Hundreds of protesters interrupted last night’s sitting of the Senate to demand a “bipartisan, collaborative dialogue” on immigration reform.

Police ordered the public to leave the Cabinet Building after Senate president Carol Ann Bassett brought proceedings to a close for two hours.

The sitting resumed at around 8pm, with Ms Bassett cautioning the 25 members of the public looking on not disrupt proceedings or they could be removed, but otherwise offering them a “clean slate”. The seats in the viewing area remained full throughout the ensuing debate without any problems.

Government senators left the room as a chanting, singing crowd packed into the chamber of the Upper House, shortly before the debate was to commence on The Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act.

More than 500 gathered outside Cabinet at 5.30pm, organised in 24 hours via social media by Walton Brown, Shadow Minister of Immigration, who called for “a campaign of civil disobedience demanding a halt to proposed new immigration laws”.

Hailing the event a victory for “people power” after the crowd had filed back out of the building, Mr Brown told them: “You tonight have demonstrated that we can make the Government pause and listen.” Although he said both parties needed to join together in ending the Island’s divisions over the sensitive issue of immigration, Mr Brown pulled no punches.

“I’m hoping that Government is listening — hoping we do not have to step this activity up,” he said, to whistles and applause. “If we have to, we will.”

In an unusual move, the latest piece of immigration legislation was tabled in Friday’s session by Michael Fahy, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Senator Fahy said he was within his right as minister to bring the Bill before the Senate, characterising it as an urgently needed boost for the Island’s stagnant real estate market.

“I’m disappointed that the Opposition felt the need to organise this protest tonight, especially at the same time as we discuss legislation that is designed to assist Bermudians and boost our flagging housing market,” he said.

Asked if he would agree to sit with the Progressive Labour Party for a collaborative discussion, Sen Fahy said he enjoyed “a very good, collaborative, open relationship” with Mr Brown.

“I think we need a discussion based on fact, not innuendo,” Sen Fahy said. “Calling for civil disobedience because you don’t get what you’re looking for is no way forward, and it’s not collaborative. I am more than prepared, as is this Government, to engage in a collaborative approach, but the rhetoric and deliberate use of misinformation needs to stop.”

Sen Fahy agreed that immigration was a sore topic for many Bermudians fearing for their livelihoods.

“It’s one thing to say that there is this massive underlying issue in Bermuda, but the Opposition has every opportunity, both in the House and Senate, to make their points,” he said. “Rhetoric without facts is dangerous.”

However, Mr Brown said the One Bermuda Alliance’s advantage of numbers gave the government carte blanche to pass whatever legislation it pleased.

“There needs to be a comprehensive dialogue which asserts as a principle that Bermudians should come first in their own country,” he said. He conceded that in such a dialogue, both sides would have to compromise.

Bermuda was “fundamentally divided as a country” when it came to immigration, Mr Brown added.

“The whole question is immersed in 50 years of race and nationality.

“The only way to break this is with a consensus. Maybe neither side gets what they want.”

Shortly after 6pm, Mr Brown led hundreds into the Senate Chamber, filling the building while protesters chanted “Power to the people” and sang “We shall not be moved”.

Ms Bassett called a halt to the Senate, as protesters were on their feet in the chamber, contrary to Senate rules.

After the crowd returned outside and Police closed off the staircase, PLP Member of Parliament Glenn Blakeney confronted them, demanding to see the article of law allowing access to be denied.

PLP Senator Diallo Rabain announced that Ms Bassett had agreed to allow protesters in when the Senate resumed, but only if they were quiet and remained seated.

“How can we stop the debate?” an onlooker shouted to him. “This shouldn’t be happening.”

“You cannot stop the debate,” Sen Rabain responded.

Mr Brown congratulated protesters, but suggested they claim their victory for the time being — adding: “They will pass it tonight. We have six weeks to work on a campaign.”

During the Motion to Adjourn shortly after midnight, Senators from both sides of the floor praised Ms Bassett for her handing of the crowd.

Opposition Senate Leader Diallo Rabain said he was happy to see the public come out to make sure that their voices were heard, while Ms Bassett herself said she was pleased to see that after she explained the rules of the Chamber there were no further issues.

“I look forward to when I come back and seeing some of there faces here where they can take a more active role in making sure their voices are heard,” she said.

However Sen Fahy voiced concerns about the behaviour of elected members of the lower House, who he claimed refused to assist Ms Bassett in controlling the crowd.