Police had changed the route for an anti-migrant protest for Sunday (Oct 26), with protesters marching along Thomas Lewis Way rather than through Portswood Broadway – where a counter anti-racism demonstration was being convened.
The original route would have taken the march past a mosque and Gudwaras, via Bevois Valley into town. “Numerous organisations and individuals spoke out against the route, including local councillors from the Labour Party, Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats,” reported In Common.
Photo: L Weedy
Itchen MP Darren Paffey said in a statement that he recognised that free speech is a core British value, but that “no-one has a right to intimidate, or to stoke up fear, division or hatred”. He said he would “stand up for the strength and diversity that successive generations of immigrants have brought to our city”.
The ‘Southampton Patriot’ protest marched from Highfield House Hotel to Hoglands Park via Thomas Lewis Way.
Counter-demonstrators followed the route originally planned for the ‘Patriots’ march, walking from Portswood through the city to the Peace Fountain in East Andrews Park.
The counter demonstration. Photo: Dan O'Farrell
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