March 1, 2013Dear Sir,Having witnessed today’s event on ‘Capital Hill’, let me just confirm that there was a gathering, of sorts, there. It was hardly a boastful march. I was extremely concerned at the sight of a dozen or so seven or eight-year-olds (yes, primary students!) that were part of the same group in their blue PE gear that were led into the grounds of Sessions House by an adult. They were, therefore, witness to a jeering crowd at times and possibly to an incident involving a gatherer and our Premier. There was also significant vocal condemnation from the crowd whenever a Government spokesperson came to the podium. I am not sure what school was represented by this group of children but there’s an obvious question here. Why was there a need to escort a large group of children to a political demonstration? And, yes, it was political, despite what the naysayers may have the people believe.My next question is, was this classed as a school field trip, per se? Whether or not it was, was it, likewise, ratified by the particular school’s governors or other principals of the school or whatever group they represented? I ask these questions because it is tantamount to abuse of a minor, no matter how you cut it and considering what they were exposed to on that hill. I believe the tagline of the march was scripted as “protecting our children and grandchildren”. Really? Hello! The gatherers succeeded only in polluting young minds even further. Take a long hard look Bermuda. This ain’t the way forward for our younger generations and shame on the educators of this group of children for allowing this to happen.MICHAEL R DUDDENPaget