Southampton Stand Up To Racism are holding a counter demonstration this evening (8/1/26) after anti-asylum seeker protesters return to shout outside of a Portswood hotel housing asylum seekers for the third time in a week.
Recent anti-asylum seeker protests have seen significantly dwindling numbers, from highs in the summer of up to 100, to around 20 at the demonstrations last Friday (pictured top) and Sunday.
Today’s anti-asylum seeker protest coincides with a local PACT meeting – Portswood Police and Communities Together meeting at the nearby Highfield Church.
The quarterly events are hosted by the local neighbourhood policing team, and are intended for local residents to engage directly with the police and representatives of Southampton City Council about issues of concern in the area.
It is believed that the anti-asylum seeker protesters may attempt to attend the meeting for Portswood residents as a group. Southampton Stand Up To Racism have stated that they will not be attending the PACT meeting as an organisation.
Southampton Stand Up To Racism will be gathering at the bus stop near Waitrose in Portswood at 5.45pm, before marching to Highfield House Hotel in Highfield Lane.
They said their intention was to: “Stand in solidarity with hotel residents facing racism and intimidation, send a clear message that refugees are welcome in Southampton, (and) show that our city stands for compassion, dignity, and community—not hate.”
They added: “We will move together to demonstrate peacefully outside Highfield House Hotel.
There is no organised plan for Stand Up To Racism supporters to attend or intervene in the PACT meeting, which should remain a space for local residents to engage constructively.”
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