Updates & Video Replay: Immigration Gathering
[Updating] The Immigration Reform Action Group has called for people to gather on the grounds of Parliament today [March 4] to show concern about the proposed immigration legislation.
The announcement on social media said, “Black Friday! Brown Bags! Black Friday! Brown Bags!
“Let’s show the Government that there is not just a handful of Bermudians that are concerned about the proposed immigration legislation! They need to listen to the people of this country! We demand Comprehensive Bipartisan Immigration Reform now!!!
“Let’s all wear black on Friday, March 4th, 2016 and gather to have a brown bag lunch on the grounds of the House of Parliament. Bring a blanket or towel, bring a chair, bring another concerned Bermudian.
“We especially appeal to our fellow unemployed countrymen to join us. Let’s have a ‘sea of black’ on Parliament grounds. Even if you cannot join us for lunch, we ask that you still wear black on Friday as a show of support.”
There have already been four protests/gatherings over this matter in recent days, beginning with the chanting in the public gallery of the House of Assembly, which was followed by the protest at the information session which resulted in the event being closed down.
The third protest occurred in Hamilton last week, with hundreds of people outside the Government Administration building; and the fourth protest saw people gathering on East Broadway earlier this week.
Update 2.01pm: The event is winding down now, so we have cut the live video stream. We should have a replay up shortly.
Update 2.14pm: A 2-hour replay of the live stream is below, but it is *not* from an ideal angle, as we did it this way in order to hold a connection and bring a live stream under the adage ‘something is better than nothing’.
We will have video from a better angle posted later, however downloading/editing/uploading a 2 hour video takes time, so there will be a delay before we can post that, but in the meantime the live stream replay is below.
Update 10.14pm: Video of the crowd at the gathering added below.
Live updates are over, they are below from the beginning:
“The Immigration Reform Action Group” is what they call themselves, but I think “The Really Bad at Math Group” would be way more honest
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Robots is more suitable.
Just ask one of them exactly what they mean by comprehensive immigration reform–I think you will be surprised by their responses!!!
The most common response will be silence followed by maybe an umm then more silence.
What gives you the right to look down on people TD? Typical of you people…in your mind hundreds, maybe thousands, of people are just dummies right? Of all of those people, NONE of them have a clue? Wow!!!
Respectfully, Could you please explain what reform these people are looking for?
What changes to policy would YOU like to see the PLP employ?
How can people dislike my comment? I am asking a legitimate question in an attempt to understand?
Those dislikes are not from “people”. They are generated by an IP spoofing algorithm.
Your question deserves an answer.
It is said that the PLP tried for bipartism meetings on immigration last year. It didn’t happen. PLP also tried the Term Limits, that got shut down after the OBA came to be. What i still hear is having a BiPartism group meetings to draw up policies to follow, that i accept.
So nothing…just that the PLP want to be involved….OBA offered the PLP a seat, the PLP turned it down…How soon some people forget.
“You people??” “You people??” Did you really just say that?? And by that I assume you mean: “intelligent, articulate, fact-based, logical, rational…”
WOW most of these people here are retired !!!!
Wow retired people can vote
So what if they can?
No respectable political party would appease the hatred of some just as a means to sway their votes.
Hatred should never be appeased for political gain!
Tell that to Trump.
LMFAO
Right, but this is about immigration to support the economy. 20 years and a person is still not good enough?
400 years and some of us are still invisible!
How are their “jobs” being threatened? By taxpayers who have lived here 20 years and pay tax to support their pensions?
They are getting a pension. The people they do not care about is the young Bermudian because if they did care, they would want as many people here contributing for the future as much as possible.
Thank goodness for them because if we stayed out longer than our hour lunch and was seen in these pics or on the news we’d we fired:) Stand firm our retired Bermudians; we need you!
huh, why would you be fired?
Yes none. Because if they did have any clue, they’d be supporting immigration.
Verly thats is that forty Thieves way of thinking….
No, they did the opposite. When you opposed them, they hit you in the pocket to make sure you never stepped out of line again.
“We had to lie to you” and “they didn’t know what they were signing anyway” ..WOW how defensive and contradicting one becomes when the shoe is on the other foot, Verly.
This is why we fight that sort of thinking AND COMMENTS IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY….SMFH I PRAY FOR YOU IDIOTS AND YOUR NASTY THINKING WE DESERVE THE RIGHT TO FIGHT TO SAVE ARE KIDS FROM NOT HAVING A PLACE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY..
SINCERELY,
A hard working Bermudian…
KEEP THINKING WE ARE DUMB.. TRIANGLE DRIFTER…..
Please proof read your above comment.
Looking at the speakers….it was a PLP rally.
To all those who showed up…You just got played by the PLP !
suckers !
Meanwhile, just a scant few miles to the East and concurrent with this shrill malarkey…
A “Real Bermudian” is born:
http://www.nonsuchisland.com/live-cahow-cam/
The irony.
The dislike robot just got switched on I see.
Yes, Alaska Hall, we’re all just as dumb as you’d like us to be.
/sarcasm off
Ok Mr. Duke.
LMFAO
Looks like an retirement home field trip!
You’re a thoroughly awful human being.
Where are our white brothers who tell us one on one that this movement is right but then act as a group and stay away? Why? They want us to do the work like we had to do with the theatre boycott when we were told they supported us but never showed up outside of Island Theatre.They stayed home and when the victory was won they told us how they “were working in the background for us”.
I guess next we will get a nice Kumba Ya Letter from Glen Fubler,
Because your protests are shrouded in racial hatred as evidenced by the numerous comments made in public by its supporters.
I will never ever support a cause whose underlying motive is racial hatred and racial fear.
I will tell you one-on-one that you’re protesting against Bermuda’s well-being.
Ah so it is about black and white u bigot. Ignorance truly is bliss
The reason is because they don’t want to be excluded from the undeserved benefits that they are accustomed to, just like the Portuguese, we fought for them and they never supported the cause now they are honorary whites.
