Video: Standing Ovation For Ottiwell Simmons
Ottiwell Simmons, an iconic figure in the island’s labour movement, received a standing ovation after it was announced in the Throne Speech that a building will be named after him “to recognise his unrivaled sacrifice in the service of the labour movement in Bermuda.”
As seen in the video below, the announcement was warmly welcomed by the crowd, with the video showing people including Premier David Burt, Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier, former Premier Sir John Swan, MPs, Senators and many others all standing to applaud, as they turned to look at Mr Simmons.
The Throne Speech said, “Local and international parties have long called for a centre for this purpose and so the Government will devote two floors of the Allenhurst Building [the old Hamilton Police Station] as an arbitration centre, with the remainder of the building to be used for complimentary amenities.
“To recognise his unrivaled sacrifice in the service of the labour movement in Bermuda, the building will be named in honour of Mr. Ottiwell Simmons, the former Member of the Legislature and President of the Bermuda Industrial Union.”
You can view our live blog of the Throne Speech here, and all our coverage of the 2018 Throne Speech here.
A deserved accolade. Too bad the building is mould infested!
Well if they can renovate de airport and it got an award …………..
Well maybe the union can find some spare change to remediate the mold….let’s look at the books.
Joe Bloggs:
Blogged!!Stuffed!!Rude!! Non-Bermudian approach!!
Ottiwell, you are most deserving of your OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS to Bermuda, especially to the black people of this country.
You are a heroic and delightful human being who advocated against racial unfairness and economic inequity amongst your people.YOU will be FOREVER remembered in all of our hearts. It was a wonderful feeling of pride for Bermuda, as we “all” stood up for you this morning, before the reading of THE THRONE SPEECH.
From the time I was a little girl, you, Lois Browne-Evans and Fred Wade stood out. Admirable. Dr. Ball,David Allen too!!
Your tireless and forthright energy was most noted, this morning on Cabinet Grounds!
Well-deserved!!God RICHLY bless you, MR.OTTIWELL SIMMONS!!
A fitting tribute.
Here we go again, renaming buildings and locations is what the PLP do best.
Let’s forget what the strikes did to Tourism that he led and put him on a pedestal!
@Aceboy so you think people/workers should not have rights and be treated as slaves! The people walked off the jobs for a reason and research the history! People worked very hard and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity!
Unfortunately in Bermuda’s History the Oligarchy and the racist don’t treat people that way! First they did it to the blacks to be treated horrible and now it’s the Philippinos and other nationalities being treated as slaves here!
Well I won’t forget this guy did nothing for this island.
No public building or facility should carry the name of a politician. JMHO.