A crowd of people wore red in Par-la-Ville Park, in a show of solidarity with PRIDE Bermuda’s stand against drugs and violence. The charity gave out free brown-bag lunches for a gathering addressed by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, and political figures from both sides.“We combined our 14th annual red ribbons campaign with the lunch in the park in recognition of the difficult economic climate,” executive director Judith Burgess explained.The anti-drug red ribbons, created in 1985 by a community outraged by the murder of US Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena, have created a world movement now celebrating its 25th anniversary. The free lunches were a goodwill gesture to anyone wearing red.In a ceremony officiated by Hamilton Town Crier Ed Christopher, Mayor Charles Gosling welcomed the guests, while Sir Richard told the story of a 13-year-old’s choice to practice knots, play the guitar or enjoy his sister’s banana bread, instead of making the wrong choices.Justice Minister Michael Scott said the gathering helped “draw a line in the sand” against drugs and violence.He warned young people: “More than any other time in our history, the perils you face are more intense.”Opposition Leader Craig Cannon related his own story of opportunities lost due to his father’s drug abuse, adding: “It’s not where you are but where you are headed that makes the difference.”And Shoa Bean of the performance group Troika described how PRIDE helped her to harness her own talents, before introducing dance performances by troupe members Kioshi Burgess, Kameron Burgess and Sacha Dill.Useful website: www.pridebermuda.bm.* For more pictures click here.