You fools will get it one day.
Um, not a bad turn out for a lunchtime meeting, and when we have de next one those that were scared or wasn’t sure what de turn out will be, will be encouraged to attend de next on.
The ancestors are rejocing!!!!!!!!!
Looks like they were walking through an initiation line.
LMFAO
When Europeans do this in Europe(or in Bermuda) it is glorified, but when Bermudians do it, de Europeans chastise it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk about brain damaged.
LMFAO
“Who do you think for whom they will vote? Where do they shop? Where do their children attend school? Who do they employ? Wake up Bermuda we are being left behind in our own country!!! We should be taken care of as well! Step back OBA Government; this is not the right way to treat your citizens!”
The above disgusting, racist, xenophobic statement was issued by the organisers of this so called ‘gathering.’
This language is no different than any past fascist leaders who have sought power by riling up hatred against a minority population who they blame all their ills upon.
Anyone who supports such rhetoric and beliefs are part of the problem in our island.
The double standards are sickening.
You realize that the money these folks generate pay civil servant wages….think about that before you go out there and shout your statements.
Without them , there would be less money for you and I !!!!!!!!!
Attending would be to biting your nose off to spite your face, so to speak.
What does that have to do with giving people status (ideally before next election) without a collaborative approach to determining pathways?
What maybe 100 people before the next election….if that….by the time the laws pass and the applications are processed you’d be lucky if 50 additional people could vote.
Remember there were 800 applications and about 200 (in 3 years) because of the PLP drafted law.
about 200 processed…
It’s actually impossible to bite your own nose off lol like trying to lick your own elbow……..you tried it didn’t you?
The actual expression is to cut your own nose off to spite your face.
You do realize that these people protesting represent buying power too right? Let them stop buying certain products and shopping at certain stores for just one month and see what happens!!
Why would they do that? Do Bermudians have employment at these stores?
My point is that it goes both ways. We all have choices about where to put our money. And unlike this administration, most of us actually care about our fellow Bermudians. If not, we would have boycotted these businesses a long time ago…
Our seniors are struggling now and now you are saying/hinting that the next step would be to encourage them to stop shopping at particular stores. Which stores would they be please so I can go in and get my Aunt a certificate and yes, my neighbor as well because I see their struggles with food, medication and the rest. Why? Because Verly and Aunt Peggy, their apartments used to be rented by Expats and there was no struggle. Now they have locals living there and it is friggin hard for them to get their rent paid or even on time. Sooooooooo – what is really your next step in the lives of our SEniors.
Your reading comprehension is poor. I never suggested or hinted at any such thing.
But they won’t. When the going was good no one complained. Everyone was welcome. Now things are tough they take issue with permit holders. Where were these folks 20 yrs ago?
What does anyone going out and shopping have to do with the immigration reform? Let all the foreigners go back to their countries then we would really have something to worry about in recto buying in Bermuda but this has nothing to do with today’s protest.
By the look of them that would be mostly BenGay amd mushy food.
@ Verly, Better yet stop moaning and playing the victim. Band together & open a few stores & fight that way. You would be hitting back harder plus employing fellow Bermudians… Get it? I doubt it!
Rather than forge their own destiny too many prefer to blame the white man, other black men etc for why life still hasn’t worked out better for them. SMH
Forget all that it’s more effective blogging here making silly & pointless threats that are self defeating because obviously it’s the white mans (or anyone else’s) job to provide employment.
Why don’t you call this ‘group’ by its real name: The PLP
A more relevant place for them to protest would be at Alaska Hall to demand that Marc Bean retracts his pledge to not collaborate with the OBA, and to publish their counter proposal for immigration reform..
Or Waltons Posse of misfits
You mean the PUP……..
Progressive Union Party.
someone should hand out rainbow flags at the gate!!
May I ask what the relevance of wearing black is? I thought red was the color of solidarity?
Black is for mourning from the effects of this jacked up Government.
I take it you are complaining about the policies that have ended our recession and begun to tentatively turn it back around so that Bermudians might once again have a chance to benefit from the country’s economic growth. Policies that understand that foreigners lead to local employment, in a market as small as ours, and that the PLP’s ‘Bermudians first’ policies and practices, put Bermudians last and out of work. Policies that recognize that if we do not welcome foreigners here, and recognize the long efforts many have committed here, then without them there won’t be a Bermuda left for Bermudians.
Dont even bother. Oj is most likely the dumbest person on these blogs. Prob sittin on his mommas couch rather than actually being there to support a cause he boasts about.
Hey Dreamer, how can de recession be ended when there is still a high % of unemployment and people STILL loosing jobs?
Oh I was looking at de wrong stats, de other section off people STILL have a high % of employment.
My bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats, you just confirmed you don’t know about how economics works, and even less about the actual employment drivers work in this country. You think that unemployment is bad now, it doesn’t take an imagination to know where it would have been had the PLP won in ’12 and kept following the failed philosophy they were practicing then… and still preach now.
On the bus this morning coming along front street were four men slumped against the building behind the bathrooms. They could be out looking for employment but prefer to spend what they have on liquor for the day and pan handle for funds to get food. Who do you blame for that OBA or themselves. To thy selves be true?
Hey Dreamer, can you name one country on this beautiful planet and not find a scenario that you just described.
Tic Toc
LMFAO
Paula said it was over years ago O.J.
Who’s the dreamer?
The is to ensure lots of old retired folks show up……they bought them in with it, kinda sad really to play old people with yesteryear references.
Hey Dipstick, de old retired ones are the ones who fought the REAL battle when de RACISM was raw and in ya face, so actually this aint nuffin new to them….Dipstick
LMFAO
And they were used…the PLP played reference to wearing black.
