Businesses are being encouraged to close their doors for an hour on Friday to show support for a peaceful demonstration outside the House of Assembly.

The 12.15 p.m. rally, dubbed ?Lunch for Democracy? by organisers, is a protest aimed at MPs who failed to debate a bill which would have outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The draft legislation, tabled by Government backbencher Renee Webb, was kicked out at the committee stage after its second reading last Friday when only one other MP spoke out on it.

Those behind Friday?s demonstration plan to place an advertisement in tomorrow?s edition of . It urges people both for and against the failed Human Rights Amendment Act 2006 to make their presence felt at the House. ?End complacency, lunch for democracy,? it reads. ?Participate in making a strong statement to our representatives and leaders ? let us not remain silent, let us not be absent.

?Democracy became paralysed after Friday?s ?debate? on an amendment to the Human Rights Act. We can no longer afford to be apathetic. Let us assert our individual responsibility and take comfort in our power and ability to make change together.

?Make your presence felt even if you only have 15 minutes to spare.?

The advert also asks employers to give staff flexible lunch breaks to allow them to attend the march. And it adds: ?We encourage businesses to consider closing their premises for an hour starting at noon in support.?

Rock Island Coffee, on Reid Street, confirmed yesterday that it would shut for an hour in a show of support.

Owner Lisabet Outerbridge said: ?We encourage other businesses to follow suit and allow their employees to participate. The concept of a healthy democracy is important to my staff and this is our way of supporting this cause.?

She said Rock Island would be used as a base for the event. ?We will also allow placards and signs to be posted up in the shop for the week so that the general public can view them and be allowed to make up their own minds as to the direction that Bermuda?s politicians are taking this country.?

Suzanne Mayall, one of the organisers, told that support for the action was growing and that invitations to the rally would be sent to MPs today.

?Most of our communication has been via email so far and we have certainly had a lot of email responses,? she said.

?People seem to be excited that something is going to happen.

?There is an expectation of action, which is unusual for Bermuda.?

Tomorrow?s advert tells readers: ?You will be having lunch with a diverse group of people with many differing views: those for the amendment, those against and those seeking to learn more.

?What we have in common is a desire and commitment to improve Bermuda?s democratic process.?

Ms Webb?s bill was opposed by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. No one from the church could be contacted yesterday to see if it intended to have a presence at the protest.

Ms Mayall said: ?The message is getting out there. Friday is not about the amendment itself, it?s about the quality of leadership. We are hoping that people will come regardless of which side of the amendment they are on.?