Ferries, buses and the docks were among a host of services stopped yesterday after hundreds of workers responded to a call for an island-wide labour withdrawal from the People’s Campaign.

About 1,200 people took part in a peaceful but at times fiery demonstration outside the House of Assembly and on Cabinet grounds, in opposition to the Bermuda Government’s Pathways to Status Bill.

Inside the House, Michael Dunkley was involved in angry exchanges with Progressive Labour Party MPs over the action, which the Premier described as “irresponsible and misconceived”.

Protesters, largely led by Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert and the Reverend Nicholas Tweed of the People’s Campaign, began the day at Union Square in Hamilton and marched on Parliament shortly before 10am.

They packed out the House public gallery at one stage, before storming the Cabinet Building as Mr Dunkley held a press conference on the matter at lunch time, prompting the intervention of police officers. A similar protest is expected on Monday, when MPs are due to debate the controversial legislation.

The island failed to come to a complete standstill however: all schools remained open, although many parents faced disruption and confusion, while trash collections were still completed as some Corporation of Hamilton staff filled in for their missing colleagues.

Meanwhile some motorists picked up residents who were stranded at bus stops, to play their part in ensuring the many thousands not taking part in the stoppage could still make it to work.

The action has been described as illegal by Mr Dunkley, and at one point yesterday Mr Furbert and Mr Tweed told the crowd that they had been served draft injunctions by the Government.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Bermuda Hotel Association were among those to vent frustration at the labour withdrawal, saying it was counterproductive to the island’s fragile economic recovery and complaining they had not been given any forewarning to better accommodate guests who were inconvenienced.

The day’s events followed a week of tension in which Michael Fahy, the Minister of Home Affairs, and other senior One Bermuda Alliance members had been in talks with union leaders over the legislation, which would make it more straightforward for long-term residents to gain both permanent residency and status.

Early on Thursday evening, Senator Fahy said the unions had indicated they had no desire to take part in unlawful action.

However, by 11pm, following a call to arms by LaVerne Furbert of the People’s Campaign, the Government warned industrial activity was likely, an action Mr Dunkley described as illegal.

Confusion reigned early yesterday morning, and by 8am the only news to come from any union was a message from the Bermuda Union of Teachers leadership to its members, telling them they should let their conscience be their guide.

As a result, many parents were left with little choice other than to make alternative arrangements for their children, with CedarBridge Academy reporting less than half its usual attendance of students.

Shortly after 8am, it emerged the ferries and buses were out of order, while the crowd of protesters started to gather at Union Square. Only about 150 were present at 8.30am, but about 1,200 were involved by the time they marched to the House before 10am.

Rallying the crowd early in the day, Mr Furbert said: “What we said to the ministers is the people are crying out for you to take this legislation off the table.”

Mr Tweed said: “We are going to stand strong, fighting for freedom.”

Mr Dunkley said people are free to express themselves, but he added: “The call to withdraw labour is intended to disrupt life in Bermuda, inconveniencing many families and interfering with the delivery of service.

“Children will not be able to get transport to school.

“Parents will be forced to remain home from work to care for them. The list of disruptions goes on.”

Protesters were largely upbeat, as Bob Marley anthems played repeatedly in the background, but many expressed their anger.

One demonstrator, Pat O’Connor, told The Royal Gazette: “There’s been a lot going on that is very upsetting. We need to see change.”

Enda Matthie, the high-profile protester four days into her hunger strike on Cabinet grounds, earned a round of applause by taking the microphone to say: “Dissolve parliament and go to the polls.”

Near the end of the afternoon, Mr Furbert told the crowd they would be back bright and early on Monday, with one protester calling out: “Bring your children.”

The gathering left at about 5pm, embarking on a second march through Hamilton, before winding up back at Union Square, where several hundred people began dancing to more Marley music.

Last night Senator Fahy said he did not believe the demonstrations were reflective of the Bermudian community, saying that the OBA were greeted by spitting and threats. He further claimed his black colleagues were called “House n***as” and “sell-outs” by protesters

“Today was not Bermuda,” he said. “Today was not ‘us’. Today was fear mongering of the worst kind. It was un-Bermudian.

“I ask you, not as the Minister of Home Affairs, not as a member of the Senate — I ask you as a Bermudian father of three Bermudian children — are you your brother’s keeper? I know you are which is why I am proud to be Bermudian and why I know that the silent majority will stand for what is the right thing to do.”

