A huge crowd gathered on the grounds of Cabinet Building last night in support of the controversial Pathways to Status legislation.

The candlelit vigil was a response to the slew of protests against the Bermuda Government’s proposed immigration reform plans, including an island-wide “withdrawal of labour” on Friday and likely public service disruptions again today.

Shortly before 7.30pm, an estimated 1,000 people cheered as the vigil began with the raising of the Bermuda flag.

Several speakers then shared their opinions and stories on the issue, including nurse Janice Mullings-George, who is originally from Jamaica but who moved to Bermuda as a child.

Talking to The Royal Gazette beforehand, Mrs Mullings-George said: “I have lived in Bermuda for the past 25 years. I came today to support individuals who, like myself, have fallen into this predicament where we are unable to obtain status after spending almost our whole lives in Bermuda.

“I don’t want to have to say goodbye to the home I’ve had since I was 7 years old. I just want to continue giving back to the community.”

Paul Harney, a recreation specialist, said he attended the event because of his concerns that Bermuda was becoming divided on the topic of immigration.

“Our population is shrinking and we should honour those people who have given up 20 or 30 years of their lives investing in our community,” he added.

“It’s ridiculous that we would try to kick them to the side and ignore their contributions. Let’s make it fair for everyone and monitor the numbers moving forward.”

Sarah DeSilva, from Southampton, said she was “absolutely thrilled” at the strong turnout on the night.

“The Government is really on the right track,” she said. “We can’t delay it. Financially, we have to bring in foreigners to invest in the island.”

Her husband, Donald DeSilva, added: “Anybody who spends the majority of their productive years here should be allowed to stay. I don’t think you can ask someone to come here for 15 or 20 years and then not give them some residency.

“My wish is that the people who are against this and the Government could sit down and listen to each other, and maybe find some common ground to move ahead.”

Retired radio host Dianne Carlson carried a banner quoting American President Barack Obama, which said: “We are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.”

She said: “Our parents and grandparents came from somewhere to get here, no one was here originally.”

Ms Carlson suggested that the immigration reform protest movement had “nothing really to do with Pathways” and was “strictly politics”.

She added: “I truly believe that the Opposition party is inciting people’s emotions, making it very difficult for the Government and trying to distract from a key issue.

“Don’t forget there’s going to be an investigation taking place soon about what happened to the funding when the Progressive Labour Party was in power. It’s very sad.”

Michael Fahy, Minister of Home Affairs, attended the vigil but declined to comment, saying the event spoke for itself.

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