Workshops, televised discussions and newspaper advertisements are three methods that the Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality intends to use to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre of 1960.

March 21 marks the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when a peaceful demonstration against apartheid turned into a bloodbath.

Men, women and children who had gathered to protest the passbooks black South Africans were required to carry by law, were either killed, maimed or severely wounded when police shot into the demonstration killing 69 and injuring more than 400.

The Sharpeville Massacre provoked international outrage and the United Nations intervened in South African affairs and declared March 21, 1966 the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Kenneth Spurling, chair of CURE said that his organisation intended to use the 37th anniversary of the massacre to keep Bermudians focussed on the continuing problem of racism and racial discrimination.

Mr. Spurling said CURE would be joining hands with the HRC to host a series of events that began earlier this week through television and the newspapers.

These events are intended to educate the public on issues of racism and how to combat it.

Sharol Simmons, CURE's executive director, said the "Did you Know'' information series would take the form of radio spots -- ten per day over the week -- newspaper advertisements and a panel discussion on television that Dr.

Eva Hodgson will host.

Other speakers include Bermuda College lecturer Walton Brown, Robert Stubbs, Janet Ferguson and Kees Van Beleen.

While CURE looks to educate the public on matters dealing with racism, Canon James Francis, chair of the HRC, said his body seeks to investigate, track down, reconcile and resolve racial complaints through a tribunal or court if necessary.

Combining cases of racial discrimination and racial incitement, Canon Francis said there were 32 cases in all that had come to the attention of the HRC in 1995 and 1996.

"The need for legislation is really quite evident,'' he said. "It is a known fact that when available, people will take advantage of the law to file a complaint.

"It has been our experience that both blacks and white will file complaints but more legislation is needed.

"People often say that (Government) can't legislate people's hearts but we are trying to work on their behaviour.'' Meanwhile, Mr. Spurling said he was optimistic.

The intent was to get Bermudians to recognise that racism or discrimination based on sex, or religious beliefs would not be tolerated.

"We won't be able to change the bigots,'' he said "but they will have to keep it to themselves.''