According to the Government, public services disrupted yesterday were:

• buses and ferries;

• customs freight services at LF Wade International Airport;

• teacher and student absences at schools;

• Vector Control Department;

• trash collection, Marsh Folly composting site, Airport Disposal Site, Government Quarry and Prospect Depot;

• all post offices except the General Post Office, Crawl and Southampton sub post offices.

Additional reporting by Jonathan Bell, Simon Jones and Lisa Simpson

The timeline below comprises our live updates on Friday’s demonstration and its knock-on effects throughout the day:

8.05am: Confirmation is received that the ferries will not be running.

8.15am: It has been determined that buses will also not be running.

However, The Royal Gazette understands that the Transport Control Department is open as usual.

8.30am: About 150 people have gathered outside of the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters on Union Street, where music is blaring. The street is blocked and there is a small police presence. A podium is set up on the BIU steps.

8.45am: Numbers outside the BIU have now swelled to 200. The block is closed off to traffic.

9am: Crowds have reached about 300. People are largely standing listening to gospel music, with a speech of some sort expected soon.

9.05am: Education minister Wayne Scott tells The Royal Gazette it “looks like all schools are functioning as normal at this point”. He says more information will be provided shortly.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport apologises to the public for any inconvenience as a result of labour action taken this morning which resulted in the loss of ferry and bus service. The ministry says it will keep the public advised on the status of service.

9.20am The Reverend Nicholas Tweed addresses the crowd outside the BIU. “It appears that democracy for some is a spectator sport,” he says. “They want to sit and make all the decisions and have us sit in the back while we just watch them work. We come to remind them that democracy is a participatory process, and those entrusted to govern are servants of the people and not rulers of the people.”

9.25am: BIU president Chris Furbert takes the mike and says the Government is not hearing the people. Mr Furbert recounts his meeting with government ministers on Wednesday because tensions and frustrations were rising. “This is no game,” he says. “What we said to the ministers is the people are crying out for you to take this legislation off the table.”

9.30am: Mr Furbert says the BIU is calling on all the people to stop work today in protest — and apologises for not putting out a statement last night instead of this morning.

9.35am: “This is absolutely not a labour issue. This is a political issue in relationship to your constitutional right of freedom of peaceful assembly and peaceful protest,” Mr Furbert tells the crowd, adding that the one-day stoppage is in keeping with protests around the world.

9.40am: The crowd embarks on a march to the House of Assembly. Mr Furbert urges them to maintain respect and public conduct. The Bermuda Public Services Union is holding a meeting this morning, with Mr Furbert saying he is not sure if they will join in.

9.55am: Marchers arrive outside Sessions House, where protester Enda Matthie is continuing her hunger strike.

“I feel good,” Ms Matthie says, pointing to her sign calling for Parliament to be dissolved when asked how long she plans to remain.

Asked about statements online that she was in fact an actress from the United States, Ms Matthie laughs.

“At one point in my life a thousand years ago, I put my profile online — that was a whole other lifetime,” she says, adding: “And I have never lived in Philadelphia.”

10am: All doors are locked to the House of Assembly, with Opposition MPs Jamahl Simmons and Walter Roban among those unable to get in.

10.05am: The remaining MPs are allowed into the building after Mr Roban remonstrates with police that the public entrance to the House cannot legally be locked.

10.15am: People young and old, including dozens of school-age children, are talking and some are sitting on the grounds. A few are carrying signs, one saying: “We are not anti-foreigner, we are pro-Bermudian.”

Pat O’Connor says she is there to show her support for people out of work, adding: “There’s been a lot going on that is very upsetting. We need to see change. Enough is enough. We want the right decision do everyone can benefit, not just a select few.”

Saying that money has been taken away from schools, she adds: “What we have to recognise is that our children are really our future.”

10.15am: The Corporation of Hamilton thanks residents for their patience amid delays to services caused by the action, revealing staff have taken on trash collection duties.

10.20am: Michael Dunkley, the Premier, tells MPs that the Government hears people’s concerns and that people are free to express themselves, but calls the call by the People’s Campaign for work to be called an irresponsible act that has disrupted life in Bermuda and inconvenienced people.

“The call by the People’s Campaign for an island-wide withdrawal of labour in response to the Government’s plan to engage in a full debate of its proposals for comprehensive immigration reform cannot be considered a responsible action,” says Mr Dunkley.

“This honourable House is the place to debate the issues that we as a country must face, especially the most challenging and most uncomfortable issues.