The PLP used our elders, that was shameful.
hmm- its kinda sad that you don’t understand these elderly have been through a lot and can compare now to when they were growing up in THEIR OWN HOME! they have every right to be wherever they want and its discrimination to say otherwise, I would even say hate speech because you are hating on the elderly who are a part of our society.. the elderly know things that we are not privy to and can teach you more than a few things.. hmm
I rag.
Bernews – whilst you are there covering this event, would you be so kind as to interview the demonstrators one at a time and ask them what they mean by Bipartisan Immigration Reform and lets count how many actually know what they are demonstrating about. After that count, I will or will not take them seriously.
I would also add a request to find out what exactly counter proposals for immigration reform do they stand for?? And this should be asked of each person.
Cow Polly you are a a***£**. I omitted part of the word beause I think BN would censor me. People of your ilk think that you are the only ones that are intelligent. The protesters feel that they have a legitimate cause, so like anywhere else in the world they are allowing their voices to be heard, plain and simple.
Yes, but what exactly are they saying, and who is saying what. Who there wants reform and who wants there to be no status avenues (which wouldn’t actually be reform)
I notices that you used the word ‘feel’ and thats the point i think Cow Polly is trying to make. The protesters FEEL like the have a legitimate cause as you said but how many of them can back it up with facts?
Guess I hit a nerve if all you can do is curse at me LOL!
But we are on the same page ‘Wake Up Bermudians’. All I’m asking is to hear the legitimate cause these protesters have from them themselves, plain and simple!
But you still have not said what you mean by Immigration Reform.
You use the word feel, which implies they are reacting with emotion, but policies governed by emotion will almost always fail. Has any of the protestors responded with a logical, fact driven argument about who this will cost Bermudians our future? Has anyone provided a logical alternative set of reforms?
Hey Cow S!@#, how about you ask them yourself.
TIRAG!
I’ll be there
I won`t be !
We are wearing white today !!! In respond to this grup.
Making sure our dollar doesn’t devalue because we take in too many immigrants. Thanks.
Our dollar will not devalue by taking in immigrants…That is the most uninformed and ridiculous statement ever !
Are you serious. Do you even understand how it works?
@hmmm…yeah…I think I can grasp that.
But Trisha thinks it will.
Ah, in that case my apologies… (Note: sarcasm doesn’t work very well on-line. )
Scariest comment yet! Our dollar is pegged to the US dollar and we are therefore unable to “print more money” which is what causes devaluation which is why our debt levels are SO much more dangerous than anywhere else. This lack of understanding of how our economy works by some is the REAL problem here
Please explain how allowing, people who have already been here 15 years plus to remain would devalue the dollar?
I cannot begin to understand your theory?
JT our dollar will devalue because the US dollar will…we are pegged as you know…in fact the FED has announced plans to devalue the dollar by 33% – shall I elaborate why?
Hint – it has nothing to do with this island and its silly little problems much like the financial meltdown of 08′ had nothing to do with us – yet we felt it badly – luckily for the bigoted and myopic type you/they had the PLP to blame – to a small measure you were right.
This next wave of failures that is coming however…lets just see if you are willing to label the OBA as the originator of our problems going forward then…
I just smh. so now it is a union thing. not this action group. idiots dont get it that they are marching for getting fired. less people is less money to pay their salaries. absolute complete and total idiots. wtf dont these protesters get?!?!?!
For those you support the Pathway to Status, and allowing these people the rights they deserve, please wear Blue!
Why dont you wear red so we can seperate the wheat from the weeds.
Bipartisan?
I don’t think the lemmings understand what that means and how impossible it would be given that everything is clearly black and white with these people.
Welcome to the real world.
You mean your world, no wait you don`t have one ! Its Walton Browns world your following, well have fun with that guy!
Yes, the real world where politicians use the issue of race to rile up the people and make this into something it isn’t. This is simply about fear. You are simply spreading fear and making a racial issue out of something that is not racial.
Black Friday? Please…..t
And de Democrats do it in America.
LMFAO
They don’t even understand the meaning to Civil Disobedience what would you expect.
Wear purple and block the entrance to cabinet grounds!
(or really, any colour will do!)
Would love to see that happen, actually um praying that would happen.
Why?
you would be surprised by the outcome of that confrontation mate. Lmao.
And I think de St. Davids Islanders are protesting too, so no rain dance today.
LMFAO
You know how to pray?
Yup, had been incorporated in my family for centuries, especially on de plantations.
Roots is on somewhere OJ. Prefer your previous name.
So your family came from the islands or the US? We had slavery here but I don’t think we had room for plantations. By your own words that means someone, at some time, gave you your(family) Bermudian status that you will now happily deny someone else. Even worse, you would deny that person because they’re the wrong colour. And please do not insult our intelligence by claiming that’s not true as that has been the only point anyone of the protesters has been able to make: the feared change in the colour of the voting population. And your comment history predominately promotes race issues. So, what exactly makes you more Bermudian than any one else? Oh, and whilst we’re here, the religion ‘incorporated in your family’ approves of slavery. Do you approve of slavery or not? It is part of your religion.
If you want to look at it like that, then EVERY European that is inhabiting ANY land that were first inhabited by Indigenous Peoples fits in that category too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And because Bermuda didn’t have BIG plantations like de Americas, Europe and the Caribbean that its a consolation for being a slave in Bermuda.
And for your information when the earlier settlers of Bermuda found out that the Africans were out numbering them, they tried to reduce their numbers, and it’s known that they systematically had an influx of Europeans flood Bermuda to balance the racial demographic.
And just like in Colonial days when they plotted to have slave revolts, there were slaves that got scared and told master, which caused whippings, branding and death, we have some of those today that are STILL scared of a protest.
Race issues have been around since Europeans started venturing.
And I agree with you that the religion that was given to us by our oppressors is a proto type of what our ancestors practiced thousands of years ago in Kemet (Egypt) before the Greeks invaded (again) and copied it.
