Words: Sally Churchward. Images: Chris Moorhouse.
Sunday afternoon’s Unity in the Community – Refugee Celebration March saw some 50 to 60 people march in the blazing sunshine from Southampton’s Civic Centre to Mayflower Park.
It was a joyous, musical celebration of the resilience of refugees and asylum-seekers and a message of welcome.
The march drew smiles and support, as well as the taking of photographs by many passers by as it headed through the town centre and was met with only one or two voices of hostility from drinkers outside one of the city centre pubs it passed.
July 2026 marks 75 years since the United Nations Refugee Convention was signed in 1951, defining what it means to be a refugee and how countries like the UK should offer sanctuary to those fleeing fear, conflict or persecution.
However Southampton has been a city that offers sanctuary for hundreds of years, a port city that has welcomed people here be that temporarily or permanently when they have needed a safe place to go.
The march was organised to celebrate these facts on behalf of Southampton Stand Up To Racism by Bobby Grigore, a first generation Romanian immigrant, to welcome refugees and to celebrate that they are, as he said in his opening speech at the event, ‘living proof that tomorrow is one hopeful thought away.’
He also referenced the almost 4,000 Basque refugee children who came to Southampton, fleeing the Spanish Civil War, and concluded: “today we’re here to celebrate and sing loud the voices of refugees past, present and future. We’re here to show any asylum-seekers looking for somewhere safe that Southampton is a city of love and compassion.”
The crowd was also addressed by Nikki, chair of Southampton Refugee Action.
She said: “This month marks 75 years since the United Nations adopted the Refugee Convention – a promise that people forced to flee war, persecution and violence would be offered protection, dignity and hope. Seventy-five years later, that promise is as important as ever.
“Southampton has a long history of keeping that promise. For centuries, people have found refuge here – from the Huguenots and the Basque children, to families from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Hong Kong. Since 2001, Southampton has also been an asylum dispersal city, not just since 2025 like some would have you believe.
“Whether Southampton has been your home for your whole life, for five years or for five minutes, you belong here. You are part of our community. This city is your home too.”
Amongst those gathered to take part in the event were former Southampton Mayor, cllr for Freemantle, Dave Shields. He explained why he was there: “I’m here showing my solidarity and support for all the refugees who have made Southampton their home.”
Jess Jones from Southampton Green Party said: “With everything going on, I think the protests at the hotel (in Portswood, housing asylum seekers) have upset a lot of people so it’s bringing everyone together, showing that we care for everyone who is or isn’t native to Southampton.”
Alice, who lives in the city, said: “I’m quite upset about the stuff around the Henry Nowak killing and the way people used that as an excuse to scapegoat a community unfairly. I wanted to express my support for refugees. I feel that this is a place that should be welcoming.”
The march had a carnival atmosphere with a large percussion section, who drummed their way through Southampton city centre, while the crowd chanted ‘this is what community looks like,’ ‘stop the hate, stop the fear, refugees are welcome here,’ and ‘women’s rights, migrants’ rights – one struggle, one fight,’ alongside other chants.
‘This is what community looks like’ they called, and it did appear to be a friendly, welcoming, joyful community that was marching through Southampton.
In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton
