COMMUNITY leaders have signed an open letter condemning plans by the far-right Britain First movement to hold a regional meeting in Southampton next month.
Politicians, faith organisations and trade union bosses are united in their opposition to the meeting, which is due to take place at a secret location on February 7.
Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, is among those who have signed the letter.
Groups supporting the document include Southampton Stand Up To Racism, Southampton and South Hampshire Crime Network and the Muslim Council of Southampton.
Jayanti Shah, one of the city's leading anti-racism campaigners, has also put his name to the letter.
READ MORE: Britain First Southampton meeting: Police vow to 'monitor activity'
Southampton Stand Up To Racism - which initiated the protest - is calling on the venue to cancel the booking "rather than providing a platform" for Britain First.
Victoria Ugwoeme, the group's chairman, said: "In the spirit of peace, hope and togetherness let’s stand against any form of oppression or hateful politics.
"Our city has a long, shared history of multicultural values and diverse, vibrant communities and long may it continue."
The letter condemns Britain First's "extreme" views and says Southampton should "stand united in defending our multicultural and diverse city".
It adds: "The challenges faced by ordinary people and the hardship exacerbated by the cost of living crisis are not caused by refugees and migrants, or Muslims.
"Attacking and scapegoating sections of our community will only create division and fear.
"We must work together to create a fairer, more equal society. Britain First offers no solutions for Southampton and they are not welcome in our city."
READ MORE: Britain First leader Paul Golding 'beaten up in prison'
Speakers at the Britain First meeting are due to include the party's leader, Paul Golding, 41, who has twice been jailed over his activities.
An email sent to people who might be interested in going says: "Once you have confirmed your attendance, you will receive the meeting point and time via SMS and email.
"Do not share this email or post it on social media - it is for your eyes only. Please do not share any of the details in this email with anyone."
But one of the people to have signed the letter, Syed Rashidul Islam, Secretary of the Muslim Council of Southampton, said: "Why are they doing it here in Southampton?
"Southampton is a very diverse, multicultural city. All my life I've been in Southampton and I know the city very well.
"It was a bit of a shock when we heard about it. These things are nothing but troublemaking. It's nothing good.
"It always causes some kind of anxiety and issue in the community."
He added that the amount of signatures now shows the "sheer volume of outrage in society and how united and diverse we are".
Britain First campaigns against multi-culturalism and what it sees as the Islamisation of the UK, and advocates the preservation of traditional British culture.
City council leader Satvir Kaur has said: "Southampton is a proud, diverse city - it's this diversity that makes us modern, dynamic, talented, creative, skilled and so much more."
Southampton-based race and diversity consultant and founder of Black History Month South, Don John, told the Echo: “It is commendable that so many organisations and individuals have condemned the views of Britain First, however, the absence of the major institutions is noted.
"It is of some concern that Britain First sees Southampton as a favourable city to hold their regional meeting.
"Perhaps the city needs to be a little more robust in declaring their anti-racist position and supporting the needs of those who may have been subjected to the kinds of views and opinions that Britain First are advocating.
"A Race Advice Service could be one step towards that and perhaps those who signed the statement could translate those fine words into something tangible”
Full list of signatories, some of whom have signed in a personal capacity:
Alan Whitehead
Cllr Richard Blackman
Cllr Sarah Bogle
Cllr Tony Bunday
Cllr Hannah Coombs
Cllr Lorna Fielker
Cllr Barrie Margetts
Cllr Lisa Mitchell
Cllr Dave Shields
Cllr Alex Winning
Southampton Liberal Democrats
Southampton & District Green Party
Wyn Jeffery, Chair, Itchen Labour Party
Clllr Geoff Cooper (Test Valley)
Southampton Stand Up To Racism
Southampton & South Hampshire Hate Crime Network
Rob Kurn, CEO, Southampton Voluntary Services
Pete White, Project Manager, CLEAR Project
Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group
Nikki Walters, Chair, Southampton Action
Dr Stephen Sizer, Peacemaker Trust
Jake Radwell, People’s Pride Southampton
Syed Rashidul Islam, Secretary, Muslim Council of Southampton
Tim Sluckin, Hon. Secretary, Southampton Hebrew Congregation
Vincent Anthony Maria Harvey, Catholic Church
Mahadevan Ramanan, Hampshire Tamil Association
Paul Williams, Trustee, Winchester City of Sanctuary
Jayanti Shah, MBE
Dr Vesna Perisic, Principal Teaching Fellow, University of Southampton
Jimmy Hatherley, Managing Director, Unity Brewing
Jennie Formby, Unite the Union
Hayley Garner, Branch Secretary, Unite the Union, Southampton City and West Hampshire
Callum Williamson, Branch Secretary, Hampshire UNISON
Southampton Geographical (SE/6236) Branch - Unite the Union
Unite Community Southampton Area
Hampshire UNISON Retired Members
Southampton People's Assembly
Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Southampton
Board In The City CIC
JusticeOneDay
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