A pressure group formed to fight a new housing law which penalises Bermudians married to foreigners will hold its first meeting later this month.

Two expert lawyers will speak at the event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22 at the Chamber of Commerce.

The group was launched by Ronnie Viera in protest at the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2007, which became law in June.

It requires Bermudians and their expatriate spouses to obtain permission to buy property and restricts the number of homes they can own to one, so long as the foreign partner does not have Bermudian status.

Mr. Viera, who is married to a Canadian, has set up a group dedicated to getting the law changed on the social networking internet site Facebook.

It has attracted comments on its discussion board from Islanders angered by the legislation.

Diane Bissell wrote: "This law is in direct contravention to the Human Rights Act as it discriminates based on marital status."

The description for the group reads: "The effect of this law, is that BERMUDIANS and their families are disadvantaged when compared to the Bermudian married to another Bermudian.

"The law is unnecessarily harsh and discriminatory."

Mr. Viera said this week that the two conveyancing lawyers would explain key aspects of the Act at the meeting and discuss guidelines being produced by the Department of Immigration.

"Given the expected high turnout, they cannot give advice on specific situations," he said.

Anyone interested in joining the group and/or being on its steering committee can email Mr. Viera at bermudian2007@hotmail.com.