Parliament protester Enda Matthie, who is on a “hunger strike” outside Sessions House to draw legislators’ attention to the plight of ordinary Bermudians, was joined overnight and yesterday by supporters.

Ms Matthie, who told The Royal Gazette she had been at her spot since 10.15am on Tuesday, was greeted by politicians on their way into the House of Assembly for the Budget debate.

Progressive Labour Party MP Rolfe Commissiong brought along a chair, telling Ms Matthie he would join her.

Ms Matthie has no time limit on her hunger strike in response to unrest over government policies.

“People have to take a stand,” she said.

One man standing with the handful of protesters on the eastern side of Parliament said: “It’s about people taking control of their destiny and standing up for what they feel and believe is right.”

Mr Commissiong said he was “very proud of my constituent and friend”.

“This is a woman demonstrating the courage of her convictions. This is more than a political issue — it encapsulates questions about race, economics, justice and who we are as Bermudians,” he said.

“We know what has been happening here over the last three years with Bermudians, particularly black Bermudians.

“What has struck a chord for Bermudians of my generation is that so much of this echoes policies that we struggled against back in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties.

“Nothing epitomises civil resistance to the imposition of unjust law than that which Ms Matthie has embarked upon. She is representing us all, and therefore deserves our support.”

A statement from the Immigration Reform Action Group said Ms Matthie had “decided to show her solidarity with her fellow Bermudians on this issue and the many other issues that are currently plaguing Bermuda by staging a hunger strike and has camped out on the grounds of Parliament”, adding: “This is unacceptable.”