Mmmmmmmmm
My point was that reguardless of the circumstances, your family, like mine and everyone elses, came from somewhere else. My comment about plantations was merely a way to get you to admit you, your family, came from elsewhere just like the very people you are trying to deny that exact same advantage to now. And as hard as it might be for you to believe, a number of the people you are denying are considered people of colour. Some are even black. The current population numbers, curtesy of Curb, state 65% black, 25% white, 10% other. Obviously, the evil machinations of past regimes have worked really well to limit the number of black Bermudians. The only vocalised complaints about this policy are about the fear that too many whites will get to vote. Which is as racist as you can get. It is also deluded. Even if every white person voted the same way, we still couldn’t win an election alone. Even if every one of the other 10% voted with us we still couldn’t win an election alone. There will always have to be blacks to bolster the numbers. I don’t have to guess what you think of those blacks. Heaven forbid they should have minds of their own and support the ‘white’ party. The PLP might have to consider broadening their appeal, might have to find issues that don’t rely on race baiting to win if the population were more equal. It is unlikely however, that this new policy will effect the numbers in any meaningful way as it relates to voting numbers. Now or in the future. Despite the scaremongering being prepetrated.
No one opposing this policy has given one logical or substantiated reason to deny anyone. They demand bi partisan consultation but don’t say what they would change except for the one racially based complaint. They are trying very hard to ensure that people don’t get the chance to listen and ask for themselves and decide for themselves what they believe. Come up with something substantive, put forward real concerns and people will agree and stand with you. But none of you are doing that. This all comes across as a bunch of people with hurt feelings because their opinions weren’t saught, and no real cause.
And again, whilst we are here, slavery has existed and been practised by many races for many centuries so trying to paint Europeans as the worlds greatest evil doers might not be historically correct. They are certainly responsible for some vile events in this world but they are surely not alone.
Oh really, then can you name these races that can outdo, captured from their Homeland, their same Home land that was plundered by the same captures who raped the land of its riches to enhance their greed, transported for months is subhuman conditions for 3 centuries, separated from families, countless lives became shark food, barbaric treatment for insurrection, stripped of culture, language, and religion, 400 years of free labor, being systematically lynched, whipped, raped, murdered and incarcerated.
And for the last 60 years fighting for social and economic acceptance in a system that that was stacked against them which thrived from the era of injustice.
Mmmmmmmmmm
I notice you latched on to the afterthought part of my comment. Are we to assume that you feel that because of all these awful past atrocities committed by all these europeans, all by them selves, that we are now obliged to deny others the right to the benefits we have all been granted? You address history, even recent history but blacks have not been the only ones fighting for equality for the last sixty years. NONE of that changes the issues surrounding this policy. Either you agree that people should have a right to earn status or you don’t. If you do then by all means explain what is wrong with the proposed legislation because all we hear at the moment is that it will result in far too many white people getting to vote. Denying someone because of their colour is discriminatory. Denying them because you believe all white europeans have an evil history is immature. Please come up with something not based on discrimination. Complaining that there wasn’t bi partisan consultation on the issue is juvenile. The Government has been trying to inform the public and answer their questions but their freedom of speech has been denied as has our right to form our own opinions. If you have any legitimate, substantive concerns spell them out. If they’re real, people will support you. Complaining of hurt feelings and past atrocities do not make for a solid agruement for denying people status.
All History is a current event
Everything that has ever happened continues to happen in some shape, form or fashion.
Let’s not forget that it was African tribes warring with each other who sold other tribes to Europeans.
Think about that for a second. Europe did not conquer Africa and enslave it. Africa conquered Africa, and divided into warring tribes sold itself to slavery.
Yeah. Bermuda is so famous for all it’s plantations.
No, not really, but plantations don’t define slavery.
Duuhhhh
U know full well your ancestors werent on any bleddy plantation. Stop lying bie.
do you realize who Sally Basset was? Do you know my mother or grandmother and wht happened to them at the hands of people called slave masters? NO ! so just because you didn’t have my experience doesn’t negate it! check out the history of Bermudians before you reply
That’s one part of their History they just want to disappear, but gladly enjoy the benefits from it.
Power of social media. Ignore it at your peril – game changer. Own your MP IRG. Convert your union into economic power – respect.
Quo Fata Ferunt
The Union right now is the largest economic drain on our economy, that is a FACT!
insurance is the biggest drain!
Actually, insurance rates are governed by mostly by regulation on their minimum charge, government fees and the regulated doctors and hospital fees. The biggest drain is Bermudians that buy everything from overseas.
You can’t be talking about the reinsurance industry as that is 85% of our money coming in. So you must be talking local insurance….well:
No because the insurance money generally stays on the island, where it provides employment, perhaps investor returns, comfort and peace of mind to purchasers of policies and payment of claims to Bermuda in case of loss.
Not sure how you see insurance as the biggest drain in Bermuda? Please explain MJ.
do you no why we have “stocks” in st. georges? The slaves were the first insurance property, to ensure that if any died, the slave master would be compensated, he received 20million pounds when slavery was abolished because he no longer had his cash flow(slaves) so now he takes the money from the slaves through an insurance policy without any returns and you think that we are not still enslaved and um suppose to agree to give away free money! THAT IS A JOKE,we never had insurance fifty years ago, we saved our own money and were not subjected to banking system which is also slaver as well as our prisons,. why after all spend so much money to punish people instead of correcting the ways of the unjust system.. don’t answer, I already know about greed!
Actually its de only entity that is stopping employers from exploiting Bermudian workers, like they are doing to our guest “modern day slave” workers.
Mmmmmmmmmm
There are now employment laws in place to protect workers….The unions are really not needed today….They won’t like me saying that…but they know it.
Um Dreamer, those laws got put in place because of the UNIONS, they needed a guide line of how to treat workers and it does not supersede the CBA, so guess who they got their blueprint from. LMFAO
So if you feel that the Unions are not needed today, then get rid of de Bermuda Employers Council, Chamber of Commerce, etc…..from when I last checked, they are Unions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMFAO
Come on rain, let’s have you! This is going to be hilarious.
