Community gathering to honour Progressive Group

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31: Imagine Bermuda is planning a Community Stakeholder Gathering for February 8, 2013 from Noon to 2 pm at the Cathedral Hall, Church Street, Hamilton. The theme is “At a Crossroads, Envisioning a Future”, captures the fact that the island is in a phase of transition, given the challenges of experiencing the highest levels of unemployment in several decades and the unprecedented cycle of violence.

This event is being held on February 8th marking the Anniversary of the 1st meeting of the Progressive Group.  The small group of ordinary residents held their first secret meeting in Flatts, on Feb. 8, 1959. They went on to make an extraordinary difference by bringing about the most significant transformation of the Island in the 20th Century; through the genius of the Theatre Boycott. Of course that achievement was accomplished because they too stood on shoulders of people who worked in the decade leading up to that watershed event.

CITV is working in collaboration with this effort to bring the various sectors of the island together in dialogue. They will be airing “When Voices Rise”, all next week at 5.30 pm and 10 pm – from Monday – February 4th. This movie by Errol Williams captures something of a Bermuda story of how people can face a challenge and rally together to make a difference in their own lives and that of the wider community.

For those attending Cathedral Hall on February 8th, the dialogue will begin with what lessons can be learnt from that shared heritage around 1959, the example of citizen action – what can be achieved together. From there the conversation will move to how we can work together today, to make a difference.