Anti-racism campaigners are calling for a mass community mobilisation in Southampton for a ‘Southampton Takes a Stand’ counter demonstration next month.
The march is being organised by local group Southampton Stand Up to Racism, and backed by Women Against the Far Right and Unite Community Southampton Area, who say the aim of the counter-demonstration is to bring people together ‘against racism, intimidation and division.’
The counter-demonstration, which will take place on Saturday, October 3rd, is a response to anti-asylum seeker networks from across the south coast, including groups from Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Southampton, being set to hold a protest and march in the city, beginning at Town Quay, on the same day.
In a statement SSUTR said: “We know that solidarity works. On 12 September, Portsmouth showed what happens when communities refuse to be intimidated. Anti-racist campaigners, trade unionists and local residents stood together in a strong, disciplined mobilisation. While the far right arrived in large numbers, they did not succeed in claiming Portsmouth as their own.
“This counter-demonstration comes amid increasingly dangerous rhetoric and actions across the region. In Eastney, activists linked to Patriot Platform and other far-right groups targeted the RNLI with a campaign of intimidation so serious that the local lifeboat station was forced to close temporarily.
“Yet following this relentless backlash against lifesavers, support and donations to the RNLI surged, demonstrating that compassion and solidarity run far deeper than hatred.
“Southampton is a proud, multicultural city. We will not allow anyone to intimidate our communities or sow division between neighbours.”
They added: “We are calling on people from every background to join us at the Bargate. Bring your banners. Bring your voices. Bring your solidarity.”
The Southampton Takes a Stand counter-demonstration will begin at 12.30pm at The Bargate.
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