September 20, 2023 on Ferry Reach is a pivotal day of expression in history and a defining moment, whether we wish to accept it or not. It marks a time when people stepped outside their proverbial boxes and away from traditional sources to make a united statement.

That it was organised for early morning and only for one hour was like a prayer breakfast. It was not a disruptive march, bringing the entire island to a halt; rather, it was an effective message of warning that things are not sitting well.

This protest was small but dynamic and gained lots of social-media support based on current affairs and the sentiments being expressed about the island’s state of affairs. This was not to be confused or conflated with the Labour Day march, which was meant to be reminiscent of the 1981 island-wide strike.

If we recall back then, Sir David Gibbons stepped down as premier and ushered in the era of Sir John Swan. Sir David was a wise leader who set the stage for the economic security and prosperity of Bermuda, but had to resign his post not because he was a fool, but because he was considered insensitive and out of touch. Fortunately for him, he thought more of the country than his role as leader. That, too, was a pivotal moment in Bermuda's history.

The diversity of this protest cannot be interpreted as anything except a direct attack on the leader of the country. Aside from the taxi drivers, the teachers and the fishermen, there are other issues bubbling on the surface of this discontent — such as the special development order for the Fairmont Southampton. This is how Bermudian people talk on the street, even if misguided, and they wait until it festers before they protest. Perhaps it is safety in numbers that causes such behaviour.

I doubt in this case there will be any resignations at the top anytime soon; this cannot be compared to Boris Johnson resigning as British prime minister in the wake of one scandal too many. No, here in Bermuda the role is too important and quintessential to the agenda set, and must not be altered by public chagrin.

It follows that we just survived a hurricane, which was soon followed by another, but the lovely beach pool, bar and elevator in Warwick did not — in fact, not even the beach survived. But couldn’t that have been foreseen? OK, this is a joke: I blame my old friend Tuffy Todd, the “Mayor of South Shore”, for that. He should have told them fellas it can’t work. But, here again, not only will the minister not resign over that fiasco, but the architect and the engineers will probably get another job. Well, everyone is paid and that value is washed out to sea — unless it was an insurance trap.

I think the most interesting thing is the comparison to the Labour Day march. Here there was no pageantry but people full of sentiments about what they felt as displeasure on matters that affect them now. We don’t know where or how this effort ends; it is the beginning of a new wave.