A community activist is taking direct action to drum up the Island’s youth.

Charles Spanswick is hoping to combat voter apathy among the younger generation with a Youth Rally later this month. There will be no politicians present, only young people talking about what matters to them in their lives.

The Youth Rally takes place at St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Church Street East, Hamilton, on July 26 between 7 and 10 p.m.

Mr. Spanswick is also appealing for donations to the event. Anyone who would like to help should contact him on 295-2760.“This Rally is an open forum for the youth of Bermuda only,” said Mr. Spanswick.

“They are asked to speak about the challenges facing young people in Bermuda and their future.”

A veteran activist since the 1960s, Mr. Spanswick said he was inspired to organise the Youth Rally after talking to teenagers on the Island.

“I am very concerned by what’s going on in Bermuda,” he said. “The family unit is breaking down and there’s a lot of apathy. As a lot of young people go back to school in August I decided to hold the rally at the end of this month. No politicians are allowed to come because I want young people to be able to speak with an open mind.

“I am going to have some children as moderators but it’s an open forum. People will be able to speak freely on any issue they want to talk about.

“Hopefully the Premier, Cabinet and Opposition will get then involved and will sit down and do the same thing I’m doing, by having a youth rally.

“They should have meetings with the youth of this country and hold open forums to join people together and hear what they have to say. We are going through a period right now where young people aren’t very happy with either party, as they’re all fighting amongst themselves and there’s a race issue.

“The youth are the future of the country. I’m trying to get all ages, from 14 years up, to attend the rally and am hoping for anything between 100 to 200 people.”