We wish to thank those who contributed to the Appreciation Celebration at City Hall last Thursday, marking the success of the 1959 Theatre Boycott.

This includes Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, and the entire Corporation of Hamilton for providing a welcoming venue.

Other contributions:

The Reverend Larry Dixon, the AME presiding elder, who offered the opening prayer. Active as a Spellman student in the 1960s, Mr Dixon praised the boycotters for having demonstrate decades earlier that “Black Lives Matter”.

Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Community Affairs and Sport, emphasised the importance of the legacy of the boycott and the transformative story of Bermuda. She highlighted the significant local response to the murder of George Floyd, which has engendered an unprecedented, global community engagement.

The angelic voice of Indigo Adamson offered a Call to Love from Romeo and Juliet.

Kristin White, co-ordinator of partnering group Social Justice Bermuda, implored leveraging the boycott’s legacy in “continuing the work” while engendering hope across the community.

Progressive Group member Erskine Simmons recalled a first-hand account of the boycott’s non-violence. Dr Simmons attributed that success to promotional messaging, the mindful involvement of supporters and the response of the police. He contrasted this with heavy-handed modern-day responses to protesters by American law enforcement.

Celebrating this legacy, 12 police and fire personnel led everyone in giving three cheers to the boycott’s success.

Progressive Group member Eugene Woods was highlighted for exemplifying the leveraging of the boycott’s momentum for wider societal progress.

In addition, the group 2nd Division offered a reflective tune on the legacy of the Reverend Martin Luther King. The island’s premier group, Hindsight, offered tasty versions of Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley. These veteran musicians, who operate Bermuda Live Productions and Hindsight Multimedia, continue the tradition of giving back as they focus on developing tailor-made entertainment products for various events.

The musical presentations were facilitated by the sound system of Social Justice Bermuda activist Mischa Fubler

The Most Reverend Wes Spiewak, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Hamilton Diocese, reminded us that many Progressive Group members were either AME or Catholic parishioners. Then he gave the closing prayer.

Carlos Santana Dill completed an art piece during the celebration. After a rain break, there was the formal planting of a peach tree donated by the Honorary Canadian Consul, Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone. The tree was emblematic of two visiting Canadian teachers who stealthily assisted the boycott.

• Glenn Fubler represents Imagine Bermuda