A day of unity and healing is to be held tomorrow.

The public is asked to show its support and join in the National Peace Day at Devonshire’s National Sports Centre.

The Ministry of National Security organised the event for families who have lost loved ones in a joint effort with churches and social service agencies.

Wayne Caines, the national security minister, said the peace day was designed to tackle “the challenges of antisocial behaviour and violence”.

He added the organisers had decided to also “embrace those in our population who are experiencing deep hurt, loss and trauma due to other reasons”.

The Royal Gazette’s Drive for Change road safety campaign is to pitch in, along with groups like the Mirrors Programme for young people, anti-sex abuse charity Scars and the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which runs sail training for young people.

Mr Caines said: “The main aim is to remind Bermuda that we have so much in common, so much to be proud of and so much that unites us. We want to celebrate Bermuda and her people.”

The peace day was organised by Pastor Leroy Bean, Bermuda’s gang violence reduction co-ordinator. He said: “One thing Bermuda experienced over the last few years is a lack of mourning.

“With this event we are bringing everyone together so we can do collective mourning. Unless society collectively mourns, we cannot really learn.”

Mr Bean added: “If something needs to be conquered, we need to conquer it as one. Everyone is affected — we will show those families that have lost loved ones that we are here to support.”

Mr Caines asked “everyone to come out — different faiths, creeds, races, nationalities, different age groups”.

He said: “We want to see the unique tapestry that is Bermuda.”

Peace committee members include Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, Vernon Lambe, Bishop of the First Church of God, Pastor Lynn Landy of Agape Faith Fellowship, Apostle Jimmie Denwiddie, Pastor Kimmie Mello and Pastor Gladwin Thompson.

Bishop Dill said the night had been set up as an another occasion to reflect during Heritage Month and would include a children’s zone and entertainers as well as “an area where people can pray or receive counselling”.

National Peace Day will start at 5pm and finish at 7.30pm.