The march was organised by the Human Rights Commission and was aimed at encouraging people to make a commitment to the elimination of racism in Bermuda.

More than 3,000 leaflets were distributed by the Valiant Ministries of Bermuda last week to boycott the march because the Ministries felt that though the march was for a good cause, they disagreed with the Human Rights Commission backing homosexuality.

Hundreds were expected to join but only a small crowd gathered at Victoria Park where the march began.

However, the point was still made by the over 1,000 names that had been collected from the signing of petitions. And that was not the final count.

Mr. Anthony Pettit who was taking part in the march with his wife Majorie said: "My wife and I feel racial hatred is abhorrent to us anywhere in the world.'' When the group reached the House of Parliament the Minister of Human Affairs the Hon. Jerome Dill, Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade and a few other Parliamentarians met Canon Francis to receive the petitions.

Chairman of the Commission, the Rev. Canon James Francis, said: "On behalf of the citizens of Bermuda who are concerned about the debilitating effects of racial discrimination, in its many and varied subtle forms, we the members of the Human Rights Commission wish to present you with these signed petitions, signed by the citizens of our Island home.'' He added: "We know that in the past, Government has pledged itself to the elimination of racism and now seeks to establish a race relation committee under the new Ministry of Human Affairs.

"We are equally aware of the fact that survey after survey has indicated that our citizens, when asked what is the most pressing problem facing the Island, respond that racism and discrimination head the list.

"We are convinced that much of the unrest taking place in our Island home has its roots in systemic racism.'' Mr. Dill presented Canon Francis with a framed proclamation written by the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan proclaiming March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racism.

He said: "This kicks off our first International Day for the Elimination of Racism and it certainly won't be our last.

"I have had a great deal of positive response to the Human Affairs Commission initiative.

"There is a call by the Commission that we bring in a legislation to deal with discrimination on the basis of race and the Government is already committed to bringing in the legislation before the end of this current parliamentary session.

Mr. Dill added: "I am pleased that we are demonstrating are commitment to eradicating racism.'' Mr. Wade said: "The PLP has a sterling record of supporting human rights issues for the last 30 years.

"We have been at the forefront of trying to remove racism in Bermuda. We stand ready to support Government in any effort it makes to give the Human Rights Commission the authority, and the money to make racism illegal in Bermuda.

"I trust that this time next year no one would dare to discriminate on the basis of race as they would face the full force of the law.'' Although he had hoped for a much larger crowd, Canon Francis felt the march represented a lot of people who are tired of racism in Bermuda. "We wanted to be a ray of hope.'' Commenting on the call by the Valiant Ministries of Bermuda for a boycott against yesterday's march Canon Francis said: "My feeling is that people must be given the right to express their opinions and the boycott was an expression on the part of certain segments of the community.

"I respect the rights of people to have free expression. The Human Rights Commission has no problems with the fact that they did what they did.'' When asked why the Human Rights Commission led the march the Rev. Canon James Francis said: "The United Nations has designated March 21 of every year as the Elimination of Racism Day.

"In 1960 when peaceful demonstrators were marching in Sharpeville, South Africa, to end racism many were killed or wounded.

"The United Nations wanted to call attention to the member states that they should, on this day, take a stand and try to end racial discrimination. "We did that for three reasons.

"We wanted to join with people around the world.

"We wanted to support Government in their effort to establish a race relation committee so we deal more effectively with race relations in Bermuda.

"We want to remind community leaders of the need to erect all meaningful laws to discourage racial discrimination throughout the Island both in public and private sectors.'' petitioners who want to eliminate racial discrimination in Bermuda. Also pictured are Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ms. Renee Webb and Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade.