People planning to take part in today's protest against Premier Ewart Brown say their attendance has nothing to do with racism or anti-Uighur sentiment, but everything to do with his decision to ignore due process.

Organisers have asked people to wear white and black as a show of unity. White and black protesters have spoken to The Royal Gazette via e-mail and our Facebook page in advance of the planned 12 noon rally the second this week. They say they will continue to support demonstrations until they see a change of leadership.

"Obviously I will be there," said Gilbert Pitcher, one of six co-organisers of Tuesday's first protest which saw between 800 and 1,000 demonstrators march from Sessions House to the Cabinet building and demand Dr. Brown's resignation.

"I am hoping that even more people who feel as we do come out and demonstrate in a peaceful, respectful manner," added Mr. Pitcher.

Dr. Brown appeared as a guest on Hott 107.5 radio on Wednesday, and claimed Tuesday's demonstration stemmed from whites' anger at their loss of privilege.

Protesters say race is not a factor whatsoever.

"[Dr. Brown] needs to understand that this is not about race, this is not about political affiliation, it is really not about the Uighurs, it is all about him and his autocratic, dictatorial leadership," said Dorothy Woolgar. "His playing of the race card is a despicable ploy to divert attention from the current debacle."

Many are rallying their family and friends to join in the protest, which has been planned to coincide with a planned 'no confidence motion' in the House of Assembly.

"At the moment I think about 12 of us are committed to attending," said Barbara Thomson. "We are all clear on our reasons: Dr. Brown doesn't tell the truth, and we believe Dr. Brown is harmful and an embarrassment to Bermudians and the Country."

Co-organiser Erica Rance-Cariah said: "We ask that people wear black and white to show that we are united. This is to be a peaceful rally so if you are coming with other intentions please don't bother."

Some who will not attend noted that the populace played its part in electing Dr. Brown as Premier.

"You guys voted for him, deal with it," said Tracy Lambert. "You knew how he was. Next election you guys [are] going [to] end up voting for him again. I bet. I'm going to watch and see what happens [and] let you guys do the march."

While Makai Dickerson said: "There are not too many people involved in this protest that voted for him or would ever vote for him. Ninety percent of them have been against him from his start. And because of that they have so much hate in their eyes for him they can't see what he does for what it is."

One user of The Royal Gazette's Facebook page wrote that she will not attend today's rally as she sees it as having become highly politicised.

"What started to be a movement expressing concern about a breach of protocol has become, in my opinion, a mudslinging exercise fuelled by ardent UBP supporters," said Norma Nielsen.

Some have been more explicit. Donna Foggo wrote to this newspaper to say "hell no", she will not attend the rally.

Others have expressed their gratitude to Janice Battersbee, the self-described 'lifelong PLP supporter', who has seen herself catapulted into the spotlight as the public face of the protest group.

"She should be congratulated for a sensitive, well thought out speech, the essence of which was well received by the mixed racial crowd in attendance," said Joan Aspinall in an e-mail to The Royal Gazette.

The PLP issued a statement Wednesday asking their supporters to refrain from mounting a counter-protest today "to avoid confrontation with vitriolic demonstrators".

Party spokesman Wentworth Christopher claimed yesterday that PLP supporters "had very harsh names hurled at them", including "the N word", adding that at least five people had contacted him to complain.

He noted that he was not present at the rally, so could not comment on whether any PLP supporters had shouted abusive names at protesters.

There were about 40 counter-demonstrators showing their support for the Premier, compared to the 800 to 1000 calling for Dr. Brown's resignation, according to a Police estimate.

"We have never had reason to be embarrassed by the support the members of our Party have shown to us," Mr. Christopher said, adding that he was "satisfied" with the number.

Meanwhile Bermuda Public Services Union general secretary Ed Ball sent an e-mail to members after a number of civil servants and other public sector employees called to ask whether they could participate in the protest given their Government connections.

"All civil servants serve the Government of the day," he said. "In that regard you can participate in the march as long as you do not carry a placard, speak or shout out your views or publically identify yourself as a civil servant. In other words civil servants cannot disparage the Government of the day. There have also been inquiries about persons being singled out for exercising their constitutional rights. As long as civil servants abide by the conditions outlined above there should be no disciplinary charges laid against you."

He added that BPSU members not in the Civil Service are able to participate but "still should conduct themselves accordingly".

There are plans for another rally next Friday June 26, depending on the outcome of today's no confidence motion. Meanwhile, some Bermudians are already considering the next steps should Dr. Brown remain Premier after today.

"If the Premier does not resign, every local business needs to make a stance," wrote one person in a letter to The Royal Gazette. "The entire Island should go on strike."