Southampton Stand Up To Racism have issued a poster featuring a rainbow flag and communist style clenched fist to mobilise supporters for a counter-demonstration after UKIP leader Nick Tenconi announced plans to lead an anti-illegal immigration march through the city on Saturday, January 25th.
The announcement has sparked immediate backlash from community groups after Tenconi posted statements on UKIP’s X (formerly Twitter) account last month. The posts, which followed a local venue’s refusal to host a UKIP meeting, included controversial remarks about students and illegal immigrants in Southampton.
“There will be no mercy, no diplomacy, and no surrender shown to domestic terrorists. The battle rages on and victory in war will be ours,” Tenconi wrote in the social media post, drawing condemnation from local leaders.
Since assuming UKIP’s leadership, Tenconi has shifted the party’s position significantly rightward, with the party recently expressing support for Tommy Robinson, who is currently serving time for contempt of court.
Southampton Stand Up To Racism group, which successfully organised counter-demonstrations last August, has called for residents to join them in opposing the march. “Southampton has a proud history of standing against hatred and division,” said a spokesperson for the group. “We’re asking our community to come together again to show that Southampton remains a welcoming, inclusive city.”
The Southampton Stand up To Racism group is organised unofficially led by CLEAR Project , a Southampton NGO advocating for and empowering people seeking asylum and refugees through support for health, education, employment, friendship, self-expression and belonging. The group receives government funding for its activities related to refugees in the area.
The group points to last summer’s successful mobilisation, where hundreds gathered peacefully to counter similar demonstrations across the country. They aim to replicate this show of solidarity on January 25th, emphasising their commitment to maintaining Southampton’s multicultural character.
UKIPs Tenconi previously made headlines for humanitarian work. BBC News reported his journey to Ukraine with aid organisation Vans Without Borders, delivering essential supplies to civilians caught in the conflict zone during the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. Stand Up To Racism Facebook post described the UKIP leader “UKIP leader and convicted thug, Nick Tenconi”. However it’s not clear if Tenconi has been to prison. This claim seems to be unverified.
