We, the undersigned, join in expressing our common humanity in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace — Monday, September 21. We do so with shared concern for the human family at a perilous crossroads, with its implications both local and global. This manifests in a variety of ways; such as unbridled state violence — including livestreamed genocide — shared globally on social media.

While the context of brazen attacks on the United Nations and the World Court by powerful global leaders is gravely concerning, we salute the overwhelming support for peace by the vast majority of global citizens and applaud the September 16 third vote in the US Congress for ending the war on Iran.

We are reminded of the sentiment of a popular song — we affirm “Peace Begins With Me” (We).

Many on “whose shoulders we stand” serve as exemplars of fostering peace.

• The Progressive Group and rallying supporters of the peaceful, transformative Theatre Boycott offer a seminal example, courageously addressing intransigent injustice

• While blocking union rights to dockworkers in September 1959 led to Bermuda’s first riot squad deployment, the danger of explosive violence was averted by the likes of Leonard Bascome, Bermuda Industrial Union president, and the Reverend Vernon Byrd, the young pastor of St Paul AME

• The blocking of union rights at the Bermuda Electric Light Company led to explosive violence — 18 police unfortunately hospitalised — but a potential “war” was averted by the likes of Hugh “Rio” Richardson, Progressive Labour Party chairman and Devonshire Recreation Club president, who not only guaranteed sanctuary for protesters at the club, but engaged Governor Martonmere. These two “responders”, along with Eugene Blakeney, Ottiwell Simmons, the Reverend Byrd and others helped foster communal restoration

Our community’s awareness of this local legacy and the history of Bermuda’s solidarity with the people of South Africa will hopefully inspire us all today to leverage our collective agency to foster peace both locally and globally. In doing so, let’s all recommit to support proactive approaches to current local challenges, including:

• Domestic abuse/violence

• Cycle of gang violence

• A rededication to pro-active conflict resolution in the families, employment, commercial and political spheres

• Offer an example — at our best — in response to personal challenges

• Forgive ourselves as we forgive others

Signatories: Human Rights Commission, Bermuda Is Love, Curb, HuRen, Imagine Bermuda, Peace Collective, Social Justice Bermuda, and Alex Scott, Dennis Lister, Joan Dillas Wright, Victor Fishington, Wendell Hollis, Janet Kemp, Dante Cooper, Dianna Kempe, Saleem Talbot, Roy Wright, Betty Ann Dejean-Saunders, and the Reverend Cyril Simmons