For the fifth day, demonstrators have gathered outside the House of Assembly in protest against the proposed Pathways to Status legislation.

A crowd of about 400 was in place by midday, having steadily risen throughout the morning.

Chris Furbert, president of the Bermuda Industrial Union, has made several calls to the crowd to keep their behaviour in check, warning that anybody cursing white people will get a “cut tail” and stressing that guest workers are welcome to attend the demonstration.

Government MPs have been meeting in recent days to discuss the dispute and, more recently, the resignation of Shawn Crockwell from the post of Minister of Tourism Development and Transport. Grant Gibbons, the economic development minister, will take on Mr Crockwell’s portfolio on a temporary basis.

At just before 8.30am, the One Bermuda Alliance followed up Michael Dunkley’s statement on the Crockwell resignation, with the significant aside that the Premier retains the faith of his fellow MPS.

The statement, authored by party chairwoman Lynne Woolridge, reads as follows:

“At a meeting of One Bermuda Alliance parliamentarians yesterday afternoon minister Shawn Crockwell announced his resignation from the Cabinet. I would like to thank him for his excellent work in tourism and transport, and value his continued participation as a Member of Parliament for the One Bermuda Alliance.

“It was heartening that all MPs pledged their full support for the Premier as the leader of Bermuda and the One Bermuda Alliance.”

Today’s events as they happened:

8.30am: The One Bermuda Alliance releases a statement saying Michael Dunkley, the Premier retain the faith of his MPs in spite of the blistering attack and resignation from Cabinet from Shawn Crockwell.

Fewer than 100 protesters, with a handful of police officers, mark a quiet start to the day outside the House of Assembly

9.30am:The crowd has grown to about 300. Along with the Reverend Nicholas Tweed of the People’s Campaign and Chris Furbert of the Bermuda Industrial Union, a small handful of Progressive Labour Party MPs are present, including Walton Brown, Zane DeSilva and Wayne Furbert.

9.30am: Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed leave the area for another session of discussions, walking towards Church Street.

10.25am: Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed return to the House to the applause of supporters.

10.35am: Addressing the crowd, Mr Furbert says there are things to share that are “very disturbing”, adding that there are some people on the hill who have been saying things they should not.

He adds that if the behaviour continues, those people will be identified and asked to leave.

10.40am: After a prayer, led by Mr Tweed, Mr Furbert says: “Apparently yesterday we were having a conversation about children. It shouldn’t be our children versus their children.”

He says four white children came to yesterday’s demonstration and were told they were not welcome.

Mr Furbert says he wishes to apologise to the children, inviting them back.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re black, white, pink or green. We made a call for all people. Those of you that have those kind of agendas, you can be gone. Get right off the hill.”

10.50am: He notes developments including the critical letter from backbencher Leah Scott, discussions with Sir John Swan, the former Premier and last night’s resignation by Mr Crockwell.

Mr Furbert says, during the second march, there were efforts by the Police Commissioner to reach him. He says he responded, saying he would be happy to have a conversation this morning.

During this morning’s meeting, the Commissioner thanked him for the behaviour of the protesters, and he was told the Court of Appeal has to meet tomorrow, asking that a “window” could be arranged.

He says the Commissioner asked Randy Horton, the Speaker of the House, if the House could be reconvened at 2pm rather than 10am.

While some in the audience boo at the reference to the Speaker, Mr Furbert says the Commissioner had done the right thing.

He says the hope remains that the bill is withdrawn today, noting that the Premier said a letter would be sent today.

“If the speaker says the House is going to convene at 2pm and all the proceedings finish at 1pm, then there’s a window for the OBA to get in the House,” Mr Furbert says.

The commissioner, however, says that the police would not be a part of such an action.

“They are trying to work with us, not against us, because we said while we understand the issue of security on the grounds, maybe we could be outside the grounds,” he says. “I think this is a situation where we are working together.”

Noting commentators questioning why police have not cracked down on the protesters, he says: “We are not doing anything to break the law, and the police are about protecting law and order. They are not going to be put in the middle of anything. They will not be used like that.”

11am: Mr Furbert refers to the meeting with government leaders yesterday afternoon, saying that some people have said they should not have gone to the meeting.

“That works against us,” he says.

He adds that another meeting is scheduled for this afternoon, and Sir John Swan has asked if he could come by and talk this afternoon.

“All we have to do is what we have done for the last four days. Be patient. Because every day something happens that benefits our cause.”

11.05am: Mr Furbert says that dock workers have gone to unload refrigerated containers from the Bermuda Islander, but they would then return to the protest.

He adds that the protesters should not agitate members of the public while marching, noting that there are white people participating.

“Anybody that curses a white person and is caught, they are going to get a cut tail,” he says. “You shouldn’t be doing that in this type of setting.”

He says that guest workers are invited to be here, saying people should be careful about attacking those people. He concluded his speech saying that they would come together again early this afternoon to decide what to do tomorrow, given the request of the police commissioner.

11.40am: The crowd now numbers about 400, much less than on previous protest days.

Grant Gibbons is announced as the interim Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, in addition to his role as Minister of Economic Development, following the resignation from Cabinet of Shawn Crockwell last night.

11.45am: Music continues to play as Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed do another circuit of the House, surrounded by a small group of supporters.

12.30pm: Numbers have dipped while protesters go to fetch lunch. The atmosphere is friendly and calm.