“The call to withdraw labour is intended to disrupt life in Bermuda, inconveniencing many families and interfering with the delivery of services. Children will not be able to get transport to school. Parents will be forced to remain home from work to care for them. The list of disruptions goes on. The call for withdrawal of Labour threatens Bermuda’s work to rebuild the economy — work that produces the jobs and opportunity Bermudians sorely need to provide for their families. It will impact us far beyond our shores, and far beyond today.”

Opposition leader Marc Bean rises to ask the Premier “if in light of this strike action, if the Government’s position on Pathways to Status is unchanged”. Mr Dunkley responds that it was not a strike but has been worded “a withdrawal of labour”, adding: “Our current position remains the same.”

Progressive Labour Party MP Walton Brown asks Mr Dunkley if he would accept that “greater and greater social unrest is likely to follow”.

“I do not support the approach of some in the community who like to see tensions rise,” Mr Dunkley says, adding that it is “unfortunate that there are Members that continue to walk along this path”. He adds that the Government has been “swamped by people who support this proposal”.

10.20am: There will be no trash collection today, while the Marsh Folly composting site and the Airport Disposal Site are not operating today. Tyne’s Bay drop-off will be open as normal, the Ministry of Public Works advises.

10.25am: Campaigner Peggy Burns addresses the crowd shouting: “Free this island by any means necessary.”

10.30am: Asked by Mr Roban if he believes it becoming to refer to the public as “bullies”, Mr Dunkley says he would turn the question back and ask if it is “OK for Members of Parliament to refer to others as cockroaches”.

Opposition MP Diallo Rabain asks if the Premier plans to address protesters outside.

“I’m always happy to talk and speak to people,” Mr Dunkley says.

Randy Horton, the Speaker of the House, interjects: “I’m noticing some reaction by members in the gallery. Let me just say that if you sit in the gallery it is a privilege, and there should be no reaction to anything said. Otherwise you will be asked to leave.”

10.45am: BPSU president Jason Hayward releases a statement that expresses solidarity with the action taken by the People’s Campaign.

10.45am: One protester, who asks not to be named, says a change in government is needed.

“The people are crying out for the old government. The new government is hopes and promises and doesn’t deliver. We’ve never had so many people out of work in all my years. They’re not listening to the people. “Come out of that suitcase, bring it out of that suitcase to help everybody, not just themselves.”

“They need to stop with this prejudice on the people.”

10.50am: Inside the House, Mr Dunkley is asked by the Opposition if he would address protesters or ignore them; he responds that everyone’s opinion matters.

“This country faces many challenges and leadership requires tough decisions that are going to please some people and make some people unhappy. We are not in a position on this side of the House that make people unhappy.”

The Premier agrees with MP David Burt of the PLP that disrespectful comments online from all quarters are inappropriate, adding that one of his colleagues had been slandered by protesters outside on Monday.

“There is no place to tear our brothers and sisters down.”

Mr Horton asks the sergeant-at-arms to remove a member of the public from the gallery.

11am: The crowd outside the House of Assembly is now estimated to be about 1,000.

Protester Warren Foggo says he has attended to “support the rest of the people here for our country”.

“I would like for Government to sit down and Congress with the people of this island,” he says, adding that there has not been enough consultation with the people.

Flyers are being handed out to the crowd that state the proposed legislation is about votes. The flyer reads: “Come one let’s be real! We all know it’s not really about human rights for PRCs. It’s really all about importing votes for the OBA in the next General Election.”

11am: In response to questions from PLP MP Dennis Lister, Mr Dunkley says the Government would proceed with debating the immigration legislation on Monday.

11.05am: Opposition MPs leave Parliament in union. Much of the gallery empties as well. Mr Dunkley’s remarks have ended.

11.15am: More protesters are holding signs, with one reading “Bermudians fighting for Bermuda”. Crowds are milling around the House; no one is talking, but the sound of proceedings in the House can be heard over a loudspeaker.

11.20am: Stevedoring Services confirms it is not able to provide a service today as a result of the withdrawal of labour.

11.25am: A group of PLP MPs including Michael Scott, Rolfe Commissiong and Walton Brown emerge from the House to a ripple of applause.

11.30am: MPs suggest that there are “thousands outside” on the grounds of Parliament. A more accurate assessment, supported by watching police, is hundreds, approaching 1,000.

11.40am: PLP MPs including Opposition leader Marc Bean go through the crowd greeting protesters, while the tones of Mr Dunkley talking about the Royal Bermuda Regiment continue in the background. More people have now arrived, taking the estimated crowd to about 1,200.

