The anniversary of the civil rights victory brought about by the Theatre Boycott of 1959 is to be commemorated this weekend.

A select group of companies will offer free purchases to one customer each on Saturday, and the Chewstick Foundation will air the documentary When Voices Rise from 3pm to 5pm at its Culture Hub on Front Street, followed by a discussion of the boycott’s implications.

A gathering is being organised from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday by the community group Imagine Bermuda, and those wishing to participate should e-mail fubler@northrock.bm by the end of Friday.

Commemorations are being organised by Glenn Fubler in tandem with Martha Dismont of Family Centre.

It marks the success of boycotts organised in June of 1959 by a secret team of activists calling themselves the Progressive Group, who launched the first open challenge to Bermuda’s regime of racial segregation.

Until then, cinemas owned by the Bermuda General Theatres company were split into upper and lower floors, with black patrons relegated to the lower level.

Demonstrations began on June 15, and on July 2, after briefly closing, theatres reopened without segregation.

In a statement issued today, Mr Fubler said the anniversary “offers all of the island’s residents the opportunity to express appreciation to those that brought about the most significant watershed of 20th Century Bermuda, reflect on any lessons drawn and consider how today we might leverage that shared legacy for moving forward”.

The Progressive Group “took on the challenge of a segregated and regressive society with a positive mindset”, Mr Fubler added.

“Thinking globally, they would have drawn from parallels around the World. Their focus was on imagining a better Bermuda; spending weeks drafting specific possibilities for a changed society, prior to the Boycott. They acted — locally — in a way that empowered the grass roots of our community; fostering a sense of personal independence.

“On July 2, 2016, retail partners are joining in this Celebration by offering a free pass (up to a certain amount) to one customer on that date. On Saturday July 2 at a synchronised time, at a cash register in participating stores, a customer will enjoy at least some of their purchase, free of cost, as a part of the celebration.

“While most of us will not receive a free pass, all of us — today — enjoy various freedoms that are rooted in the steps taken in 1959 by those pioneers. Today, we are all encouraged to consider taking a personal step that could benefit upcoming generations.

“The eight stores participating include Brown & Co, Collector’s Hill Apothecary, Hunt’s Food & Supplies, Lindo’s Devonshire and Warwick, People’s Pharmacy, the Phoenix Centre and the Shopping Centre (Marketplace).

“Also on Saturday, July 2 from 3 — 5pm at Chewstick’s Culture Hub at 81 Front Street there will be the showing of the movie When Voices Rise, an account of the boycott. Following the viewing of this 74 minute film, the audience will spend a period dialoguing on the lesson drawn from the experience.

“On Sunday July 3 from 2pm — 4pm there will be a gathering of residents to draw from this shared legacy with the goal of looking forward, to foster collaboration towards a better Bermuda. Anyone interested in participating should e-mail fubler@northrock.bm by the close of Friday.”