By Sally Churchward.
Amid growing racist violence across the country, Southampton communities are standing together against hate.
On Wednesday evening, a demonstration organised by Hampshire Antifascists will be held in the city centre, leaving from the Peace Fountain at 7pm. This will be a counter-demonstration to planned demonstrations at immigration solicitors offices and advice agencies across the country, including in Southampton, that have been widely shared on social media.
There are concerns that violence could ensue and in a social media post, Hampshire Antifascists have urged people to ‘protect their safety above all else’ and stay away from the area if they feel unsafe.
Meanwhile, Southampton Action, which works to support refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups in Southampton and beyond by collecting donations for distribution to those in the local area, Calais and further afield and providing practical assistance to refugees, issued the following statement on Monday evening (5/8/24).
“We condemn the actions of those across the UK who are targeting those seeking sanctuary or are targeting people based on their religion and race. These actions are violent, racist and Islamophobic and we should not be afraid to label them as such.
“We will continue to work with the communities we are supporting and friends and partners across the city to make sure Southampton remains a welcoming City of Sanctuary and place that we are all proud to call our home.
There is no room in our community for hatred.”
Satvir Kaur, the former leader of Southampton City Council and new MP for Southampton Test also issued a statement on Sunday via social media, in response to a statement made by Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.
“I purposely won’t be sharing Hampshire PCC’s divisive and inflammatory statement regarding the recent hate riots we’ve seen nationally.
It has angered and upset many, leaving many communities I represent (and supposedly she) feeling unsafe.
It’s a privilege to hold office, words matter.”
The Southampton Labour Councillors Facebook page shared Ms Kaur’s statement, saying:
“Satvir is right, the words we say, and the platforms we have to share them, do matter.
The thugs responsible for the arson, violence and looting that we have seen across the country and those people deliberately spreading misinformation online don’t represent our country.”
The page’s profile image has been updated with the words “Southampton Love Not Hate”.
While on Monday, the current leader of Southampton City Council, Lorna Fielker released the following statement:
“Southampton has a long history of welcoming people from around the world and for being a City of Sanctuary. We reconfirmed that status last week.
“I am disappointed that there is a demonstration scheduled to happen in Southampton and we will work with the police to ensure that the event is peaceful. However, there is disinformation being shared on social media, with the clear intention to incite hate and increase tensions in local communities.
“This false and damaging information can spread quickly encouraging people to jump on a band wagon being peddled by right-wing racists elsewhere in the country.
“We will continue to monitor the situation. However, anyone seeking to come to Southampton to whip up criminal, violent or antisocial behaviour is not welcome.”
Members of the local community will be coming together for an online meeting on Tuesday evening, organised by Southampton Stand Up To Racism, Southampton People’s Assembly and Unite Community Southampton, to discuss building a movement to oppose far-right hatred by uniting and mobilising the anti-racist majority in Southampton.
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