backlash from Bermuda's Jamaican community.

Outraged residents vowed to avenge any attempt to harm their controversial countryman.

Said one woman: "If anything happens to him here there will be a terrible disaster.

"I should say Jamaicans would retaliate. If they don't do it here they would do it to Bermudians if they go there.'' Another woman threatened: "If we retaliate it won't be with sticks and stones.

"We are not going to allow Buju to return to Jamaica with anything worse than the common cold.

"If anyone harms a hair on his head there will be trouble.'' The Jamaicans identified themselves to The Royal Gazette but asked not to be named.

Several Bermudians yesterday also backed the "don't harm Buju'' counter offensive.

They pledged swift vengeance against any gay people who threaten the award-winning 19-year-old star.

"If any gay people act up, they will get beaten up with baseball bats,'' one man said.

He did not wish to be named because he is in the Bermuda Regiment.

Mr. Chauncey Smith said: "I feel homosexuality is an abomination to mankind.

"If they do want to make homosexuality legal they should also make murder, rape, sexual harassment and child molesting legal.'' He added: "Gays have a right to demonstrate at the field, but they better not attack Buju Banton.'' Controversy over Banton centres on his hit song "Boom Bye Bye'' which calls for the slaying of homosexuals.

Banton claims to have been surprised by the outrage provoked by the track which he penned as a 17-year-old.

Gay activists, however, have roundly condemned the singer, some anonymously ringing The Royal Gazette with death threats.

Last week the Bermuda Human Rights Alliance -- which represents the gay community -- furiously lobbied Government to bar him from Bermuda.

But Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman refused, arguing a ban would fly in the face of freedom of speech.

The furore has certainly stoked up interest in his show tonight at St. David's cricket field.

And it has sparked speculation some of the controversy may have been deliberately whipped up as a media hype.

Nevertheless it is unlikely Banton will sing "Boom Bye Bye'' when he climbs the stage tonight. He has not been performing the song recently.

And Mr. Donovan Germaine, owner of Banton's record company/management firm, has ruled out a performance.

"He's definitely not going to do the song. It's not been in his set for the last year and a half.'' Yesterday Jamaicans living here argued Banton was entitled to freedom of speech.

One 50-year-old woman said: "Everyone has a right to make a statement, whether he said it or not.

"People make statements about a whole range of different things. I don't think people should lose their life because they make a statement.'' She added: "I just hope nothing happens to Buju because if they can really do something like that, Jamaicans are known to be very vicious.''