Despite threatening storm clouds, more than 100 people gathered on the steps of City Hall yesterday for a lunchtime rally against violence.

The rally, which was held on the anniversary of Canadian visitor Rebecca Middleton's killing, was sponsored by the Physical Abuse Centre, the Women's Resource Centre, the Coalition for the Protection of Children and the Institute for the Protection of Children.

Daina Casling, one of the organisers for the event, used the idea of a "clothesline exhibit'' to give voice to victims of violence.

The exhibit consisted of different coloured T-shirts decorated with the stories of abuse or murder victims.

One read: "Connie Furtado, Age 14, Raped & Murdered by Chesterfield Johnson who has received no treatment while in prison, and is scheduled for release in 1998.'' Another shirt stated: "You taught her to hate her body -- to silence her own voice -- to be afraid of letting out the secret that you left her with. You taught her `lessons' no child should ever have to learn.'' A number of local dignitaries, including Premier Pamela Gordon, Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith and Hamilton Mayor William Frith spoke at the event.

Premier Gordon gave remarks about Government's stance on child abuse.

"Government has not taken away parents' power to discipline their children, but there is a difference between correction and abuse,'' she noted.

"And I am not equating a tap on the hand with a punch in the face,'' she added.

Pointing out that violence was often linked to drug abuse, Ms Gordon stressed that Government's crackdown on drugs had just begun. Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith said Bermudians were resourceful enough to combat the increasing violence in the community.

She noted that "the alienation of some sectors of society, the increasing lack of moral values, and the avarice and envy created by an affluent society'' affected the entire community.

Rebecca Middleton's hometown daily paper also marked the anniversary of the her death.

The teenager's mother, Cindy Middleton, told The Belleville Intelligencer : "I'm glad for the amount of people Becky got to meet and the amount of people who got to meet Becky.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm so glad she left a good impression.'' TESTIMONIAL T-SHIRTS -- Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan (left) and Premier Pamela Gordon read testimonies at yesterday's rally against violence.

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