A silent peace walk commemorating the anniversary of a Belco workers’ protest more than 60 years ago has been cancelled owing to bad weather.

Organisers of the Silent Walk for Peace and Community will instead host a forum to reflect on the pivotal milestone at 1pm today at the Devonshire Recreation Hall.

Glenn Fubler, a community activist, said former and serving trade unionists, former police officers — including Andrew Bermingham and Roger Sherratt, who served in the Bermuda Police Service in 1965 — as well as William “Billy” Richardson, the younger brother of Hugh Richardson, who served as president of the Devonshire Recreation Club at the time, are expected to attend the event.

Representatives of families affected by violence in the community and co-ordinators of an art project at the club are also expected to attend.

The Belco protest took place in 1965, when several dozen picketers paraded during the third week of a strike.

The strike, by 90 Belco workers, called for the right for union recognition.

It eventually erupted into violence, during which time teargas was fired and protesters were admitted to hospital.

Despite the response, workers continued to protest until they were granted the ability to form a union.