Middle-schoolers from across the island gathered at City Hall last week to commemorate the actions of a young American almost 70 years ago.

Claudette Colvin was arrested in Montgomery on March 2, 1955, when she was 15 years old.

She was held for refusing to obey the city’s segregation laws while riding a bus.

Rosa Parks’ similar actions, which resulted in the Montgomery bus boycott, occurred nine months later.

An event spokesman said: “The spontaneous protest action by this teenager offers an example of agency, the capacity to determine right from wrong and act accordingly.

“[Last week’s] gathering was an opportunity to engage in a facilitated process with each other to appreciate this capacity.”

The 60 students were welcomed at City Hall by activist Glenn Fubler, who highlighted their importance to the community.

Minister of Education Diallo Rabain told attendees that the first time he had heard about Ms Colvin’s story was that day.

Participants then took part in experiential learning activities throughout City Hall, led by seven facilitators.

They were Martha Dismont, Cummings Zuill, Aderonke Bademosi-Wilson, Aaron Crichlow, Qian Dickinson, Miguel Mejias and Staphen Dill.

Organisers believed that the gathering had broken new ground from both an academic and wider community perspective and plan to hold the event on an annual basis.

The spokesman added: “The student gathering has offered yet another demonstration of the potential of our community working together across sectors of the island, to leverage the potential of any and all of our young people, to the benefit of Bermuda.”