Its gonna take more then a rain dance.
You know….”Sea of Pink” would be better. “Sea of Black” has connotations that only a particular people can join. Also, by having a “Sea of Pink” you can support the LGBT for gay marriage….but that’s a whole other drama.
I hope it pours with rain… it’s sickening me that people are bringing this issue into work with them. IDC what your PERSONAL beliefs are, DO NOT disturb my work environment!
Oh and i’m wearing BLUE today
FYI, it’s supposed to pour…. so take ya swimming caps!
Showers of Blessings
God’s tears.
George Carlin once said, never underestimate the power of Stupid People in large groups.
Yes, I agree…I’m afraid of you!
George Carlin was a genius. Right? Maybe we should all do as many drugs as him to reach that level of intelligence.
I see why you are tinman
The REAL truth
“We must overthrow the Government by any means necessary. Including disinformation….” Dr. Ewart Brown cousin of Walton Brown
The PLP/Unions are in high gear now out of fear of what will turn up in upcoming Commission of Enquiry….
“Who do you think for whom they will vote? Where do they shop? Where do their children attend school? Who do they employ? Wake up Bermuda we are being left behind in our own country!!! We should be taken care of as well! Step back OBA Government; this is not the right way to treat your citizens!”
The above racist statement is the rallying call for these so called ‘protestors.’
Anyone that supports the above statement is a disgusting fascist/racist.
Nothing like making time/being punctual to your own protest! ; )
So instead of one handful we have two.
It is very sad to see the disdain for locals expressed via these comments. Until we all show more respect for the rights of each other we will make no progress. Why worry about the rights of one group of people at this time when we need to get respect for the rights on each other.
Where was the respect when they blocked hundreds of people getting to work and school?
I’m a local and I do not feel any distain towards us!
I look forward to the day that the people on this small 21 square mile island can be healed of their brokenness. When I read the comments, it reveals that we are such a broken people. God I pray that we would all be delivered from all the hate and bitterness because the enemy is using every situation on this island to divide us and strengthen his reign. Restore the people of Bermuda. We cant go on like this for much further.
For the first time in the near 20 years I have been here on a year to year renewal I feel like an unwanted out cast. (I possess I.T. skills few in the world do). Its disheartening to see this. I always felt welcomed and belonging here by everyone I met and now I feel like that in secret or behind my back the opposite was being said and it was all an illusion.
Now today Im even a bit worried about going out to get lunch. I wont be able to help but to think when I see someone wearing black if they are because they support these people and in reality don’t want me here.
I just feel sad and really wonder if it isn’t time to move on 
Been thinking the same thing – I told my family just the other day that maybe it is time to start looking for our next adventure. Our money is very portable, as are we.
Yes, Hard to even look at the pictures. If I saw someone I’ve known well for all these years supporting them I’d feel really even more hurt.
There are thousands more that don’t support those gathering today. It was no more than 300 people out of an electorate of over 30,000. I can understand your apprehension though.
LMAO!!!
WHAT A JOKE!!! You haven’t been supporting me.
I’ve been working since I was 10 years old. Way before you got to this island. Every Saturday and every summer I would work for the people who REALLY brought jobs to the island. The people who REALLY hired Bermudians. They are the ones who had respect for a Bermudian trying to make their way up to the top. They are the ones who were willing to pay a proper wage to a Bermudian. Sadly the PLP drove all those people away and let those who couldn’t care less about Bermudians stay.
My family built this island up to what it is today and you! you! who ONLY came 20 years ago want to imply that I being a Bermudian owe you something. I’ve put millions into Bermuda and you think that you supported me. HA! HA! HAAAA!
I think you need to read what he wrote again. You clearly misunderstood.
So you admit PLP drove all those people away…good.
He never said they supported you.
I know your mad at people like him, but take time to actually read what is being said instead of flying off the handle.
Yes you’re correct. I reread the post and they didn’t say that. I was seeing red from from the amount of times I’ve read others claim that Bermudians owe them something because they work in the country.
I do apologies for that misread SadAndDisheartened.
What in the world are you on? That poster said NOTHING about supporting you or anyone else. Are you even replying to the correct post???
Glad you’re in IT because the analogy of comparing Bermuda to a screensaver you will understand. Its all pretty pictures until you touch that mouse and it all goes away.
Helloooo!
I don’t think people have a problem with you being here. The problem is that whomever your employer is should be having you teach a Bermudian to do your job. If that was happening no one would be here for that long. the problem is Bermudians with no employment. Don’t take it personal, Bermudians are starting to look out for themselves. Other countries do the same.
That’s a great way to bring business to the island! “Hey, incorporate here, where we make you hire two people for every role!”
Why do you feel entitled to a job just because you are Bermudian? Why can’t you earn it like everyone else in the world?
You are entitled if you are qualified! No one is saying hire 2 people. If someone goes away to get there education comes back and gets experience they should get the once the expats work permit is up. Companies keep renewing them knowing a Bermudian can fill the position now.
Sad and Disheartened probably went to college for a long time and then worked for years to gain his clearly exclusive and valuable skills. Why can’t Bermudians go and do the same thing?
Ahh Ewart’s old “Sven trains Johnny”. Hi 2007, nice to see you again!
You do understand that your little plan drastically increases the cost of doing business here, which would drastically reduce the amount of business done here, right?
10 Year permits are for those who are considered to have necessary skills for Bermuda. If you’re on a year to year renewal than it’s obvious you position has not been necessitated. You are just lucky that the people working in immigration are incompetent and have no clue who to rubber stamp and who not to.
If you really possessed IT “skills few in the world do” you would be a multi-billionaire like Larry Ellison who really does have those skills. Bermuda is the last place anyone with the highest level of IT skills would think of working. There’s not a significant enough market for it here.
