After three protests calling for Premier Ewart Brown to resign, the group The Bermudians seemed to be waiting for the dust to settle.

Three months later, they are back in full swing with a new website to amplify their call for Dr. Brown to step down.

On Saturday, the group held a 'Picnic for Change' at Astwood Park with guest speakers Larry Burchall and Pastor Maria Seaman.

However, the attendance was poor — just over 100, mostly older, mostly white people — in comparison to the hundreds that filled Parliament and Cabinet grounds for the protests earlier this summer.

Organisers Janice Battersbee and Erica Rance-Cariah both gave short speeches.

Mrs. Battersbee thanked the crowd for coming and said: "It's hard to believe that over three months ago, the people of Bermuda came together to make a stand. A stand which many have said has not happened in such a way in our history. There was a ripple in the waters that rose into a mighty rushing tide which has yet to diminish. The tide of change."

She claimed Dr. Brown's biggest contribution to Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebrations was the four Guantánamo Bay Uighurs he allowed into the Island through a secret deal struck with the US.

"Over the past three months, we have observed the lack of participation of our Premier seemingly without prior notice to the Bermudian public again during many of Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebrations. We note that his largest contribution to this year's celebrations to date has been the sneaking into our Island of four men under shady circumstances without proper consultation even within his own party, save one. Does he not trust his own Cabinet?"

Dr. Brown had similarly attempted to sneak gaming legislation through the House of Assembly, said Mrs. Battersbee who then questioned why he was still leader after receiving a "tongue lashing" from both sides of Parliament.

"A cloud of mistrust has descended on our Island which we insist must be lifted. This cloud has shrouded any inkling of transparency which was promised prior to the December 18, 2007 General Election. How can we operate any further under such circumstances? We do not wish to wait until 2010."

Dr. Brown has stated he will step down as Premier in October 2010. Mrs. Battersbee encouraged those who wanted a change to "stay on the path set before us".

She added: "Bombard your MPs, constituency chairmen, letters to the editor, talk shows, attendance rallies and speak up in your communities. Let everyone know where you stand. Let the Government know where we stand. Don't wait for the change, be the change."

Pastor Seaman said it was important that Bermudians did not feel they didn't have a voice.

"I stand here today, not anti-Premier. For I believe that the office of the Premier is an honourable one and one that is sanctioned and blessed by God. However, I most certainly am pro-good governance and therefore I believe that it is incumbent upon each of us that we desire that the leaders of our Island operate within a code of conduct which is above reproach.

"If the voice of all the people of Bermuda is not heard or not desired to be heard, then the truth becomes that the leaders of this land represent only a portion of this land. When any people's voice is shut down or shut up, one of the greatest tools of communication, and hence effective progress, in any notion is hindered and even halted. This can never be right."

l For more information on The Bermudians visit www.thebermudians.net. The group is to hold a town hall meeting on October 13 at the Cathedral from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.