66th Anniversary Of Bermuda’s Theatre Boycott
A commemoration to mark the 66th anniversary of the success of the 1959 Theatre Boycott will be held on Wednesday [July 2].
A spokesperson said, “Marking the 66th anniversary of the success of the Theatre Boycott on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This quote from Martin Luther King captures the reality of our interconnected human family.
“On the evening of June 26, 1959, after 10 days of the peaceful theatre boycott, the grapevine was buzzing with great news. That Friday afternoon, many hotel workers were informed by managers that segregation in the front of the house was ended.
“This historic news was confirmed in Monday, June 29, 1959 with media reports quoting the Bermuda Hotel Owner’s Association. Theatre owners immediately followed suit.
“Those engaged in that peoples’ success in 1959 – like those in the year-long Montgomery bus boycott – had precedents in the 1955 grassroots action in far away South Africa.
“In more challenging circumstances, four years earlier – June 26, 1955 – 3,000 diverse South Africans came together for many hours and democratically fashioned an iconic document. That people’s congress named their document the Freedom Charter.
“Before concluding, scores of South African police attacked the gathering, arresting many activists, and 156 of them were prosecuted in the infamous Treason Trial.
“Global solidarity has led to successfully ending slavery and challenging segregation/apartheid and other manifestations of inequality around the planet.
“July 2, 2025 will mark the 66th anniversary of the success of the Theatre Boycott. On July 2, 1959 all Bermudians could freely choose their seats in cinemas, affirming their essential humanity. After 350 years, this people’s movement opened Bermuda, creating a paradigm shift and that domino effect eventually led to democracy for all.
“Employing the theme ‘Open Hearts and Open Minds,’ we are leveraging this legacy to promote awareness to benefit ourselves personally, communally, and enhance global perspectives. Reminded to open hearts, we especially focus on those most challenged, such as those in Gaza who have been suffering apartheid for decades.
“We will be celebrating this 66th anniversary in two ways.
“There will be an interactive gathering at Cathedral Hall on Wednesday, July 2nd between 12.30pm and 1.30pm on the theme. Those attending will break out into smaller groups to facilitate participation and are encouraged to share insights from both personal experience and communal involvement.
“At Habour Nights on July 2nd, a short, entertaining skit highlighting the legacy of the boycott and leveraging the theme will occur between 7.00pm and 7.40pm.”
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