Anti-Ewart Brown rally co-organiser Janice Battersbee is a lifelong Progressive Labour Party supporter. She is also black.

She has been left exasperated by Dr. Brown's dismissal of last month's demonstrations as a reflection of angry white United Bermuda Party supporters who can't cope with their loss of white privilege.

Here Mrs. Battersbee responds to the Premier's claims, which have been backed up by his supporters and were partly echoed yesterday by activists involved with the 1959 Theatre Boycott.

"I would first like to state my thanks to the Progressive Group for their stand 50 years ago that even helped to give me the democratic right to stand up for what I believe in — but I have to admit that my heart is very heavy to see that we really haven't gotten as far away from the racial divide as I thought we had during my lifetime and the public comments and claims over the past two weeks have shown this.

"Is it that unbelievable to think that there can be individuals who are willing to stand up and demand integrity within their own party and race?

"Is it automatic for certain people to believe that when a black person and white person stand together to speak that the white person is in charge and the black person is the puppet? Do we think that lowly of ourselves?

"The demonstrations of June 16, 19 and 26 were born out of the desire for good governance and nothing more.

"On that day we saw many blacks standing on sidewalks and balconies and clapping in support, although they did not come into the Cabinet grounds. However, nothing has been stated about them.

"I have been approached by many blacks who feel as I do about the quality of the leadership of our Island and desire change, but for some reason they are unwilling to stand publicly and state their feelings.

"I have, in my short lifetime, also witnessed blacks treat whites with racial disdain and hatred. Is either side right? Of course not! And our group has tried over and over again to stress that this is NOT part, in any way, of our purpose and we will not welcome that type of agenda to any of our meetings.

"But people will hear what they wish to hear and see what they wish to see.

"We would just ask that Bermuda concentrate on the issue and not get caught up on colour because it's the issue of good governance with integrity — no matter which party or what race — which is being lost in all this.

"And if anyone was not there to hear the speeches for themselves we will happily forward copies so that they can make up their own minds."