Ahead of an anticipated further anti-asylum seeker protest and community unity demonstration tomorrow (3/4/26), Superintendent Alex Charge, District Commander for Southampton police, has made a statement on the ongoing demonstrations, which have been taking place since early summer last year. In a statement posted today (2/4/26) on social media,...
Articles with the Tag asylum seeker
Opinion: I didn’t want to join unity demonstration but I’m glad I did and I would again
By Portswood Protester. These days it seems I’m always cross. Cross about something, or someone or the general state of the world. On Sunday I was particularly cross that I had to go along to the counter-protest in Portswood (1/3/26). There are other things that I needed to be...
Anti-racist group form new women’s section and are back on a counter demonstration on Friday
Following their AGM on Monday, Southampton Stand Up To Racism announced that they will be launching a new group: Southampton Women Against The Far Right. In a statement on social media, they said that the group would be “part of a wider national initiative set up by Stand Up...
Despite low turn out of anti-asylum seeker protesters in Portswood on Friday, group set to return on Sunday
Anti-asylum seeker protesters have been back on the streets of Portswood, Southampton, with dwindling numbers since the beginning of the new year. But what they lack in actual people on the street they seem to be trying to make up for with the frequency of which they are gathering...
Urgent ‘defend refugees rally’ this afternoon in Portswood
Southampton Stand Up To Racism have called an urgent rally to defend refugees in Portswood, Southampton, this afternoon. The group are encouraging people to gather at 3.45pm at the bus stop near Waitrose, Portswood, saying ‘please join us in unity’. In a post on social media, they say: “please...
Reader’s letter: Fantastic local charity SCRATCH relies on volunteers from asylum seeker community
By Cllr John Savage. I spent this morning at SCRATCH – Southampton City and Region Action To Combat Hardship. This is a brilliant local charity. I had a tour of the warehouse and logistics set up and was introduced to the staff and volunteers who do so much provide...
Opinion: Is it time for a Ukrainian-style policy for refugees?
By Charlotte Ndupuechi. When Ukrainian families arrived in Britain in 2022, the government showed what it can do when it chooses compassion. Visas were fast-tracked, red tape was cut, and people were allowed to work and study from the day they arrived. Councils received funding to prioritise school places,...
Reader’s letter: Look what we can achieve when we unite – let’s keep up the momentum
By Adnan Chaudy, Southampton Stand Up To Racism. When Southampton stands together, we show what real community looks like. Last month, hundreds of local people — proud, diverse, and united — took to the streets for our Unity Demonstration against the far-right rally, which had been billed by its...
Anti-asylum seeker protest and unity counter demonstration changed to Thursday this week
Following Sunday’s all-out anti-asylum seeker march through Southampton, organised by ‘Southampton Patriots’ and large ‘Unity Demonstration’ counter-demo, organised by Southampton Stand Up To Racism, alongside local faith, community and trade union groups, the weekly protests and counter protests outside a Portswood hotel continue this week, taking place tonight (30th...
Southampton Refugee Week celebrates community and culture this month
Southampton is gearing up for Refugee Week, which runs from June 15 to 21. This year, the week is celebrating ‘community as a superpower’. Southampton and Winchester. Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group, which works with refugees and asylum seekers, is hosting a week of free events, to which all...