By Sally Churchward.
“I am a migrant who has lived here for 20 years. I haven’t been able to leave my house or let my children out since this started and it’s making me a nervous wreck.”
“I support older people and now they’re talking about racism – I’m being asked if it’s safe to go out (in Southampton) tomorrow.”
“This is terrorising behaviour and I would hope MPs would refer to it as terrorism. If it was a person of colour, if it was me, that’s how I would be referred to.”
“We mustn’t be backward about calling these people fascists. This is bareface fascism.”
These were some of the opinions voiced during a special online meeting, organised by Southampton Stand Up To Racism, on Tuesday evening (6/8/24).
Its purpose was to discuss building a movement to oppose far-right hatred that has been seen across the country by uniting and mobilising the anti-racist majority in Southampton.
The meeting came ahead of an advertised far-right gathering in the city on Wednesday evening (7/8/24), which many fear will become a violent riot.
Indeed, such is the concern about it that many business and charities in the city are closing early or not even opening on the day, in order to protect their staff, patrons and service users.
The strength of feeling about the importance in standing up against racism, fascism and hatred was indicated by the number of people on the call, which maxed out the server at around 100 participants, with many latecomers unable to gain access to the meeting on Tuesday evening.
Much of the discussion was around a counter-protest planned by a number of groups, including anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations, set to begin with people gathering at 7pm at the Peace Fountain in Southampton city centre’s East Park, before potentially marching through the city.
Veteran anti-racism campaigner, Jayanti Shah, MBE, stressed the importance of people attending the counter demonstration.
“We have the numbers and by turning out in numbers we can defeat the racists,” he said.
“We can win by sheer number of people,” he continued.
“We have more people. They are there to terrorise people.
“I’ve not been so angry since the days of the National Front. I’m really angry at how non-white people are feeling today.”
A number of people on the call shared their recent personal experiences of racist attacks on the city’s streets.
Others drew attention to the poor economic conditions that people have been experiencing in the UK alongside anti-migrant rhetoric and stressed the importance of workers not allowing themselves to be divided by the ‘poison of racism’.
There were calls by many to be aware of the language being used to describe those perpetrating racist violence, with many criticising the use of terms such as thugs and calling for them to be referred to as terrorists and fascists.
Helen Field, chair of Unite Community, said of those who tried to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers: “They are attempting murder – it’s fascism.”
Geoff Cooper, who was the Liberal Democrat candidate for Romsey and Southampton North at the recent general election said: “I am emboldened and proud to see everyone who is coming here to stand up to these racist fascist terrorists.”
Another speaker said: “People are terrorising communities based on the colour of their skin and their faith.
“It’s terrorism – that’s what these organised criminals and groups need to be described as.”
While many urged people to join the anti-racist, anti-fascist protest tomorrow night, it was also acknowledged that there was the possibility of clashes with those on the far right who may come to the city with the intention of being violent, and that for some who want to attend, it may feel too unsafe.
It was also acknowledged that the Saints vs Lazio football match on Wednesday evening could contribute to potential trouble.
Cllr Christie Lambert said: “I come here as a fellow migrant, worried about other migrants in my community…when people are afraid to walk out of their front doors, that’s domestic terrorism.”
She acknowledged that some may not feel safe joining the counter-demonstration on Wednesday evening and urged people to “fight racism and terrorism all day, every day,” from calling out racist comments at work to confronting hate speech online and reporting it to the police.
“If you’re not comfortable showing up at a demonstration, do what you can,” she added.
Victoria Ugwoeme, co-chair of the event, was amongst those emphasising that it was important that people keep themselves safe.
Further discussions were also had around an anti-racism, anti-fascist rally planned for Southampton city centre on Saturday (10/8/24), currently set to begin at the Bargate at noon.
Other participants included the leader of Southampton City Council Lorna Fielker, Nikki of Southampton Action, the chair of the Nigerian Community in Hampshire, trade unionists, anti-fascist protestors and Darren Paffy, MP for Southampton Itchen.
While there was much discussion, speakers were united in a desire to stamp out racism, fascism, terrorism and division in our community and beyond.
Victoria Ugwoeme captured the mood of the meeting.
“When we hear of things that shouldn’t be happening in our city, we come together and say ‘no – not welcome here’,” she said.
“We say no to violence, intimidation, hatred.
“Our city is diverse and rich and we can’t have that (hatred) growing in our city.
“Fear is a terrorist act.
“Together we go out in courage, we go out with boldness, we go out looking after each other.”
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