A man launched a lone but nonetheless impassioned protest against the excessive cost of housing in Bermuda outside City Hall yesterday lunchtime ? much to the chagrin of the Corporation of Hamilton.

Mason Richard Brangman began by spray painting the words ?Affordable Housing? across a large paper banner before stapling it to the wooden partition surrounding the construction site of the new bus depot.

But while he was away collecting a new roll of paper, two Corporation rangers emerged from City Hall to tear the banner down and confiscate his stapler and cans of spray-paint.

Unperturbed, Mr. Brangman returned a short while later with more paint and quickly erected a new banner while shouting at passers-by to help him.

?This is God?s work,? he animatedly told .

?The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest problems here in Bermuda and a lot of our social problems could be solved if the Government found away to make it cheaper. Often parents have to work two jobs to survive, which means the kids are on the streets after school. Action is long overdue...the people are being ignored. We don?t need a new golf course, we need affordable housing.?

The protest was interrupted yet again soon after, however, as the rangers returned to rip the banner down and insist Mr. Brangman move on.

?You cannot do that ? I?m exercising my democratic rights!? Mr. Brangman shouted.

When told he was illegally defiling Corporation property and could be arrested by the Police if he carried on, Mr. Brangman said he didn?t need to make any more banners as he would be leading a protest rally at the same spot at 5 p.m.

?You got a permit for that?? asked one ranger.

?Of course I?ve got a permit ? God?s word is the only permit I need,? Mr. Brangman replied.

?Why are you stopping me? I?m not bothering any one. This protest is for your children and grandchildren. Think how they will be affected.?

Meeting with little response from the stoical rangers, Mr. Brangman then turned to pedestrians on the other side of Church Street, opposite the Washington Mall, and began repeatedly hollering: ?Affordable housing, we need affordable housing!? ? prompting a number of clearly bemused individuals to stop and stare.

Running out of steam after several minutes of shouting, Mr. Brangman then retired to the steps of City Hall to collect his belongings, where he was seen in further discussion with Corporation officials.returned to the scene at 5 p.m for the promised protest rally, but Mr. Brangman was nowhere to be seen.