Uniting together to 'stop the violence' was the key message as the Progressive Labour Party presented its five candidates for Devonshire and Smith's to the electorate last night.

Prospective politicians urged witnesses to serious crimes and those with information to speak out and break their silence.

Addressing the crowds at the PLP Main Event pre-election rally at Elliot Primary School, Devonshire, Parliamentary candidates spoke of the importance of uniting together as a community to combat rising violence.

They were referring to the murder of Shaki Crockwell, 25, who was gunned down in the Railway Trail near Loyal Hill with a bullet to the back of the neck on the evening of August 24.

Neville Tyrrell, candidate for Devonshire East, told those present at the rally: "I encourage you to be part of the solution. We all need to step forward and do our bit in addressing crime.

"Please be assured the PLP will do our best to fight crime and lawlessness. We must make a stand to demand our community back.

"Please stop the violence. We are losing too many young people too soon.

"Without our young people we will have no one to carry forward the legacy that so many previous generations have created."

He added: "Crime affects our reputation as a tourist destination. It makes no sense for our Premier as Minister of Tourism to work feverishly to encourage tourists to Bermuda only to have them exposed to criminal activity here."

Patrice Minors, MP for Smith's North, said: "We must break the silence so we can stop the violence."

She urged PLP followers to "shed the victim mentality", and instead think of themselves as "victors".

"We must be victors against the battle in illegal use of drugs and crime, and the rising incidents of violence in our homes," she said.

"We each have a collective role to play to make sure our future generations are not disadvantaged. The Government has laid the foundations but can't do it alone. We must walk the path of victory together.

"We are not powerless. We must believe we can bring a positive impact. We must believe our young black males can move off the streets and into the boardrooms."

Meanwhile Parliamentary candidate for Smith's West, Larry Mussenden stressed the importance of encouraging the younger generation to vote. He said: "Our young people can't take an inheritance that they have which is precious and throw it away as if nobody gave blood, sweat and tears to get them that vote."

Jane Correia, candidate for Smith's South, called for an end to the race card being played in Bermuda's political arena, saying: "Let's put aside the race card. We need to understand each other. Dr. Brown has started the Big Conversation (on race) and that's what we need to have.

"It doesn't matter the colour of your skin, the colour of your eyes, we all live as one."

She also urged women across the community to put aside their differences.

"We as women have a lot to do for the community, we are the breadmakers of our homes, we love our children and care for them. It's time to stay together and stop saying things about people we don't even know. We need to stop bickering in the street, we need to bring people forward together."

Deputy Premier Paula Cox, MP for Devonshire West, also spoke at the rally, reminding party supporters to "keep your eyes on the prize".

"The prize is people power, people empowerment" she said. "Judge us based on our record, look at what we have done and what we will continue to do to put your first.

"We have had some stellar successes and it will go on and on and on. Success requires good policies and we have these. Have confidence in what we've achieved and have courage and focus on the incredible things we still have to do."