11.45am: The Sherri J show has now replaced proceedings from inside the House on the loudspeakers.

11.45am: The Ministry of Education advises that no schools have officially been closed.

12.10pm: Protester Graham Maule takes the microphone and accuses Government of “bamboozling” the people. He says the Pathways to Status initiative is not about human rights but the OBA securing its power base. He then launches into “we shall not be moved” on the trombone.

12.15pm: Opposition MPs, including Mr Bean, are filtering back into the House.

12.30pm: BIU president Mr Furbert tells the crowd: “We cannot back down. This is about the country and the people.”

Mr Furbert says Mr Dunkley may be listening, but he is not hearing. “It’s time for the people of Bermuda to stand up and send the government a clear message,” he adds.

12.40pm: Mr Tweed tells the crowd: “We are going to stand strong, fighting for freedom.”

He asks the crowd: “What do we want?” and they respond “justice”.

12.40pm: Bermuda Tourism Authority and Bermuda Hotels Association release a joint statement saying today’s action is essentially a call to “shut down the country”, and counter-productive to Bermuda’s fragile economy.

12.50pm: PLP member Makai Dickerson demands that Government consult with the people over immigration reform. “If we have to come back it may not be so pleasant for you,” he adds. “Let’s do the right thing.”

1pm: Crowds are now heading from the House of Assembly to the grounds of the Cabinet, where Mr Dunkley is about to start a press conference.

1.05pm: Mr Dunkley tells a press conference at Cabinet that the call for the withdrawal of labour threatens the island.

As he speaks, protesters assemble outside, calling for a “conversation” with the Premier.

Asked if he would speak with protesters, Mr Dunkley referred to a recent public meeting that was shouted down and said it was “futile” when there are “certain people who don’t want to hear the message”.

1.10pm: Angry members of the crowd invade the Cabinet Building. Some try to enter the press conference as the Premier wraps up, while others enter the Senate Chamber, prompting police to step in.Police officers are guarding the entrance door to the chambers.

1.15pm: Police hold the press room door locked as the crowd enter the building.

1.20pm: Protesters who gained access to the Cabinet Building gradually file out. Police officers remain at the front door. Mr Tweed, Mr Furbert and Mr Hayward remaining inside talking to Cabinet, with a few seated protesters and child protesters, also allowed to stay inside.

1.30pm: An estimated 300 people are on Cabinet grounds, mostly near to the door of the building. At least 20 police officers are at the scene but the atmosphere is peaceful.

1.30pm: The Bermuda Zoological Society announces its Environmental Youth Conference will be running on Monday and Tuesday as scheduled. In the event of the public transportation not running, and school closures, participants should be dropped at the Aquarium for 8.30am on Monday.

1.45pm: Protesters including Mr Tweed, Mr Furbert and Mr Hayward emerge from the Senate Chamber after talks with the One Bermuda Alliance Cabinet, followed shortly afterwards by Mr Dunkley.

1.45pm: Gina Davis, Director for Instruction and Staff Development at CedarBridge Academy, says: “We put a message on our Facebook page this morning to tell parents that we are open and if students cannot make it in to call or e-mail. I know there are about 200 children in today — usually there are 500 students.”

1.50pm: OBA ministers and MPs head back up the hill to the House of Assembly, many having left the Cabinet building by the back door. They receive a less than friendly reception on their short walk, as Bob Marley’s One Love in the background fails to cheer the spirits. Protesters are also heading back to the House of Assembly grounds.

2pm: The Premier is now back in the House and the Budget debate has resumed. Mr Furbert addresses the crowd once more.

2.10pm: Mr Furbert says that he, Mr Hayward and Mr Tweed, along with two others, will meet with the Premier at a time to be arranged. “We have taken nothing off the table,” he tells the protesters.

Mr Tweed says: “We are not going to a meeting to have a meeting, we are committed to complete a purpose.”

2.30pm: The morning trash collection has been completed, according to the City of Hamilton.

3pm: Protesters remain in force on the grounds of the House of Assembly. Bob Marley tunes have now given way to the sound of Gombey drums and whistles. Drummers have moved right in front of the House, below the chamber.

3.20pm: Opposition leader Mr Bean and hunger strike protester Enda Matthie are about to address the crowd. There is a large round of applause for Ms Matthie. Mr Bean thanks the crowd for coming out and says that “we are in a rock and a hard place” after Mr Dunkley said he would not withdraw the Pathways to Status legislation.

