Imagine Bermuda to host Theatre Boycott celebration
By Clare O'Connor
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Artist Chesley Trott and Glenn Fubler of Imagine Bermuda 2009 during yesterday's press conference.
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Photo: Akil Simmons
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Next Thursday July 2 will mark 50 years since the success of the Theatre Boycott, which brought an end to segregation in Bermuda's public buildings including theatres, hotels and schools.
To mark the anniversary, community group Imagine will host a celebration at City Hall car park.
The event, which kicks of at 6.30 p.m., will include the official unveiling of local sculptor Chesley Trott's monument in tribute to boycott leaders, the Progressive Group.
The evening will also see the opening of Wesley Square, a new purpose-built public space at the south-west corner of the car park, where the Progressive Group gathered 50 years ago to the day in 1959.
According to Imagine head and event coordinator Glenn Fubler, about a dozen members of the original Progressive Group will be in attendance to mark the anniversary of the success of their efforts.
Members of another civil rights organisation, known as the Spice Hill Group, will also be at the event. This group was active in picketing segregated venues as far back as 1951.
Mr. Fubler noted that 14 Hamilton restaurants will be offering 50 percent off deals next Thursday evening to honour the anniversary.
He thanked the Corporation of Hamilton for their involvement in setting up that deal, as well as their work reconfiguring a corner of City Hall Car Park into Wesley Square.
