The mayor of what was once a slaving post in Senegal says a local square has been renamed, as protesters around the world challenge symbols of imperialism and racism in public spaces.

Gorée Island's place de l'Europe will now be called place de la Liberté, meaning Freedom Square.

Mayor Augustin Senghor explained the decision to RFI:

Quote Message: It all started from the events we've seen in the United States, with the case of George Floyd.
It all started from the events we've seen in the United States, with the case of George Floyd.

Quote Message: We thought that Gorée, given all that it represents, should play its part in this global movement that's calling for a new order for peace, racial equality, and dignity."
We thought that Gorée, given all that it represents, should play its part in this global movement that's calling for a new order for peace, racial equality, and dignity."

Millions of enslaved Africans were forcibly sent through this island and other similar trading posts en route to the plantations of the New World, including the US.