Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy has said the behaviour of protesters who caused chaos among early morning commuters on East Broadway yesterday was “unacceptable”.

He also told demonstrators that if they objected to immigration reforms they should contact him directly with their questions.

About 30 protesters temporarily blocked half of East Broadway from 5am as part of an active campaign of “civil disobedience”.

The group is rallying against the controversial reform proposals declared last month by the Bermuda Government. The Pathways to Status programme, announced by Senator Fahy, has already been the subject of several protests.

Under the new guidelines, those who have lived in Bermuda for 15 years can apply for permanent residency, while those who have a permanent resident’s certificate and have lived on the island for 20 years, can seek Bermudian status.

Yesterday’s action was the most disruptive so far as motorists were prevented from entering Hamilton, causing police officers to redirect traffic.

Michael DeSilva, the Commissioner of Police, said the demonstration had placed officers in a difficult position, and they had been reluctant to use heavy-handed tactics.

Apologising to commuters, he said: “We circulated a notice last month advising on the correct procedure to obtain permission for a public procession under the Public Order Act.

“Any protest that takes place in a public street must have a permit issued from the Deputy Governor’s office and all directions from the police must be complied with.

“That was not the case this morning and some of the behaviour demonstrated may constitute the offences of unlawful assembly or obstruction.

“Accordingly, we are preparing a file for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether any charges should be laid.”

Senator Fahy said: “Everyone has the right to peaceably assemble and make their views heard — robust dialogue is the key to democracy — but we must do so in a way that is appropriate and constructive.

“Preventing the majority from getting to work is unacceptable.

“I invite any of those individuals protesting today to contact me with their questions, concerns or alternate visions for what comprehensive immigration reform looks like to them. I want to hear from them which parts of the proposed reform they don’t like, and which parts they do, as it seems clear that we all support the need for some form of immigration reform.

“I invite them to go on the Government website, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, where we have posted a great deal of information on this initiative, in particular with regards to how it will directly benefit Bermudians. When the economy benefits, Bermudians benefit and the Pathways to Status initiative, along with many other initiatives put in place by this Government, will all work together in turning the economy around.

“We need to update our immigration policy to better serve Bermudians today and tomorrow. The Government remains committed to comprehensive immigration reform and has proposed exactly that.”

Michael Dunkley said last night that it was “regrettable and disappointing that motorists were challenged” because of the protest.

“I called the Commissioner of Police to discuss the matter and he provided me with a full update,” the Premier added.

“This Government supports individuals expressing their democratic right to demonstrate and voice their views, but I encourage members of the public to adhere to the appropriate laws, protocols and procedures as outlined by the Bermuda Police Service.”

Last week, hundreds gathered outside the Government Administration Building on Parliament Street to voice their displeasure at the One Bermuda Alliance’s plans.

Yesterday, the protesters handed out flyers that read: “Today’s traffic is slow because, having tried everything else, people are holding a street vigil to pray for the Government to listen to the call for comprehensive immigration reform.

“All of Bermuda will benefit from this approach to reform, as it will ensure all voices will be heard; a responsible immigration policy that measures all impacts, including economic, racial, social, educational, cultural, environmental and electoral; Bermudian opportunities will be preserved.”

The flyer also invited members of the public to “direct your frustration” to Mr Dunkley; Senator Fahy; Sylvan Richards, the Junior Minister of Home Affairs; and Trevor Moniz, the Attorney-General, listing all of their telephone numbers.

Protester Mujib Swan accused the OBA of using its legislative changes as a “political football”, adding: “The legislation has been biased against individuals by gender, by nationality and also by race. We want to represent the wellbeing of Bermudians. We feel that the legislation should be bipartisan and it should be carefully drafted so it doesn’t continue to be biased.”

Lynne Winfield, from anti-racism group Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda, called the reforms “wrong for the people”.

“They don’t take into account the discriminatory effects,” she said. “It’s not that the people here are anti-foreigner, it’s not that we’re against giving out PRCs or status to people. That should happen, but the way it’s being done is insensitive to the concerns of Bermudians, especially black Bermudians.”

Ronnika Darrell has been trying to find work in Bermuda since June, after graduating with a master’s degree in general business management from DeVry University.

“I haven’t really had any type of response,” she said. “Where is the channel for Bermudian students with fresh talent and experience to transition into the workforce?”

Elizabeth Isaac, 84, said: “Why, at this stage of my life, do I still have to be fighting for my civic rights? My son is trying to find a job as a truck driver but they told him he’s too old. He’s 55 and he’s qualified. So now somebody else will come in, and under this policy they’ll be able to get that job.”

Walton Brown, the Progressive Labour Party MP who has rallied protesters via social media in recent weeks, said: “The idea is to engage in civil disobedience to provoke thought and to provoke a reaction.

“The purpose is to try to persuade the Government to step back from its unilateral position and engage in a sincere collaborative approach to one of our most controversial and divisive issues.”

While many passing motorists cheered the demonstrators, one woman who gave her name as Doreen said she had been subjected to slurs, including “get a life”, and another calling protesters “idiots”.

Mr DeSilva explained that the “unnecessary disruption to the free movement of the public ... placed the police in the untenable position of being caught in the middle”.

“Whether a protest is about Pathways to Satus, same-sex marriage or furlough days, the police do not hold any views on the merits of the debate,” he added.

“Rather, we are mandated to maintain peace and good order and facilitate the exercise of democratic rights to protest peacefully and lawfully.

“Where we must intervene, our policy is to use the least intrusive and coercive law-enforcement measures possible. It does no community any good for the police to use heavy-handed tactics to address protesters over issues that are already emotionally charged to begin with.”

• For more photographs of yesterday’s protest, click on the image gallery at the bottom of our homepage