Wayne Caines, the former CEO of Digicel Bermuda, spoke at a rally in Atlanta yesterday evening following a grand jury’s decision not to indict a police officer who shot and killed unarmed Missouri teenager Michael Brown.

Yesterday’s event was a peaceful gathering of more than 2,000 people and was held 24 hours after the grand jury decision.

Mr Brown was shot in the city of Ferguson on August 9. There was overnight violence on the streets of Ferguson following Monday’s decision.

Mr Caines is in Atlanta for the Thanksgiving holiday, having earlier collected his daughter Maxii from Oakland University, in Alabama, where she is studying.

He told The Royal Gazette: “I, along with the rest of the world, watched as the grand jury decision was read by the Ferguson state prosecutor.

“I received a call from event organiser and a Bermudian, Queen K (who requested that we not us her real name) who asked if I could speak.

“I was honoured to do so. I wanted to give a global context and a rallying cry.”

Mr Caines said the event was attended by a wide cross-section of people, many from universities in the Atlanta area. There was music, poetry and guest speakers, and the rally was covered by local radio and TV stations. Mr Caines said there were no incidents of violence.

“I was humbled to be a part of the epic, non-violent and peaceful demonstration,” he added.

Mr Caines has uploaded a video of his speech onto his Facebook page.