The following is an Open Letter to the People of Bermuda.

*** We, the undersigned religious leaders invite you to join ourselves, Beyond Barriers, the Human Rights Commission and CURE in the observance of this the 40th Anniversary of the Theatre Boycott.

Back in 1959, after more than a decade of struggle by a variety of people to remove formal racial barriers, a campaign was successful in reaching that goal. A secret committee called the Progressive Group organised the Boycott which was waged during the last two weeks of June of that year. A number of people spontaneously responded, `carrying the banner', and this peaceful action not only opened up the cinemas but ended segregation in other public facilities.

There is a common theme in the world's religions that we all belong to one human family. The Theatre Boycott was one of the most significant steps in Bermuda's history, in addressing that principle. Most of us are unaware of the fact that this was a watershed event in our Island's development, hence the importance of this observance.

Please join us at the steps of City Hall at noon on Wednesday, June 16, 1999.

Following four minutes of the ringing of church bells around the Island, there will be a 30 minute Ecumenical Service. This observance will be in recognition of the significant contribution of this event and in thanksgiving for efforts of those many people who brought about that peaceful change.

We are asking that employers exercise some flexibility around the lunch period of that date, for those who wish to participate. If you are unable to attend City Hall, we would ask that you take some time out wherever you are to reflect for a few minutes on the importance of this piece of our heritage.

We are also inviting you to attend a Community Dialogue at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 1999 at Astwood Hall, on Church Street. Under the theme `Examining the Past/Preparing for the Future', you will be involved in drawing some practical lessons from this history.

Other events are being planned in celebration of this important Anniversary.

As we claim our whole heritage we will be moving towards what Martin Luther King called the `beloved community'.

ORGANISERS OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE THEATRE BOYCOTT Please see story on Lifestyle, Page 21 Bermuda runs itself now June 7, 1999 Dear Sir, Listening to the Shirley Dill show on Sunday was a very discouraging experience. I was appalled at the propaganda that was coming down the line aimed at impressionable Bermuda. I thought where was the rest of Bermuda? Why does it seem that most people are just lying down taking the Nazi-like propaganda being shoved out constantly on the talk shows? Let me tell you and your readers some of the stuff that was shovelled out on Sunday.

The inference to the Bermuda people was "reject British Citizenship because it is a ploy on the part of the British to draw Bermudians into their lair only to tax them afterwards'' and here was the killer, "after all'', the inference was "if you are really loyal to Bermuda why would you want British citizenship anyway?'' Bermudians, British Citizenship is for your children, as it will allow them access to the jobs and schools throughout the EEC. It will give them access to lower tuition fees, better training, and thus better jobs. It will allow them to gain experience they will never acquire in little Bermuda. As a result they will be able to return to Bermuda and give our country the benefit of their global expertise.

Next, the guest, a famous Bermuda College lecturer, mused that he could not understand why Bermudians would not want to govern themselves. You see, to me that is where he misleads the people.

He deliberately did not reinforce the fact that we do govern ourselves NOW and have governed ourselves very successfully for years and years. He did not point out that the Governor and thus Great Britain has a small quiver of reserve powers such as defence and internal security. He also did not point out that previous, successive governments have gradually negotiated those powers to the Bermuda Government. No, he let the Bermudians not governing themselves statement lie out there. Why? To spread uncertainty and doubt.

Similarly, he put out suggestions that the OECD would be targeting harmful tax jurisdictions and inferred that Bermuda would be one of its prime targets and therefore is a harmful jurisdiction. He did not reinforce the claim that Bermuda is very strictly regulated now and probably the OECD would quickly be made aware of this and that there was the possibility Bermuda, with minor changes, could be held up as a model community for the rest of the world! No, again the subtle "Hey, they are out to get you'', was left to lie as if there was a huge plot out there to entrap Bermuda.

When asked for his vision of the next five years, he wistfully portrayed a picture of an independent Bermuda, a strong economy and a place where everyone lived in harmony. It's the strong economy that he just glosses over. Again the words were left for us all to imagine that it would not happen unless we were independent. You see he did not explain, reinforce, reiterate the fact that Bermuda has a strong economy NOW; that we have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world NOW; that there is no unemployment in Bermuda NOW.