Besides IT is forever changing and someone straight out of university would know more than you. Nevertheless by all means play the martyr as no one can stop anyone from being their own biggest fan. Just know this, no one said they didn’t want you here and that you weren’t welcome they just said that if OBA is going to make immigration reform it needs to be more comprehensive.
If you don’t understand what comprehensive is than just look at other countries policies. There are many stipulations in theirs than the OBA’s elementary school book policies. I know Bermudians who had to wait years to have their permits accepted in other countries. They had to go back and fourth to the country to take immigration tests and sit immigration interviews before being accepted. University graduates who had temporary job placements there because they were educated in that country. When their time was up they were asked to leave and apply for a permit like everyone else. Don’t pretend your any more entitled because I guarantee after sitting off for 20 years if you applied to a country where major IT skills were needed you would be told to go back to school and get further education.
@TheOriginalTruth:
you clearly don’t understand the IT industry. it is very broad and very deep. take the CCIE for example. less than 1% of IT professionals globally hold this certification. Does Larry Ellison have the CCIE? Who knows, but that’s not what made him rich. Founding the company that sells one of the largest database applications (and developing the software to boot) probably had something to do with that. That doesn’t automatically make him the most skilled IT person in every specialization (networking/infrastructure/data warehousing/security/virtualization/ to name a few).
I think the large international business that pay Bermuda’s bills and keep the lights on have a better understanding of the specialized support skills they need than you do.
IT is forever changing, but IT never changes. If you actually understood the industry you wouldn’t be making such ignorant blanket statements.
An IT certification is only worth something if it is current. In case you don’t know what that means, you have to re-test every year or two to prove you still remember what to do, and to prove you’ve kept up to date with current developments. Any IT professional worth their salt will be constantly studying and re-certifying. A fresh college graduate will not automatically have all of the required certifications in their chosen IT specialization, and it’s naive to say they do. (I think you just threw that in there to be hurtful, shame on you)
Here’s a few examples of how IT never changes:
The TCP/IP standard (which defines how network packets travel the internet) was published in January 1991.
IPV6 was standardized in Dec. 1998, eighteen years ago, and the global IT industry is only just starting to use it. We’re still too heavily invested in IPV4, which was standardized in Sept 1981, over 30 years ago.
Industry standards for database language is SQL, which was designed in 1970 and became standard in 1987, and very little has changed in the core principles.
They have the speakers and the music pumping.
Typical.
GO TO WORK, THIS IS NOT A GAME OR PARTY.
Be careful Aceboy – remember the lady that stood on the balcony of a restaurant on Front St. and yelled “go back to work?” She got made a mockery and fired from her job. But I guess she wasn’t blocking traffic or holding up written signs. Was that the only difference or was there another one…my mind betrays me.
There was more to her tirade than a simple “Go back to work” and you know that for a FACT so let’s not use that as a comparison. ..She lost her job for a reason. .
What reason
most people with Phds have been betrayed.
I would encourage the protest organisers to not allow their protest to be taken over by those who have another agenda other than Immigration reform! Ohhh toooo late Chris Furbert is speaking!
Maybe we should build a wall around the island and see how we get on by ourselves with no outside help.
The Union Flag at sessions house is upside down!!
A few more policies and issues like “no bid airport”, “immigration reform” and the like and the racial divide will crystallize for the next election and OBA will find it very tough going to return to government.
In a way, with its policies the OBA seems to be purposefully doing this.
This was never going to be a popularity contest, whichever party was in power.
However the PLP has done a disservice to its followers by not assisting the OBA in getting the country out of trouble. Instead they have resisted every initiative regardless of whether it was a good one or not and have not come up with any decent alternatives.
Robbing the pension fund was their latest ‘grand plan’ to get us out of the financial mess we find ourselves in. Really?
Hand out flyers to educate this bunch
Ok…..who did the rain dance this morning? Priceless
A huge waste of time. The real business is being done INSIDE the house. The 70% majority will prevail.
Seeing the belittling comments here against a group of people mostly made up of Black Bermudians, is it any wonder why we continue to have two Bermudas? Where are our white Bermudians because this affects them too? Do they care? And people wonder why race is brought into these conversations? Amazing.
Figure it out would you! Ask yourself this, how many black people live here? Keep that number in your head, now count how many black people are there today and do the math. Now do the same with the white people.
Those of us who are not there,,,,,,DON`T AGREE WITH YOUR PROTEST!!!!!!
Read the clarion call blew that was espoused by this particular group:
“Who do you think for whom they will vote? Where do they shop? Where do their children attend school? Who do they employ? Wake up Bermuda we are being left behind in our own country!!! We should be taken care of as well! Step back OBA Government; this is not the right way to treat your citizens!”
Now ask yourself why some Bermudians would join a group that retain that mindset?
And despite you and the PLP’s fear mongering nothing bad will happen if these people get status. Just like nothing has happened with these people being in Bermuda for at least two decades.
As a white Bermudian I refuse to support any hate group that seeks to divide and rile up hatred against others due to their perceived differences.
That goes for black and white by the way.
Personally I find that anyone that belittles such hatred is justified in doing so.
liar liar–who are you to define hate.. hate was defined as a young man who went into a church and murdered people saying he hated them, THAT IS HATE!! having an opinion that is different from yours or anyone else is freedom, which apparently you are against, being you are white!
looks to be a lot of older folks there or people nearing retirement… duno where the money for pensions or futurecare is coming from…
All I see is a PLP rally.
Looks like the funeral procession has started with all that black.
R.I.P. OBA
More like RIP Bermuda.
starting with a prayer? what a contradiction – if anything God would want you to be more welcoming of those who have lived amongst us and are coworkers, neighbours and friends.
Someone has rained on their parade
So the Winfield lady, and People’s Complainer Tweed are there. Bermudians can’t even do and anti foreigner campaign without expat help. Haha only in Bermuda.
Sad, inna. Moan about expats then have expats leading the charge against expats.
