Protesters who argue a new property law discriminates against Bermudians married to foreigners have stepped up their campaign by urging voters to back the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

In an advertisement in today's Royal Gazette, Land Opportunities for All Bermudians call for undecided people to "vote for change" in December 18's General Election — pointing out that the UBP said if elected it would repeal part of the Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2007.

Under the new law, Bermudians married to foreigners are barred from owning more than one property if the spouse is to help pay for it or benefit from it in any way, such as by living in the property or receiving rental income.

It is designed to combat loopholes and fronting — the practice of foreigners obtaining property illegally by using Bermudians as a front. However, LOAB claims the law is discriminatory.

The advert shows three children, two black and one white, under a headline: "Discrimination can look like this."

It states underneath: "Discrimination = your child falling in love with a non-Bermudian," and adds that, according to the new act, "non-Bermudians are not afforded the same rights as other Bermudians."

LOAB spokesman Ronnie Viera, who is married to a non-Bermudian, said the group placed the advert after members met Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess and concluded he was not going to change his mind over the law.

Mr. Viera said: "We have been trying to be quite diplomatic, trying to deal with things a little differently, but we feel that we need to try to get our point across a little stronger.

"The meeting we had with the Minister was enlightening. It convinced us that we wouldn't be able to change Government's mind.

"They were pretty adamant that the act as it relates to non-Bermudian spouses is needed to stop fronting, and non-Bermudian spouses was a method of fronting. It was definitely implied that there was no intention of changing the act."

The advert describes LOAB as a non-political group. Mr. Viera explained: "We have tried to be very bipartisan up till now. The fact of the matter is the UBP have publicly stated they would repeal certain aspects of the legislation. Government has passed the law and clearly stands by it.

"We are targeting anybody that's affected by the legislation. There are many. Unfortunately, I think the Government thinks only one segment of the population are affected. Government truly believe it won't affect their supporters as much as it does."

Asked about the choice of pictures, Mr. Viera said: "This is to try to demonstrate that it's not just people married to non-Bermudians affected, it's the children married to them tomorrow. Many students away at university may bring back a non-Bermudian spouse. Instead of looking at Ronnie Viera today, look at your children."

On the use of black and white children underneath the phrase "discrimination can look like this", he added: "It's to try to get people's attention. It's not meant to be controversial."

Under the law, mixed-status couple who owned more than one property before June 22, 2007, will be issued licences for them as long as they apply before June 22, 2010. However, from June 22 this year, Bermudians married to foreigners are restricted to one licence if, in a second purchase, the spouse contributes or will benefit from rent or occupation of that property.

The exception to the rule is hardship cases and those non-Bermudian spouses granted Bermudian status after ten years of marriage, for whom on approval the restriction no longer applies.

For the previous 30 years, Government policy had been to issue only one property licence to non-Bermudian husbands and wives.

Mr. Burgess says the new law is necessary to protect land resources on an island where land and housing are in short supply, with 37 percent of residential land in Bermuda already owned by non-Bermudians under licence.

The Royal Gazette faxed Mr. Burgess a copy of the advert last night, but he declined to comment.

LOAB can be contacted at loab2007[AT]gmail.com