Support continues to run high in Bermuda for antiracism organisations to work towards racial justice, according to a survey of residents by one of the island’s leading campaign groups.

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda reported 83 per cent found favour overall with exploring racial justice — 87 per cent of Black respondents, and 74 per cent White and other.

The survey, which polled 409 residents by random telephone dialling and online, showed numbers down marginally on the 86 per cent support recorded in 2019.

But the responses overall appeared to be on a par with a 2014 poll, which also showed 83 per cent.

Residents, who were contacted between July 3 and August 7, were asked if they felt a need for non-governmental groups to work for racial justice.

Differences emerged when respondents were asked if they believed race relations in Bermuda had improved, stayed the same or worsened over the past two years.

Overall, 13 per cent of Black respondents and 15 per cent of Whites felt the situation had improved — about one in seven.

But Black residents were more likely to feel race relations had remained the same.

White and other respondents were more inclined to feel that race relations had worsened.

The pool of residents was also asked what could be done to improve race relations in Bermuda.

For Black respondents, the top answer was honest communication, followed by equity in jobs and the need to be treated with equity and fairness.

The top answers for respondents identifying as White and other were to come together to be more culturally aware, for education within schools and generally, and to take race out of the island’s politics.