Progressive Labour Party MPs have condemned the “heavy-handed tactics” employed by the Bermuda Police Service to try and break up yesterday’s protest.

The Opposition parliamentarians, many of whom spent the day side-by-side with the protesters, described seeing seniors pepper-sprayed and pushed aside while riot police tried to clear a passage to the House of Assembly.

Some also raised questions about the actions of Randy Horton, the Speaker of the House, as the day played out.

David Burt, the Leader of the Opposition, said late last night in a statement that “the images and videos from today cast a stain on our society that will not easily be removed”.

Deputy leader Walter Roban told The Royal Gazette he was jostled and pushed by officers as they tried to break through the main entrance to the Sessions House on Parliament Street.

Meanwhile, Opposition whip, Lovitta Foggo, revealed her grandson’s father was pepper-sprayed during the confrontation.

“This was a peaceful protest,” she added. “The people have a democratic right to make their voices heard. We as Parliamentarians sit at their behest.

“We should be responsive to their calls. It is of great concern to see what has happened today.” Jamahl Simmons told The Royal Gazette that Opposition MPs had tried to help the protesters, “at which point police pepper-sprayed into the crowd,” he said.

Mr Roban described yesterday’s events as “a sad day for the country”, and demanded police provide answers for the way they acted.

“We have seen our democracy assaulted,” he said. “What we witnessed was way over the top and unnecessary.

“People who were peacefully gathered, as is their right, have been treated like they have broken the law. I do not know who gave the orders, but answers will have to be given.”

“I asked senior police officers under what authority they were acting and they could not provide me with an answer.”

PLP MP Rolfe Commissiong said the day’s events “vividly confirmed the growing divide in our society”.

“The assertion that there are two Bermudas is not an idle comment by our leader,” he said.

“I am also terribly disappointed in the role the Speaker has played today.

“This whole event vividly demonstrates that black Bermudians have had enough.”

* For the full statement from the Leader of the Opposition, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”