Picture shows anti-racism demonstrators in Southampton in October 2025.
Southampton anti-racist and community groups are holding a demonstration calling for community unity this weekend.
A counter-demonstration organised by one of the groups, Southampton Stand Up To Racism, is also being held on Wednesday evening (17/6/26).
Both events will be taking place in Portswood, the scene of violent protest in the wake of the verdict in the trial following the murder of University of Southampton student Henry Nowak.
The community unity demonstration this weekend will take place on Saturday, June 20th beginning outside Waitrose in Portswood at noon.
It is backed by Southampton Stand Up To Racism, Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council, Women Against the Far Right, Southampton PSC and Shut Down Leonardo Southampton.
In a statement on social media, Southampton Stand Up To Racism said: “We must stand strong and united to block hate, violence, and intimidation from spreading across our community. Neighbours and local businesses deserve to feel safe, not threatened or silenced. Together, we can ensure that racism and the exploitation of real tragedies for selfish agendas have no place here…
“This is our moment to stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. If we are to protect our community, defend our values, and reject hate, we must show up together.
“The time is now. Southampton, rise up! Let’s show our strength, not just in words, but in action. #PortswoodUnites.”
The demonstration is being held in response to a ‘memorial service vigil and march’ being organised by the UK Independence Party, set to gather in residential street Belmont Road, where Henry Nowak was murdered.
Their social media post reads “No justice, no peace! End two-tier policing. Protect our young. Demand Justice. Release the footage.”
The vigil and march comes despite Henry Nowak’s father’s statement that he did not want the murder of his son to be used to divide communities.
He said: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone.”
At the time of Henry’s murder, the University of Southampton, where he was a student, opened a book of condolence for Henry, where students and staff could share tributes and memories along with messages of love and support for his friends and family. This was done with the agreement of Henry’s family, who, in contrast, have not condoned the vigils, demonstrations and marches held since the verdict in the trial of his killer.
Southampton Stand Up To Racism will also be holding a counter-demonstration on Wednesday, June 17th, gathering outside Waitrose in Portswood at 5.45pm in response to a planned anti-asylum seeker protest outside Highfield House Hotel. The hotel was the site of regular protests from last summer until early this year, by which point the numbers of protesters attending had significantly dwindled.
Southampton Patriots have announced their Wednesday evening protest on social media, asking their supporters to join a ‘peaceful protest’ not to bring alcohol.
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