‘We should never forget the sacrifice they made’

Keepin’ it reel: Altonio Roberts, Nishanthi Bailey, Laurel Burns, Ty’esha Oswald, DeAzha Chambers, Raymond Johnson, Jennie Foster Skelton and Stephanie Matthews rehearse ahead of their performance on on Front Street to remember and celebrate those who took part in the Theatre Boycott.  *Photos and montage by Gary Foster Skelton

To honour the 55th anniversary of the theatre boycott, a troupe of actors will put on a dramatic presentation beneath the flagpole on Front Street tonight as part of Harbour Nights. 

The performance, which starts at 8pm, will be followed by music and dance, and the celebration will be hosted by Wendy Davis Johnson and Thaao Dill.

Activities will include a‘special surprise’ put together by a planning group made up of students from five of the island’s senior schools. 

US Consul General Bob Settje said that “Americans everywhere would like to join the people of Bermuda in recognizing and honouring those who acted courageously to further the cause of civil rights in Bermuda.  

“As President Barack Obama has said, “Freedom, justice, and peace in the world begin with freedom, justice, and peace in the lives of individual human beings.

“Those brave individuals who stood up so long ago and demanded freedom and justice— like many in my own country during the same period — remain an example to us all.”

He added: “Our world is better off because of them, and for that we will forever owe them our gratitude and respect. They are heroes whose efforts resound to this day and remind us that all human beings deserve the freedoms of expression, religion, assembly, and association, regardless of borders, race, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, or income level. Let us follow their example. Let us never forget.”