Remember "It's happening NOW''. Strange, how we quickly forget.

The final subtle reference was to Bermuda as a Crown Colony as if being a Crown Colony was some kind of sin. Well, as a lecturer at the Bermuda College, he should know that Bermuda was never a Crown Colony. I am told that way back in 1684 when the Bermuda Company walked away from Bermuda, Bermuda's own Parliament was strong enough to survive on its own and Bermuda had special status as a colony, and was never annexed as a Crown Colony. That firm legislative grounding is the basis of our solid Parliamentary process today.

The lecturer then even felt comfortable enough to subtly mention the possibility of Bermuda becoming a republic as the ultimate salvation.

So Bermuda, whatever your thoughts, get yourselves properly informed.

Understand clearly that the offer of British Citizenship has nothing to do with Independence. Understand that we all need to know the financial implications of the white paper. Understand that we need to be informed so that we can dissect the truth from the rest of the half-truths that we hear on the talk shows. Understand that you, the voter, the citizen of Bermuda, you make the decision, the challenge is to make the right decision for your children.

So get informed by going to the meetings that are being held. But look, don't wimp out. Get off your feet and challenge, challenge, challenge before you wake up one morning and find yourself along in the global village and your kids can't afford school as your Bermudian dollar ends up three cents to the US dollar.

WARD YOUNG, MBE City of Hamilton Visitors let down by hotel The following was sent to Mr. David Allen, Minister of Tourism and copied to The Royal Gazette .

May 31, 1999 Dear Mr. Allen, My husband and I planned to return to Bermuda for a vacation because your Island holds many loving memories for us. We have visited Bermuda for three other vacations. We were to stay at Surf Side resort May 10, 1999 to May 16, 1999. We asked our friends Connie and Ron Ross of Philadelphia to accompany us.

February 4, requested information on efficiency units located on the South Shore, was received such from the Department of Tourism, Bermuda. Out of this information and telephone calls to six or seven resorts, we selected side-by-side units at Surf Side. During our last visit to Bermuda we stayed at Banana Beach and took the time to tour Surf Side and found it to be charming with a glorious view. That was 18 years ago, hence the need for new information on efficiencies.

The Ross' travel agent, Liberty Travel of Philadelphia, co-ordinated and confirmed our accommodations at Surf Side for both of us to avoid complications since we wanted side by side units and were travelling from different parts of the country. The Rosses arrived in Bermuda two hours before us. Upon arrival at Surf Side, they were advised there were no reservations for them or for us. Surf Side said our reservations were not confirmed by our travel agent at Liberty Travel. Liberty Travel advised the Rosses during a telephone conversation after this news that they indeed had signed confirmations, by Briony, dated February 23 from Surf Side. (See attached copy of the signed confirmation). They were able to locate one available unit; however there would be no availability for us. Since we were travelling together, the Rosses declined this unit and began trying to locate alternate accommodations for both of us. Accommodations were found at Astwood Cove several miles away from Surf Side.

Astwood Cove is a charming resort with a lovely manager, Lynn Richardson, who allowed the Rosses to use a unit until our arrival. While awaiting our arrival, the Rosses contacted Liberty Travel and advised them of our predicament. Liberty Travel advised the Rosses that there was indeed confirmation for both couples dated February 23 from Surf Side. Surf Side refused to acknowledge these confirmations. Liberty Travel began searching for alternative accommodations with ocean view, television in each unit, a pool bar, an exercise room, a restaurant and access to beach and beach bar. No accommodations were available for us.

Upon our arrival at Surf Side, and before we exited our ground transfer, an employee of Surf Side greeted us with "Are you the Ludwigsens?'' When advised we were, she told her driver "Do not remove their luggage. They are not staying here. They have no reservations.'' My husband and I were devastated to learn this information. We were transported to Astwood Cove to meet up with the Rosses. Since it had been already determined no other units filling our desires were available, we decided to remain at Astwood Cove. This resort is charming, however it lacked all the amenities we desired, health club, on site restaurant, pool bar, exercise facility, and most importantly beach access and ocean view.

Lynn Richardson, manager at Astwood Cove asked Surf Side if we would be able to use their facilities and she was advised absolutely not. Their facilities were for guests only. We were supposed to be their guests. Regardless what took place between Surf Side and Liberty Travel, we travelled with such joy returning to our favourite island. We lost a day of our vacation.