Only in Bermuda.
Who the expat?
Tweed
All I see are Old, Close-minded people. Most of them not even 1st-gen Bermudians. I hope they know that if they go through with this and we lose most of our ex-pats due to discrimination prices will go up, tourism will go down, the worldview of Bermuda would be changed and Trump would make this his summer vacation spot.
I would have more respect for these people and their cause if they had actually listened (and allowed others to listen) at the information session. Because they did not, I’m not convinced they really even understand what exactly they are protesting about or if they even want to know.
According to Rev. Tweed these are all of the “righteous people”. I really detest the mixing of politics and religion!
Does anyone else the irony of a work permit holder leading an anti immigration protest? This about overthrowing the Government…..before the Commission of Enquiry
I though Reverands were suppose to be a messenger of God?
I thought God loved all and everyone no matter their origins, race or lot in life?
So the absolute best they can do is have an expat preacher talk on getting rid of expats ??
This is the funniest thing I have ever seen.
They cant even protest against expats without having an expat do it for them. Pathetic in the worst way.
I still haven’t stopped laughing at these pathetic folk. Drink the koolaid.
Hahaha.
In less than 5 minutes the top comment went from 30 likes to almost 300.
PLP you fool nobody but yourselves.
*went from 30 dislikes to almost 300
PLP autobots unite!
All about deceit, always has been.
OBA stick to your guns! It’s never easy leading or being the Government.
I have friends here on the island at the moment, and they were told in a bar on Front Street yesterday that expats are taking jobs in Bermuda and all Expats just come here and take what they can and ship money back to their own countries and that they are not welcome- They were tourists!!!
To be honest, after hearing about this level of outburst without even having the correct facts, I’m seriously thinking about my exit from Bermuda and taking my expertise with me because that’s why I’m employed and was chosen from many to work here.
Then I won’t be paying
Somebodies mortgage by paying rent, electricity, gardening fee’s or water when my tank runs low in the summer. Less deliveries, less work for drivers and employers, increasing unemployment.
Won’t be buying groceries, or my lunches from Sandwich shops or restaurants. Certainly won’t be having a take away night with a bottle of wine or friends round drinking crates of Corona from Local supermarkets. Less work, price war on food starts to bring in as many customers as they can which reducing salaries and even increase unemployment and outlet closures.
Maintenance, mooring fees, registration fees or gas for my boat
Maintenance, insurance, TCD fees and gas for my car as I will be selling it.
Won’t be flying in both my parents, sister and cousin once a year as I have done for 7 years, which now saves us all paying airport taxes, food, taxis, bus fares, eating out which will now also reduce the tourist figures. Many expats fly in family every year greatly boosting tourism figures.
Impacting customs and immigration staff as less staff will be needed
And the list can go on.
Be careful what you wish for because after the horse has bolted, no point in starting a new campaign to get the government to create work and jobs and insist they bring the economy back, Or there will be a mass exit of Bermudians to other countries to do what they campaigned against..become an expat in another country which you will find acceptable !!!!!
The good news is that of an island of 600000 only about 200 showed up!
So true, friend at the bank told me they have seen huge increase in funds transfer, to the US,UK,Canada etc. Expats moving savings for possible departure.
Stop bluffing. The only way you would leave is if you were asked to. Just name one place better that you could go to. Just the same reasons your tourist friends visited Bermuda is the same reason you will stay if you can. I’m sure every worker in the IB sector who left because their business left would have stayed if they still had a job. OBA took term limits away and the IB didn’t flood back in because it wasn’t the term limits that did it it was the overhead. Technology has changed and IB can outsource to cheaper places or move to cheaper places.
No this is not a bluff. I have friends who have been here for over 35 years ,and their children were born here .No one in the family has status and the hatred and anti foreigner sentiment at the moment is making them think about a plan b.They have contributed and have given back to our community a millionfold.What else do they have to do to be accepted and allowed to continue their lives here with some security for the future?If and when they leave they will stop paying rent to their Bermudian landlord (which has effectively paid for his house over 20 years),they will stop contributing to your grannys pension , stop eating in local restaurants, stop buying food in the supermarkets, and the list goes on . This is so sad as both children only know Bermuda ,they are now at an age where they can understand .Having been brought up here ,with nearly all Bermudian friends it is tough to be told you are not wanted in the only place you know .Some of the haters will say “GO BACK”but where will they go to,this is their home? .I honestly hope common sense and will prevail in this matter.
So true and this is already exactly what Bermuda is starting to lose and feeling the pinch from. Fehy is just trying to stop the bleeding. If it continues last one out please turn off the lights!
Bunch of xenophobic people who all came from elsewhere at some point in time.
What thats it??? Wow, Rapidly losing ground and support Walton Brown! And Tweed you would be one of those WB is trying to kick out ain`t you??
This protest is sad! The PLP has brainwashed to much closed minded Bermudians. Micheal Fahy’s Plans makes perfect sense and we as Bermudians need to let that men work and back him all the way. Micheal fahy truly wants the best for all Bermudians, and i pray that the majority of my people educates them self so they can see that.
Was looking for photos of a “sea of black” and instead saw images of brightly coloured um um brellas.
cool:)
Immigration is a passionate topic across the world. Look at the issues Europe and the USA face with their borders. Debating the topic definitely brings out the very worst in people – and Bermuda is not alone in the xenophobia packaged up as something else.
Whats different is that Bermuda can control who it invites into the fold. The significant majority are highly educated and paid and have been living among us for decades. They are not opportunists looking for a quick break. Call them what you will, they are part of the fabric of what makes Bermuda great.
There is nothing to be scared of, the USA and Europe would love to have immigration “challenge” like Bermuda’s. Failing to abide by internationally recognised human rights is a slippery slope that can only take us to a very bad place.
