Hundreds of local anti-racist protesters gathered in Southampton city centre to tell UKIP supporters they were not welcome in the city.
UKIP leader Nick Tenconi announced his intention to march through the city, calling for mass deportations, in December, after a Southampton pub cancelled a booking he had made where he intended to give a speech to supporters.
The anti-racist protesters gathered at the base of the Bargate, with a strong police presence standing between them and the notably smaller crowd of UKIP supporters, who were gathered in the high street.
There was something of a carnival atmosphere in the anti-racist camp, with a group with drums contributing to the sound coming from the crowd, bolstered by chants such as: ‘There are many more of us than you’ , Whose streets? Our streets’, and ‘Refugees are welcome here’.
There was a strong trade union presence at the counter-demonstration, where people were united by the desire to stand in solidarity and celebrate Southampton’s multicultural society.
Graham Henry said: “I’ve been fighting fascism in the city for 60 years. Southampton is a multicultural city and always has been. Refugees are not the problem – it’s the millionaires who are.”
Pat Turner (pictured below centre), standing with a Hampshire Unison’s retired members section banner, said: “I lived through the Second World War. I’ve seen what fascism does and I would do anything to prevent it.”
Chris O’Neill (pictured below right), chair of the Hampshire Unison retired members section added: “We’re here to show we despise people who want to introduce intolerance to our society.”
Theirs was one of many banners and flags from a huge variety of organisations, including Socialist Worker, Antifascist Action, Southampton Tenants Union, Unison, Southampton and South West Hampshire TUC, as well as some Palestinian flags, Pride flags and handmade banners, with slogans such as ‘Keep Soton tidy’, ‘Spread love not hate’, and ‘Southampton loves its multiculturalism’.
On the other side of the police cordon were Union Jacks, England flags and an Israeli flag.
Amongst the protesters at the Bargate was veteran anti-racist campaigner Jayanyi Shah (pictured below).
He said: “I’m here to say they are not welcome in our city. It’s OUR city and we are going to stand united.”
Parveen Ishfaq (pictured below) from event organisers Southampton Stand Up To Racism was amongst those rallying the crowd with a loudspeaker. She said: “Southampton stands together and leaves no room for racism. Southampton is one city, one community, united by our shared values. We want unity and peace.”
Protester James said he was there to oppose racism. He added: “Being of a minority background, my parents came here in the 60s and 70s and they had to face racism – we’re here to help get rid of it.”
Josh Kwao (pictured below) said: “I’m here because I’m opposed to the far right and everything they believe in. Their policies are not in line with local communities. They only represent their own interests.”
Jess (pictured below) added: “The far right is absolutely abhorrent. I’m a Christian and it’s the opposite of everything I believe in. It’s disgraceful that some of them are carrying crosses. All they do is make crosses for people.”
One of those with percussion instruments was Andrew Godfrey-Collins (pictured below) from Extinction Rebellion. He said it was important to show solidarity with all the groups being targeted by the far right, including refugees and LGBT+ people.
Amongst the event organisers was Victoria Ugwoeme (pictured below centre), chair of Southampton Stand Up To Racism.
She said she was there “to offer solidarity, say refugees are welcome in our city and say no to racism. They are here saying ‘free Tommy Robinson’. That’s got nothing to do with Southampton. We’re here to say everyone is welcome in Southampton. We are a city of sanctuary. They have brought people in from outside the area – from Fareham and Portsmouth. They have no presence in our city.”
She added: “I am filled with appreciation for everyone who has turned up today and the various organisations that came together to show a united front of love and support for all.
“We are standing up and saying there is no place for division through hate.”
UKIP leader Nick Tenconi (pictured below with megaphone) addressed his supporters before leading a march through the city to the cenotaph.
The anti-racism protesters then followed the same route, amid applause and waves from shoppers and those waiting on buses, which were held up due to the demonstrations.
The two groups then faced off at the cenotaph, with a strong police presence keeping the groups separated, before both then separately marched back through the city centre.
The anti-racism demonstration ended back at the Bargate, where Declan Clune, secretary of Southampton TUC made a rallying cry for people to use their trade unions to push back against racism.
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