The heavy police presence in Southampton city centre yesterday told of concerns over an anti-asylum seeker demonstration which was set to unite ‘patriot’ groups from Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth – along with a counter-demo.
However, ultimately there was little disruption to shopping expeditions to the city with around 150-160 mustered from right wing groups across the south coast to take part in the protest.
The anti-asylum seeker protesters gathered at Town Quay, opposite the Isle of Wight ferry terminal, where they shouted ‘deport, deport, deport,’ before marching up the High Street, through Above Bar and onto the city’s Crown Court, where they gathered on the steps to address their troops.
Meanwhile, around 120-130 counter-demonstrators from Southampton Stand Up To Racism and other local groups gathered at the city’s Bargate, before marching through Above Bar to the Guildhall.
The anti-asylum protesters had the energy of a rowdy football crowd, with chants of ‘England till I die’ and ‘deport, deport, deport the f**king lot’.
Bemused shoppers paused from buying fruit, veg and other goods at the weekend market, which displays flags of a variety of nations, as the group of largely men, wearing and/or carrying Union Jacks marched past, loudly chanting ‘never trust a lefty with your kids’ – a popular refrain at such gatherings, albeit one that makes no sense in the context of actual child abuse statistics and has no relevance to the core aim of ‘stop the boats, send them home’ which was also chanted.
The group attempted to recruit bemused onlookers, calling out invitations through a loud speaker and handing out small Union Jack flags to passing children – or trying to. Many hurried past without taking them.
Meanwhile a police officer broke away from marshalling the parade to check on the welfare of a confused-looking trio of young black men whose afternoon coffee at one of the Above Bar cafes was interrupted by the noisy march going past. The concern in her voice was genuine and she seemed apologetic for what they were witnessing.
The police kept the protesters and counter-demonstrators well apart – aided by the market stalls – and whilst both groups followed largely the same route, they were never in real yelling distance of one another.
Southampton Stand Up To Racism advertised the counter-demo as ‘Southampton united against fascism and racism’.
The slightly smaller group marched through Above Bar and beyond around 10 minutes after the march made up of various ‘Patriots’ groups had passed.
They made a quieter and more peaceful procession, with chants including ‘this is what community looks like’ and ‘stop the hate, stop the fear, refugees are welcome here’.
The ‘Patriots’ marched to Southampton Crown Court, addressing their own crowd with talk of ‘invasion’ and more singing of ‘England till I die’, whilst the counter-demonstrators on the steps to Southampton Guildhall addressed their marchers with talk of the importance of unity.
Elsewhere in the city another march, or more of a group walk, took place – a group of around 20 ‘furries’ on an outing through the city parks, happily posing for photographs from passers by and returning children’s held up hands for high-fives, rewarded with shrieks of delight.
It was a welcome reminder that Southampton has long been and remains a diverse community, enriched by its differences which, when celebrated, can bring joy to all.
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