1.15pm: During a conference call with the Court Registrar, Mr Furbert was told there were concerns about the noise on the Hill. Meanwhile, Mr Furbert said, since there was no security issue, “we are not giving up the grounds tomorrow.” He said efforts would be made to make everyone feel safe, including those who have official business in Supreme Court. Mr Tweed said: “We have confirmed that during the time that court is in session, the House will not be in session. We have to remember our target was never the court. Our target was Parliament.” He said they were not helping their cause by inconveniencing the Court of Appeal. A second meeting between Mr Dunkley, Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed is still scheduled for 2.30pm

3pm: Earth Hour celebrations will go ahead as planned on Saturday, according to a press release from organisers.

3.05pm: Sir John Swan, Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed are in a meeting at BIU headquarters.

3.10pm: PLP MP Rolfe Commissiong takes the mic and thanks all those who have support the protest but says they are still waiting for an answer.

“Mr Dunkley, we are waiting,” he says. He questions if the Premier will put the country ahead of the OBA’s political agenda.

He leads the crowd in a chant of “withdraw the bill” before the music resumes.

3.15pm:The crowd is reminded once more not to drink alcohol on the grounds, with two groups of people reportedly having to be removed for drinking, a speaker says.

3.25pm:A letter from 28-year-old Chardonne Paynter, who has an MBA in public relations and communications, is read to the crowd. The letter details Ms Paynter’s “unemployment history and discontent with the new Pathway to Status proposal”.

3.40pm: Drummers are playing in front of the House of Assembly after making their way around the building.

3.50pm: The meeting at BIU has ended. Walton Brown told The Royal Gazette: “At this point we’re very close to a resolution.” The group are making their way towards the Cabinet building. Sir John Swan, who has been involved with negotiations, declined to comment.

4.00pm: More than 20 representatives from the group have entered the Cabinet building.

4.30pm: Zane DeSilva and Derrick Burgess have arrived at Cabinet. They are waiting outside the building.

4.45pm: A speaker tells the protesters at the House of Assembly that their leaders should be coming in the next ten to fifteen minutes “so hold tight”.

5pm: The court hearing to determine the legality of immigration reform protesters’ “withdrawal of labour” has been brought to the Chief Justice’s chambers this afternoon, this newspaper can report.

Chief Justice Ian Kawaley had previously said it was “strongly arguable” that those shunning work to demonstrate were breaching section 34 of the Labour Relations Act.

In today’s hearing of the case involving the Minister of Home Affairs versus the BIU, Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed, Crown counsel Gregory Howard told Dr Justice Kawaley there was “no evidence” that the named parties had been in violation of the incitement order, which was served on Friday last week.

Noting that he wanted to “avoid a situation where the matter drifts without any mooring”, Dr Justice Kawaley arranged the next hearing for 2.30pm next Thursday.

5pm: A press conference will be held in Cabinet at 5.45pm.

6pm: The press conference venue has been switched to the hill on the House of Assembly.

6.05pm: The group, along with Sir John Swan, the former Premier, have arrived on the hill to whistling, cheering and drumming.

6.10pm: Mr Furbert tells the crowd: “We have an agreement but it’s for you to decide if it’s sufficient. We believe it is. I believe we’ve delivered what we were asked to deliver.”

Mr Tweed reads the letter from government, stating: “The government will withdraw the bill.”

This prompts massive cheers from the crowd. A consultative working group for the bill is also promised.

6.15pm: It is explained that the first stage will deal with children, to be tabled in House on May 13 — children who were born in Bermuda or who arrived here at an early age. The second stage will deal with PRCs of 15 years, which will be debated in the summer session. Crowd seems uncertain but Mr Tweed implores them to listen. The third stage will deal with status after 20 years, during the new session in House in November. Government will look into training opportunities for Bermudians. “All sides are committed to working for the betterment of Bermuda.”

6.20pm: Walton Brown says: “This agreement gives us everything we’ve been calling for in the last month. We will shape that consultative committee. I think that all of us who worked so hard and you the people have made this possible. All the power is with the people.”

6.25pm: Mr Furbert says: “We are where we need to be.” He promises “we’re certainly not going to be giving the country away”. “Let’s not tear apart all the good work that we’ve done over the last five days,” he adds. “Put your suggestions in so we can protect who we need to protect — the children.” He asks the people to put their hands up if they are in favor of the agreement. Lots of hands shoot up. Who is not in favour? A few hands go up. Mr Furbert thanks Sir John Swan.

6.30pm: A 89-year-old protester says: “I believe I should congratulate you, but there’s only one thing that I’m a bit perturbed about. That’s the point of status after 20 years. I think that needs more consideration given the size of this island.” He urges them to be “very careful what you agree to” when consulting in future. He thanks businesses who helped and the police for their “mutual respect”.

Mr Furbert says: “All I hope for going forward, is for the government to finally start listening to the people — and hearing what the people are saying.” He shouts out to hunger striker Enda Matthie and thanks the people for sacrificing a week’s wages. He said he has asked the Premier if they can see if they can list the time they’ve taken off as vacation time, therefore paid.

6.40pm: Mr Tweed says: “If there’s one regret, it’s that it took this long. But I hope that what we have achieved together will not be squandered. I believe that this is not just a victory for us, but for Bermuda.” He compared the situation to Joshua and the walls of Jericho. Hip-hip hoorays. Mr Tweed closes with a prayer and the protesters are now heading to the BIU headquarters.

7.00pm: More than 500 march along Church Street, chanting “the people united will never be defeated”.