Thousands of people marched through the streets of Hamilton to present Government with a manifesto calling for systemic change and expressing concerns about jobs and equality.

A rally was staged in Victoria Park before the marchers headed for the House of Assembly where they were met by Premier Craig Cannonier.

Principal organiser Rev Nicholas Tweed, speaking at Victoria Park, said: “Government cannot continue implementing policies that do not have the people’s interest at heart.”

The rally appeared to represent a wide cross-section of the community. Politicians from the One Bermuda Alliance and Progressive Labour Party also mingled with the crowd.

Many of those taking part wore items of red clothing as favoured by the organisers, The People’s Campaign for Equality, Jobs and Justice. Some carried red flags, others had placards that bore the words ‘Jobs, Equality, Justice’. A slogan written on another placard read ‘Belco, grocery stores, mortgages, insurance — We took a paycut, but they still profit’.

Repeated call-and-response chanting for jobs, equality and justice were made at the rally and during the march.

The People’s Campaign For Equality, Jobs and Justice is a newly-formed pressure group calling for wholesale change in the way Government operates.

On the steps of the House of Assembly, Mr Cannonier and members of the Government met the marchers and received a copy of the group’s manifesto from Rev Tweed.

The manifesto challenges the status quo in a number of areas, including taxation, health care, and employment.

Mr Cannonier addressed the marchers but initially had to stop three times as organisers urged some in the crowd to stop heckling.

The Premier said that it was “a privilege to sit before The People’s Campaign representatives a week or two ago,” and that Government shared the same manifesto and concerns.

“On behalf of the Government we also share in ... wanting these things ASAP, and wanting these things for the people of Bermuda so that we not only survive, but continue to thrive during this time in our history.”

The manifesto was also presented to Opposition Leader Marc Bean, who said he would be analysing the recommendations, adding: “I’m glad to see that the people are awakening to the reality that instead of complaining, it’s time to cooperate and complete.

“We will do our best to ensure that the Government is held to account, to ensure that your expectations are met.”

Demands contained within the manifesto include calls for Government to establish a progressive tax system “that would structure taxation based upon levels of total income and the value of assets and holdings”; offer equal access to postsecondary education; ensure “liveable wages” commensurate with the cost of living; and allow all workers the ability to join a union or association.

Observing the march was former MP John Barritt, who said: “I think the people are on to something. Instinctively, most of us want to be treated fairly and equally, and that’s something with which all of us can agree. The hard part is having in place a system that makes it happen, and a system in which people participate and feel they have an opportunity to participate.”

He said he hoped the demonstration would get “the reform ball rolling.”

Among those who took part in the march was Shadow Economic Development Minister Wayne Furbert. When he was asked if “shared sacrifice” by employers was possible to legislate within a capitalist democracy, he said: “Capitalism and equality can work together. We’re saying there has to be some corporate responsibility. We live on a 21 square mile island, and all the people are saying is that we need to have an understanding, that people need work to survive.”

Opposition Senate leader Diallo Rabain was moved by what he called “a people-driven exercise”.

He said: “I’ve always maintained that the people of Bermuda carry the political power. We are only a representation of them. As long as the people are willing to speak out, as long as they are willing to stand up and say this is what we want our politicians to do, this is what we want our country to be about, we’re on a good path. That is the part that’s really heartwarming for me, to see the people out, across the political divide, saying: ‘This is what we, as a people, need.’”

Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy attended the rally in Victoria Park, and met with the marchers outside Parliament. When asked if the growing distrust of a Government is a sign of a flawed system, he said: “People don’t generally like politicians anyway. I think it’s dangerous when there is tremendously high expectations of Government.

“But it’s important that people as well take the opportunities that are offered. For example, out of workforce development we run a dozen different courses through and in partnership with the Bermuda College. Oftentimes we can’t run those courses unless there’s 12 people enrolled. We have funding available from workforce development, and people don’t even register for things like qualifications to become a waiter and other job categories. So there are jobs out there, but we also have to change the conversation.

“Things can’t just be given. People have to work hard to achieve their goals, and we can help people do that, but I want people to take advantage of the programmes that are on offer already.”

Senator Jeff Baron said he invites such demonstrations and will always want to hear from the people “in any capacity”.

“I think from the start of this process there’s a misunderstanding when you have folks marching on Parliament. If someone is marching, or someone wants to engage the Government in any capacity, we will speak to them on any issue. Frankly we agree with many of the points. In fact if you go through some of the points, we’ve already hit them. We’ve set up a tripartite committee, we’ve passed the Human Rights Amendment Act, which deals with age discrimination, so there are things being done.

“It’s a touchy issue. Do we want more people to be working? Absolutely. I don’t want swathes of the people in Bermuda unemployed, because when you have that, you have people making rational choices that, frankly, are sometimes unlawful. If it’s a rational choice for a 20-year-old to sell drugs, then he’s going to do that to feed his family. So of course we want people to have jobs, and that has always been our priority.”