The Bermuda Football Association joins the community in deploring the recent senseless and cowardly acts of violence which continues to destroy our community. These acts of violence, the random shooting at one of our sports clubs and the Good Friday killing on one of our school fields must send a huge signal that the decline in our social conscience is decaying at an alarming rate.
For decades, Bermuda was known for its strength in community, its values in looking out for one another, in celebration of achievements and joy in camaraderie and fellowship. Today, we are becoming paralyzed by the uncertainty that the increasing spread of violence inflicting on our community.
Two very important activities on Bermuda’s cultural calendar have been marred by violence: The family values demonstrated each year during Good Friday and Easter and the end of season community celebrations that go along with one club winning the Premier Division League. Both shootings have pierced the heart of both families; the family of Kimwandae Walker and the family of the Bermuda Football Association and one its members namely the Western Stars Sports Club, home of the Dandy Town Hornets.
These shooting incidents should cause great concern to all residents of Bermuda because (i) they have taken place at venues where young people should feel safe and (ii) parents and guardians have always taken their children to both venues. These incidents have challenged their decisions to do so in the future.
As a country we can’t allow this to destroy our comfort levels. We have previously stated that the time has come for real and meaningful intervention from all stakeholders who (i) have a vested interest to ensure social stability in Bermuda and (ii) care about the future direction and prosperity of Bermuda in all sectors of our community. That time has passed and for those who think these violent acts and other social challenges don’t impact upon their lives then we say “wake up!”
We join the chorus of calls to parents, community groups, religious groups, Government agencies, area MP’s, social commentators, family members, friends, in particular, those involved in any form of anti-social behavior that what is taking place throughout the Island is damaging Bermuda and that it must stop before we plummet into the depths of social chaos and community unrest. We all have a collective role to play in this process of eradicating this social-ill. But we must also realize that human life, every human life is a gift to the World that we must treasure and protect at all cost.
We send our condolences to the family of Kimwandae Walker and pray that the young children who witnessed the incident find comfort in knowing the community is concerned for their well-being. We wish for a speedy recovery to the victims of the shooting at Western Stars Sports Club. To the community, we pray our collective “will” brings about a positive change to the negative state impacting our Island.
Executive Council of the Bermuda Football Association
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