By Rachel Jones.
Southampton is a city built on the movement of people. From the docks that launched the Titanic to the cruise liners that still connect us to the world, we have always been a place shaped by travel, trade, and migration. Generations of families have arrived here from all over the globe – from the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia – and in doing so, they have helped create the vibrant, multicultural city we know today.
It is no accident, then, that Southampton declared itself a City of Sanctuary. This wasn’t just a gesture, but a recognition of who we are at our core: a community that welcomes people in times of need. Our libraries, schools, and universities have all embraced this commitment. Libraries offer safe spaces for new arrivals to learn English and find community. Solent University and the University of Southampton both provide sanctuary scholarships, opening up education and opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded. Local charities such as CLEAR and the Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group have been walking alongside refugees for years, offering practical help and human solidarity.
This is the best of Southampton. But it is a vision under threat.
The recent far-right protests outside a local hotel housing refugees show the darker currents that can surface in difficult times. These demonstrations do not represent the true character of Southampton. They are driven by fear and misinformation, attempting to pit neighbour against neighbour. The anger directed at refugees – people who have fled war, persecution, and violence – is misplaced. Instead of solidarity, the far right offers only scapegoating and division. And if left unchecked, this hostility risks sowing political and racial tensions that could scar our community.
We need to remember who these refugees are. They are not an abstract “issue” but people. Mothers and fathers seeking safety for their children. Young people who have made dangerous journeys simply to study and rebuild their lives. Skilled workers who want to contribute, and artists, musicians, and cooks who bring new flavours and traditions into our shared culture. Walk through Shirley, Portswood, or St. Mary’s, and you’ll already see how Southampton’s international community enriches daily life: restaurants serving food from across the globe, music blending cultures, festivals that celebrate diversity. Refugees are part of this living, breathing city.
And this is not new. Southampton has a proud record of opening its doors in times of crisis. In the 1970s, when Idi Amin expelled the Ugandan Asian community, Southampton welcomed families fleeing persecution and helped them rebuild their lives. Many went on to start businesses, contribute to the local economy, and become deeply woven into the city’s fabric. In the 1990s, when conflict ravaged the Balkans, Kosovar refugees were resettled here, once again finding safety on our shores. More recently, after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Southampton quickly opened its doors to those fleeing the war. The city welcomed Ukrainian refugees through community sponsorships, local host families, and council support. Charities, faith groups, and volunteers came together to provide housing, language classes, and practical help, creating a strong network of compassion and solidarity. These moments are part of Southampton’s history – reminders that the act of sanctuary is not a passing ideal but a recurring truth of who we are.
The truth is simple: Southampton is stronger because of its diversity. The far right would have us believe that sanctuary is a weakness. But hospitality is not weakness – it is courage. It is resilience. It is the recognition that humanity binds us more deeply than fear divides us. Southampton has always been outward-looking, proud of its connections to the wider world. To turn inward now, to give in to hostility, would be to betray our own history and identity.
And this is why those of us who reject hate must also reject silence. When the far right takes to the streets, their voices sound louder than they truly are – unless we answer back. Counter-protests matter because they show refugees and asylum seekers that they are welcome here. They remind our neighbours that Southampton will not be defined by bigotry. And they tell extremists that this city is not theirs to claim. Standing shoulder to shoulder at a counter-protest is not just symbolic – it is a practical act of solidarity that can shift the balance of public debate. If we want Southampton’s identity as a City of Sanctuary to endure, we must be prepared to defend it, visibly and vocally.
The voices of hate and exclusion must not dominate this debate. Southampton’s identity as a City of Sanctuary belongs to all of us, and it is something worth defending. We should stand up proudly for compassion, justice, and welcome – not only because it is morally right, but because it is who we are.
Because in the end, the measure of our city is not how loudly it shouts, but how warmly it welcomes. Southampton has always opened its doors to the world. Let us make sure that door stays open for those who need it most today.
- For several weeks, there have been anti-immigration protests outside Highfield House Hotel on Friday afternoons, and counter-protests by local people, anti-racist and refugee support groups. For more information about this week’s counter-demonstration, visit the Southampton Stand Up to Racism Facebook page.
- Main image by Mike Daish.
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