More than 25 groups yesterday backed the official commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Theatre Boycott that laid the ground for modern Bermuda.

Lisa Reed, executive officer of the Human Rights Commission, delivered a proclamation marking the end of segregated theatre seating from the steps of City Hall in Hamilton.

“In appreciation of all those who brought about that watershed in the story of Bermuda, we wish to remind each other that the Boycott’s success provided the foundation for the broader achievements that our Island enjoyed over the subsequent decades,” she said.

“Aware that our Island — like much of the global community — faces new challenges today, we pause to reflect on the essence of the achievement of that transformative chapter.

“The success of the Boycott reinforced the principle that we are all called to exercise a reverence for each other, no matter our race, religion, economic status or organisational affiliation.”

The proclamation, spearheaded by community group Imagine Bermuda, was backed by the corporations of Hamilton and St George’s, the major unions and employers’ groups, both political parties, as well as churches, clubs and other groups.

The anniversary will be marked tomorrow at Harbour Night in Hamilton between 7.00pm and 8.30pm with music, dance and drama.

Ms Reed said after the ceremony: “It’s important because Bermuda is committed to progressing towards a community that is inclusive of all, regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and other human characteristics.

“As such, we recognise there are instances where not everyone upholds these principles. This proclamation serves to remind the community of our collective responsibility to protect the rights of all and to work towards inclusion in Bermuda.”

Mayor of Hamilton Graeme Outerbridge said he was at primary school when the Boycott campaign was at its height and remembered marches in protest at segregation.

“It’s a piece of history I remember although I didn’t quite understand it because I was so young,” he said.

“It’s a watermark in representing that times have changed and things are always being questioned.

“In this case, it was a simple right of sitting in the part of the theatre you wanted to.”

And he compared the event to Rosa Parks, the woman who challenged segregation on the buses in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, which galvanised the civil rights movement in the southern states of the US.

Mr Outerbridge said: “The Theatre Boycott was the kick-off for more substantive changes — it was our Rosa Parks moment.”