Positive energy ‘palpable’ at youth antiviolence event
Campaigns by teenagers at five schools focused on spreading antiviolence messages were commended today in Parliament.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, told the House of Assembly about “an inspiring event” that took place at Pier 6 on June 10, when students made presentations of their work to the public.
“Truth Be Told: Youth Rise Against the Violence”,hosted by the national security ministry, was attended by Cabinet members, permanent secretaries, schoolteachers, pupils and parents.
It was the culmination of several weeks of work completed by the students.
The minister said: “The positive energy throughout the building was palpable and captivating, particularly because of the authenticity and profoundness of the teenage presenters.
“It was a moment of truth, courage and transformation. It marked a major inflection point in our national conversation about violence, one led convincingly by our young people.
“The event’s purpose was clear — to create a meaningful platform for Bermuda’s youth to express their voices authentically on the harsh realities they encounter.”
The event formed part of the Government's broader National Violence Reduction Strategy, specifically, its Stop the Violence Campaign, which aims to confront the root causes of violence through awareness, education and direct community engagement.
Mr Weeks said the students, who attend CedarBridge Academy, the Bermuda Institute, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, The Berkeley Institute and Success Academy, “boldly” chose to be active participants and leaders in the critical conversation.
Each of the schools created original media campaigns exploring some of the island’s most challenging social issues.
Topics included snitch culture, mental health, youth stabbings, the ripple effect of violence and gang recruitment.
• Snitch Culture — Bermuda Institute’s campaign, “Unlocked”, bravely tackled the harmful silence that allows gang violence to persist, emphasising that real strength lies in protecting a community through speaking out when something related to a violent incident is known. Students poignantly told the audience that “we can’t heal unless people tell the truth” and that “silence has not made us safer”
• Mental Health — CedarBridge Academy’s campaign, “The War Within”, explored the connection between violence and mental and emotional trauma, highlighting the necessity of acknowledging pain and promoting emotional healing and wellbeing. Pupils urged others to “talk before it turns toxic” and that “violence is a scream for help”
• Youth Stabbings — The Berkeley Institute's “One Knife, One Moment, One Chance” campaign exposed the brutal consequences of carrying weapons, urging young people to choose life-affirming paths over impulsive actions. Students told the audience that they had “seen things they should not have had to see” and asked the profound and provocative question “what does the future look like if we do nothing?” Part of their slogan was “a sharp choice of peace”, a pun for knife-related violence in the community
• The Ripple Effect of Violence — Mount Saint Agnes Academy’s campaign, “The Aftershock”, portrayed how acts of violence deeply impact and hurt families, schools and entire communities, calling on everyone to help break the cycle. Pupils affirmed that violence was not just a public-school problem and that it was indeed an “everybody” problem, and stated that violence on the island is not the Bermuda they deserve
• Gang Recruitment — Success Academy, through its campaign “Still I Rise”, explored why young people feel drawn towards gang affiliation, urging understanding and systemic change to effectively address the root causes of this problem. During this presentation, students reminded others that the “youth do not just speak, they carry voices” and that the island’s young people need “more consistent father figures”
The campaigns were created alongside videographers and artists including Ra’ees Tankard, Dion Greene, Marq Rodriguez, Kyle Hamilton and Jayde Gibbons.
Mr Weeks described the campaigns as “raw, moving and unforgettable”.
“They offered a mirror to our society, challenging us to reflect deeply on the state of our community and our collective responsibility for change,” he said.
“Each student who took part demonstrated immense courage and leadership by being a part of this project.
“They turned their pain into power, their experiences into messages and their voices into catalysts for lasting change.”
Some of the pupils were awarded the Voice of Change Award, celebrating people who “bravely and authentically raised their voices” to address difficult truths about community violence.
The recipients were Giana Romeo of Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Jayden Belboda-Ravenau of The Berkeley Institute and Ceszinee Cox of The Berkeley Institute.
There was also a Creative Vision Award recognising students who showed exceptional creativity, originality and artistic leadership.
The recipients were Jayce Fough of The Berkeley Institute, Kamaya Lynch-Wade of Mount Saint Agnes Academy and Kacia Barnett of The Bermuda Institute.
The Berkeley Institute earned the Impact in Action Award for the school campaign judged to have the greatest potential to “inspire real-world change” in Bermuda. The campaign was titled “One Knife, One Moment, One Chance”.
Mr Weeks congratulated the winners and all the students who participated.
He also thanked the educators at the schools along with members of the Gang Violence Reduction Team, led by Bishop Leroy Bean, including Darren Woods, Bishop Lynn Landy and Cadre Smith.
“Their guidance and tireless work provided the safe space these students needed to flourish during this project,” Mr Weeks added.
He also highlighted the work of panellists at the event who were Gavin Smith, Deneca Zuill, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Lamb and Kristin White.
The campaigns are to be shared with the public on social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram @stoptheviolencebda, and the dedicated website www.stoptheviolencebda.com.
Mr Weeks said the Government will co-develop five advisory lessons focused on the campaign themes.
He added: “By embedding ”Truth Be Told“ into classrooms, we are ensuring that the movement lives on through meaningful dialogue, youth leadership and lasting cultural change.
“These campaigns mark the beginning of an ongoing, youth-led movement that will continue to grow, educate and transform the culture of silence into one of courage, truth and healing.
“Bermuda’s young people have spoken clearly — the violence impacting their lives is not theirs alone to solve, it is ours collectively."
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