Marc Bean says the Government has taken a path to marginalise Bermudians.

“When it’s time for you stand up for your rights and seek justice I don’t expect you to bow,” Mr Bean says.

He tells the people they have the power, adding: “No compromise, you can not negotiate with liars and people you can not trust.

“I hope today is the start of momentum that builds. If the Government do not change their mind I expect you to take the power back.

“No more compromise. Either you pull the bill or the next step is for the people to exercise their democratic right. I expect you to take their mandate.”

3.30pm: Ms Matthie says: “Dissolve parliament and go to the polls.”

She explains her hunger strike and stating she has more than two or three days in her and so do the people present.

“I’m going the distance,” she says. “This is not a show, this is not a game.”

“We don’t have to have compassion for expatriates, they can go home. We deserve a quality of life in our own country. So if we’re willing to go the distance, I’m here.”

Gombey drums resume.

3.40pm: Government releases a statement outlining which area have faced disruption:

• public transportation: bus and ferry service;

• LF Wade International Airport services were operable with the exception of some services in the Customs Freight section;

• all schools remained open today although there were some reported teacher and student absences at some schools;

• the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment reported that the Vector Control Department faced service disruptions;

• the Ministry of Public Works faced service disruptions with trash collection, the Marsh Folly composting site, the Airport Disposal Site, the Government Quarry and the Prospect Depot, all of which were not operational;

• the Bermuda Post Office: All post offices were closed today, with the exception of the General Post Office, Crawl and Southampton sub post offices which remained open.

“The Bermuda Government takes this opportunity to thank the public for their patience and understanding and apologised for any inconvenience caused,” a statement says.

3.45pm: Bus driver Mark Anderson addresses the protesters.

“I’m standing here as a Bermudian first,” he says. “And everyone knows I can take on the government by myself when I’m ready.”

He draws parallels between Bermuda and the Cayman Islands at the turn of the millennium and asks what will happen if “we allow this bill to go through”.

4.10pm: Mr Furbert addresses the crowd and asks them to determine the next step.

“Government has proceeded to serve a draft injunction on two individuals; that is Reverend Tweed and myself,” Mr Furbert says. “Be that as it may, you decide as to what we’re going to do from here.”

His question, “Are we coming back on Monday?” is met with a resounding “Yes!” from the crowd.

He urges protesters to stand together and stay focused, saying that “we shouldn’t divide ourselves” as this would be “a recipe for disaster”.

He also references what happened in the Eighties, stating “if you want them to listen, we’ve got to drum it up some more”.

Mr Furbert asks the crowd how long they want to stay, before declaring they will leave at 5pm to march back to the union headquarters.

But they will be back on Monday bright and early, he says, meeting at the union between 8am and 8.30am to march on the House once again, when the Pathways to Status legislation will go before MPs.

One protester shouts: “Bring your children.”

4.10pm: “Government has proceeded to serve a draft injunction on two individuals; that is Reverend Tweed and myself,” Mr Furbert said. “Be that as it may, you decide as to what we’re going to do from here.”

4.55pm: Protesters get ready to march back to the BIU headquarters on Union Street with those present being encouraged to make their way on to the street. They appear to be heading towards Parliament Street.

5pm: Demonstrators head along Reid Street, then Queen Street and on to Church Street, with a police escort. People stand at the entrances to businesses and buildings, some raising their fists in solidarity, others taking videos and photos.

5.25pm: The march has reached Victoria Street, with between 400 and 500 people still taking part. Union Street is closed off by police, with some protesters dancing to the sounds of Bob Marley.

11pm: Sen Fahy released a statement calling on the public to support the Pathways to Status initiative.

The senator said he did not believe the demonstrations were reflective of the Bermudian community, saying that the OBA were greeted by spitting, threats and claiming that his black colleagues were called “House n***as” and “sell outs” by protesters

“Today was not Bermuda,” he said. “Today was not ‘us’. Today was fear mongering of the worst kind. It was un-Bermudian.

“I ask you, not as the Minister of Home Affairs, not as a member of the Senate — I ask you as a Bermudian father of three Bermudian children — are you your brother’s keeper? I know you are which is why I am proud to be Bermudian and why I know that the silent majority will stand for what is the right thing to do.”

• For correspondence between Chris Furbert and Michael Dunkley, the Premier, the home affairs ministry statement, the BIU statement confirming yesterday’s action and the BPSU statement, click on the PDF links under “Related Media”