Anti-immigration protesters and counter-protesters holding a ‘Unity Demonstration’ took to the streets of Southampton on Sunday.
Estimates are that around 200-300 people gathered in Portswood, outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, to march through the city to a rally at Hoglands Park, hosted by ‘Southampton Patriots’.
Meanwhile, around 400 counter-demonstrators gathered at a separate location in Portswood, and marched through the city on the route the ‘Patriots’ demonstration had originally planned to take, to the Peace Fountain in East Andrews Park.
‘Southampton Patriots’ had been planning for the event, which was endorsed by Tommy Robinson, to be the biggest demonstration seen outside of London. Robinson and other prominent anti-immigration figures urged their followers from across the country to attend the demonstration in Southampton. A crowd funder on Go Fund Me was set up, with the aim of raising the £2,400 needed to cover costs for the day, including a stage in Hoglands Park where speakers addressed the crowd, reaching more than 95 percent of its target.
The anti-immigration demonstration saw protesters march on an alternative route to the one planned, which had been set to pass a mosque and two Gudwaras, instead taking them around the outside of Portswood, on Thomas Lewis Way, after Hampshire Constabulary intervened. One man was arrested for throwing a bottle at the protesters from a bridge over Thomas Lewis Way.
The ‘Patriots’ carried Union Jacks, St George Cross flags and signs with slogans such as ‘rapefugees not welcome’. They chanted ‘whose streets – our streets’, ‘Oh Tommy Robinson’, and criticisms of Kier Starmer.
Whilst the anti-immigration protesters were gathering in Highfield Lane, local people calling for unity were gathering for a counter-demonstration outside Waitrose in Portswood.
Numbers grew to around 400 for the demonstration, organised by Southampton Stand Up To Racism and backed by local union branches, councillors, faith groups and community groups.
The event started with a speech calling for unity, with the crowd shouting “everyone is welcome here”, a chant which featured throughout the march.
Speakers talked about the power of community and a strong community spirit was seen on the march down Portswood Road and Bevois Valley, with shopkeepers coming out from their business to cheer and wave to the counter-demonstrators.
Charlotte Ndupuechi, a parent and tutor, from Southampton, who took part in the counter-demo, said: “I felt it was important to attend today to make people feel safe on the streets. Cheering ‘everyone is welcome here’ felt like the biggest message coming from the crowd. Demonising people on small boats won’t fix the problems facing this country.
“Division and hatred will only build more issues. It was so amazing to see so many people out, choosing hope over hate.”
John Jess, a retired painter and decorator from Southampton said: “It’s a wonderful, enthusiastic crowd and the pleasure to be amongst them restores your faith in humanity.”
Lucy Watson, a Southampton parent and university lecturer, said: “I came to the counter-protest because there are many people in Southampton working hard for their communities, whether that’s feeding people, providing activities for kids, free advice for vulnerable people, or support for refugees. That’s actually what goes on here. These so-called ‘patriots’ don’t represent our city. They don’t contribute anything but hate.
“If they put half as much energy into actually helping the community instead of strapping flags all over the place, and shouting racist abuse, we’d all be a lot better off.”
Elwyn Edwards, a retired university lecturer and local artist, said: “The reason I joined the counter demonstration today was that I feel that we have to stand up to the divisive undercurrents in society which seem to be encouraged at the moment.”
Jayanti Shah, MBE, of Southampton Stand Up To Racism, said: “In Southampton we have a 1930s’ determination to oppose fascists. Not only did we succeed in getting the authorities to reroute the march, the local community claimed and protected the original route, and marched down it to the Peace Fountain.
“In spite of their supporters putting out a national call promising thousands, far fewer turned up on the day, and we outnumbered them again.”
Parveen Isfaq, of Southampton Stand Up to Racism, said: “One for all and all for one – a city where people of all faiths, all cultures and all backgrounds belong. We have always chosen peace over hate, love over division and unity over fear.
“This is our city, our home, the home of our parents and grandparents and the future of our children. We are here to protect our families, our neighbours and our community – for everyone who calls Southampton home. This is about ensuring that refugees, Muslims and all minority communities feel safe, valued and respected.
“Southampton remains a city that is inclusive, peaceful, and united.
“A city that stands as a beacon of hope, love and solidarity for all.”
The Unity Demonstration ended symbolically at the Peace Fountain in East Andrews Park, where speakers addressed the crowd and Muslim Neighbours handed out more that 400 portions of food and water to those gathered.
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