How could this have happened? How many vacationers at Surf Side were accommodated after our booking on February 23? My husband and I were treated unkindly by employees at Surf Side. We were shocked at their attitude. Until then and afterwards we had always been treated with such kindness by everyone on your beautiful island. We feel some sort of discipline should be meted to Surf Side for their cavalier attitude toward us and their lack of truthfulness regarding the confirmed accommodations. We feel that their errors cost us the better part of a day of a very expensive and long awaited vacation.

LORI AND JIM LUDWIGSEN Englewood, Florida Martial arts night ruined May 29, 1999 Dear Sir, On Sunday May 16, 1999 Martial Artists from various styles come out to participate in a four-hour long seminar conducted by world-renowned living legend Grand-Master William Cheung, Present Heir to the traditional Wing Chun Kung-Fu System. All thoroughly enjoyed his skill, knowledge and all he had to offer.

The very next weekend a Martial Arts demonstration was put on at the City Hall Auditorium. My school could not participate this year due to the visit of Grand Master Chenug and other unforeseen events. On display were various local schools and also visiting guests from the US. As the show reached the main attraction, and the foreign visitors took to the mike and entered the stage, one of the visiting teachers began his opening statements with negative slurs and derogatory gestures alluding to my Sifu Grand-Master William Chenug and knowing that I was present and a supposed guest. This was a shameful moment for martial arts in Bermuda I think that these people don't have the slightest idea of what the Martial Arts mean. No respect or will to live in harmony.

He then went on to put his own teacher on a pedestal, saying basically that they are the best and nobody is better. They offended every single school present and not present with such beastly remarks and display. The sad part is that upon leaving the Island, causing more of a rift in the martial arts scene here in Bermuda, they have left the local instructor and representative to take the brunt of rebuttal. This destroyed the whole night of events. I doubt if they could have had a demo if these things were said at the beginning of the night's event. I, Sifu Delroi Flood and the Bermuda Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy will never support this organisation ever again.

SIFU FLOOD City of Hamilton In defence of karters June 10, 1999 Dear Sir, I write in response to "Let Motorcycles Race'' written by Mr. David Jones.

I read your letter today and must say a response is needed on behalf of and to defend the Bermuda Karting Club. I am not sure why you are attacking our sport so viciously! I think Mr. Jones, you need to be reminded that our Club did everything we could to assist yours in getting up and operating. Right down to the fact of the expenses to make repairs to the track, with no assistance from your club. You have used our equipment, etc., with no cost to yourself and the overheads were met by us. For spectators and revenue for the Club, have you forgotten our years at NOB with no spectators? Or the shut down of our sport for four years with the closure of the base? In response to the Front Street Grand Prix, please let us point out our Club has been an organised entity for some 25 years -- it only took us 24 to secure Front Street. As for your statement of no problems -- this is unbelievable. It took the organisers many months of dedicated planning to meet all of the requirements that were made. The expenses for this race were borne by the Club and its sponsors, they were sizable to see this event done properly.

As for this being a racial issue, I feel I must remind you our club is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-age club. You have insulted us pretty badly with your slurs. We have always attempted to support our brothers in sport. It is a hard blow to realise what you really feel about our support.

In closing I would remind you "what you put into the Universe, is what you get out of it!'' If people insist on looking for "black and white issues'' they will never cease to exist. This will only happen if all people are allowed to work together in harmony without racial fears and insinuations.

VICKI A. ROBINSON Former Secretary BKC and Cycle Supporter Tenants being crucified June 10, 1999 Dear Sir, This New Bermuda Government should be ashamed to let their people in caves, trees, one room. Working class Bermudians still make the same wage they did ten years ago. They are being crucified by landlords.

Something should be done. The money that the Government is spending going this place and that place is unnecessary. If the Premier wants to go away, use her money and not ours. There's so much to see to that's very necessary and important to this Island.

It's been six months now and we have not seen any change.

People who only make $500 or $600 week earned that ten years ago and are expected to pay these rents. Government places rented at $1,600 that were once a fraction of that. I know as I lived in one.

First things first, New Bermuda.

DEVONSHIRE