I can’t stop laughing at this pathetic public display, what really makes me laugh just listen to the music BOB MARLEY ONE LOVE. You people need a life and a reality check can’t see the forest because of the trees. All you do is complain about what should be right. Just a bunch of backward thinking people, thinking that you are better than all the rest. Keep going OBA if it were Bob himself telling its going to all right you all would have went home.
Wow a significant portion of the country really turned out!
I know right embarrassed
In the words of Donald Trump…
YOUR FIRED
This would a perfect time for Bermuda’s LBGT community to join forces with this group for a common cause. But it wont happen because most of Bermuda’s LBGT community are not Bermudians and they are the ones who will benefit mostly from this immigration reform.
I accept likes & dislikes.
Bernews dislike button is broken or someone has overridden it.
This is a first.
Lots of messaging /texting calls going on……………………………
These people just don’t get simple ecenomics and what is in their own best interest. Scare away all the expats and PRC’s, make them feel unwelcome and the local businesses and ecenomy will not survive. Remember our population is shrinking and our number one source of income is international business. Beleive me once they are gone these people will be crying to get them back here.
You make valid points, but to give them outright citizenship is not the right path to go. Term limits I feel are more feasible. Once their term is up, if there isn’t a Bermudian who can replace him/she in that particular line of work then the permit can be extended.
I feel many black Bermudians have the perception that these term limits will benefit mostly white Canadians/ white UK nationals but don’t realize there are many black Caribbeans nationals here as well working in the farm industry, many Portuguese working within the construction industry and we all know many Filipinos working in every industry,lol.
So a person who has lived here for 20 years, paying taxes, rent, tuition for their kids school, etc. should have to uproot their family and move somewhere else if a Bermudian can possibly do their job? Why does a Bermudian deserve the job more than a person who has been working it for years? Why can’t Bermudians earn what they get like everyone else in the world?
Name me 5 countries that allow what you are stating?
One has to wonder as to how many of today’s protesters would attend a ‘protest’ if the protest was against the missing $’s….!
There is no begging going on. Pack your bags and head on home to whereever you cave you crawled in from. Don’t keep checking just move on. We don’t need you and if you think it not so then just quickly leave and see how replaceable you are and how quick we forget you. So don’t get hit by the PINK BUS on the way out because you are EXPENDABLE but it will save us left if we don’t have to bury you and you tarnish our soil any further. BYE and DON’T COME BACK !!!
Oh my god. Did you hold your breath for 10 mins before you typed that? Trust me, it’s you we Bermudians can do without.
Not only do you get most hateful comment of the day but now the Alaska hall likers/dislikes have to not only live with intentionally trying to deceive their fellow countrymen but they have to live with raising the likes on this comment. If I had a thought process like you I’d remove myself for the betterment of society and this is being the least graphic about it as I can. The nice thing is, you will answer for that one day.
Ignorance at its finest. Race always seems to be a focal point. What a shame. Bermuda founded my immigrants but hate immigrants? Doesnt make any sense at all.
What is Bermuda going to be held ransom by about 100-150 people who have no idea? No do they realize that they – yes they have also been imported into this Island!! No-one is truly a Bermudian.
There is no begging going on. Pack your bags and head on home to whatever cave you crawled out of. Don’t keep checking or waiting on a phone call, just move on. We don’t need you and if you think it not so then just quickly leave and you will see how replaceable you are and how quickly we forget you. So don’t get hit by the PINK BUS on the way out because you are EXPENDABLE but it will save us a penny if we don’t have to bury you and we won’t you tarnish our soil any further with the likes of you. BYE and DON’T COME BACK !!!
As a wise man once told me…”THIS TOO SHALL PASS!”
2016.
It’s not the year that bothers me it’s the # of people drinking expired coolaide/Kool Aid.
Isn’t Reverend Tweed an expat himself? Why is he speaking at an iimigration protest lol
Anybody notice it only rained for the period these numpties were there? LoL, another ‘huge’ gathering. you dont represent me or my country. isnt Tweed an american? why he even speakin?
The queen…did her best with all the promotion of this little get together this week & all she gets is a couple hundred to show up.
Even the flag outside the Sessions House was upside down in distress…..
I for one am happy the OBA govt. is in power. Our young people can clearly see how Bermuda was run under the UBP and just how racist policies are put into place and more importantly, just how many racist people support these policies. Now they can experience first hand what were telling them prior to the 2012 election.
The only thing is I had no idea just how much some bermudian was hated in our own country.
Someone asked, why are Bermudians being bypassed in the workplace and would rather hire foreign workers? – why don’t we ask that ourselves? It is because we have become complacent. We need to start educating our people to keep up with the times and really compete vigorously in the workforce. We need to convince employers that we can do the job as good or even better than the expat worker. The world has changed and is changing fast – we gotta move with the times. If you want that job, apply for it. Stay the course, work hard, and be grateful for it.
It’s not even complacency. Every single effort made by the government and private sector to get more Bermudians in the workplace has failed spectacularly. Current generation of young Bermudians are lazy, doped up, uninspired, impatient, drunk, offensive, reactive and very unpleasant to deal with.
The amount of times I’ve seen a young Bermudian suck their teeth at their employer because they made a comment about their attire, work ethic or language astounds me and I’m only a 26 year old Bermudian getting his foot in the door!
Change your attitudes, improve your work ethic, get off WhatsApp, leave that bottle or spliff until Friday and put your nose to the grindstone so that Bermuda will have a tomorrow!
Is this still going on right now? If so I wanna go watch! **grabs popcorn**
Bob Marley excuse me while I light my splif o lord I need to take lift. Total madness people l wonder how many Bible beaters were there so called Christian people just look at your selves from the back row and you will see what I mean love you people don’t know what love and peace is nothing but hate and division is what fuels you all wouldn’t know what happynes was if it slapped you in the face
Whir they found Janis Joplin ?
Yet another PLP/Walton Brown/PC/Sign Lady EPIC FAIL!!! It has become common place with you lot,,,FAIL !!!!