Photos by Milo Wilson.
An anti-asylum seeker rally, which has become a fixture of Highfield Lane, Portswood on Friday nights since early summer, was moved to Sunday afternoon, as was the counter-demonstration, organised by Southampton Stand Up To Racism (30/11/25).
The rally was moved by ‘Southampton Patriots’ in the hope of attracting larger numbers and succeeded in doing so, with around 100-150 protesters. The unity demonstration, which included a march up Portswood high street before a counter protest, also saw larger numbers, with a similar number of demonstrators.
Beginning with a short march from the Waitrose towards Highfield House Hotel, the counter protesters from Southampton’s ‘Stand Up to Racism’ led with chants of “racist hate off our streets”.
Once at the hotel they were met with the protesters from the ‘Southampton Patriots’. With the protesters on the hotel side of the road and the counter protesters on the opposite side.
Police presence was strong which kept both sides clear and allowed cars to pass. However, once the counter-demonstrators began their exit march back down Portswood high street, they were followed by some of the protesters, who were swiftly stopped by police.
The counter protesters turned off the main road, while police blocked off the road to keep both parties separate.
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