Activist: William Cuffay (1788-1870) 

• I HAVE to write and thank you for this year’s coverage of Black History Month and also your Black History Makers supplement with the forgotten hero and activist William Cuffay.

In my view poor Cuffay (1788-1870) was the victim of targeted racism as he was singled out as black man who was very vocal in support of the Chartists’ cause.

There was a paid informer who gave false evidence at his trial to have him convicted of rioting and revolt.

He was involved in neither as it was later proved; but too late as he had been transported to Tasmania where he was made to serve a life sentence as he was never able to leave after he was freed from his prison sentence. He died poor and homeless.

As he would have spent a lot of time Clerkenwell, I feel we should put up some sort of plaque or memorial to this man who fought for people to have the right to vote today.

RAPHAEL ANDREWS