban President, Fidel Castro delivered an impassioned speech at the statue during his visit to Barbados.

[1] The statue sparked a debate on Twitter in 2017 as it reminded many that such representations of freed slaves did not exist in the USA.

[2][3] Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin [Queen Victoria].

Now Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-JinThis was the chant of thousands of Barbadians when slavery was abolished in 1838, signifying their freedom, joy and happiness, five years after the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.