Photo shows Southampton Stand Up to Racism Protesters standing opposite anti-asylum seeker protesters in Portswood on Wednesday.
Southampton anti-racist and community groups are holding a demonstration calling for community unity this weekend.
The demonstration is being held in response to a ‘memorial service vigil and march’ being organised by the UK Independence Party, set to gather in residential street Belmont Road, where Henry Nowak was murdered.
Both events will be taking place in Portswood, the scene of violent protest in the wake of the verdict in the trial following the murder of University of Southampton student Henry Nowak.
The community unity demonstration begins outside Waitrose in Portswood at noon.
It is backed by Southampton Stand Up To Racism, Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council, Women Against the Far Right, Southampton PSC and Shut Down Leonardo Southampton.
In a statement Southampton Stand Up To Racism said: “Southampton deserves better than inflammatory demonstrations that heighten tensions while claiming to speak for our communities.
“The family of Henry Nowak have made it clear that they do not want their son’s death to be used to create hatred, division or tension. Their wishes should be respected. Exploiting a family’s grief for political purposes dishonours Henry’s memory and risks causing further distress to those who knew and loved him.
“People are entitled to seek answers, accountability and justice following such a tragic loss of life. But there is a world of difference between seeking justice and exploiting a tragedy to inflame racial tensions and advance a far-right political agenda.
In response, Southampton Stand Up To Racism will hold a peaceful anti-racist mobilisation in Portswood, standing alongside local residents, businesses and faith communities.”
The UKIP vigil and march, which are also being promoted by Southampton Patriots, begin at noon in Belmont Road before the group plan to march to Southampton Police Station at 1.30pm.
A UKIP social media post announcing the event reads “No justice, no peace! End two-tier policing. Protect our young. Demand Justice. Release the footage.”
Southampton Patriots’ post says: “No Justice – No Peace Racist Police Off Our Streets. Justice for Henry Nowak.”
The vigil and march comes despite Henry Nowak’s father’s statement that he did not want the murder of his son to be used to divide communities.
He said: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone.”
At the time of Henry’s murder, the University of Southampton, where he was a student, opened a book of condolence for Henry, where students and staff could share tributes and memories along with messages of love and support for his friends and family. This was done with the agreement of Henry’s family, who, in contrast, have not condoned the vigils, demonstrations and marches held since the verdict in the trial of his murderer.
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