A number of local community and anti-racist groups will be coming together for a counter rally in Southampton on Sunday, August 17th.
Groups including Southampton Stand Up to Racism and Southampton Action are calling for local people to join the counter demonstration, being held in response to a planned anti-migration march set to take place in Portswood, targeting asylum accommodation and the local migrant community.
Anti-migrant rallies and counter protests have taken place over recent weeks outside Highfield House Hotel.
Southampton Action, which supports refugees and asylum seekers in the city and beyond, drew attention to misunderstandings about the residents of the accommodation.
In a social media statement, they said: “For the last three Fridays, the men in the asylum accommodation have been targeted by protesters who claimed they have “everything”. The same protesters are planning on attending every week – and are even planning a march and rally next weekend to make it clear that they aren’t welcome here.
We do not agree with them at all.
The men in the asylum accommodation receive less than £10 a week to live on and purchase everything they need – phone credit, transport, clothes, shoes.
No one can afford to live like that.
We are trying to make sure that they all have access to basic essentials such as trainers and a pack of pants, things that will give them back a little dignity and let them know they are welcome here.”
For more information about the counter protest, visit facebook.com/southamptonaction and facebook.com/SouthamptonSUTR
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