By Southampton resident (details supplied). I first became aware that there were weekly protests outside an asylum seekers’ hotel in Portswood when I saw people gathering outside Highfield House Hotel, protesting against people seeking refuge here. Other people were turning up to counter-protest. I have lived in the area...
Articles with the Tag asylum seeker
Anti-asylum seeker protests and anti-racism counter demonstrations return to Southampton on Friday
Anti-racism demonstrators will be back on the streets of Southampton on Friday evening, in response to anti-asylum seeker protests resuming outside a city hotel. After a break of some months, ‘Southampton Patriots’ are set to resume their once-weekly protests outside Highfield House Hotel, which houses asylum seekers, placed there...
Opinion: Southampton’s tradition of welcome is something to be proud of
By Nikki Walters, Chair, Southampton Action. This month marks 75 years since the United Nations adopted the Refugee Convention – a promise that people forced to flee war, persecution and violence would be offered protection, dignity and hope. Seventy-five years later, that promise is as important as ever. Southampton...
Southampton police issue a statement about ongoing anti-asylum seeker demonstrations and counter protests
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,...
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,...