People's Question Time in Southampton, 12 March 7.30pm

Join the People's Question Time in Southampton on 12 March where discussions on how we organise for a fair sustainable and more secure future, at a time when poverty and inequality continue to rise and all major parties remain committed to a programme of cuts and privatisation. http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/question_time_tuesday_12th_march_2015

Community leaders defend Southampton after Immigration Street controversy

Daily Echo story: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11815093.Community_leaders_defend_Southampton_after_Immigration_Street_controversy

Trade union movement support the call to axe Channel 4's Immigration Street

The UK trade union movement is supporting locals and officials in Southampton calling on Channel 4 to cancel the 'Immigration Street' documentary reduced from six episodes to one that the channel claim is not due to the massive local, political and media pressure they have succumbed to, but is to claims their film crew were victims of a campaign of opposition from locals.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02/22/tuc-general-secretary-immigration-street-channel-four-_n_6729606.html

Celebrity Russell Brand's reaction to the 'Immigration Street' programme.

Watch celebrity Russell Brand's reaction to the 'Immigration Street' programme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwB4n47nS50

Channel 4 and Rupert Murdoch collaborate to destroy British communities

A David and Goliath battle is ensuing in the South East of England. Publicly owned broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned (http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-commissions-immigration-street) Love Productions, a production company 70% owned by Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB (http://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/great-british-bake-off-founders-in-the-money-after-sky-buy-slice-of-production-company-9618765.html) to film a 'Benefits Streets' styled mockumentary on Derby Road in Southampton titled Immigration Street.

The media titans have ignored the fierce opposition (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2826989/CUT-Furious-Immigration-Street-families-evict-C4-crews-pelting-eggs-flour.html) from local residents and failed to comply (http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11762839.Bid_to_scrap_divisive_reality_show_on_multi_cultural_street_rebuffed/) with the concerns from Southampton city representatives including the police and health professionals, who state the show will not add anything positive to the debate on immigration, but will only fuel hatred, racism and exploitation similar to the backlash (http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/what-effect-benefits-street-residents-7671138) seen after Love Production’ s earlier work on Birmingham's James Turner Street in ‘Benefits Street’.

Reports show Channel 4 and its accomplices used vulnerable people (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11365824.print/) in Southampton on their film and when local opposition intensified they moved on to different streets in the area to gain sensationalist programme material.

The locals are not against freedom of speech, and have no problems with a fair debate on immigration. One of the problems they have is with the patronising intrusion from Channel 4 to assume people who are in many cases 3rd, 4th generation British are seen as new immigrations who are responsible for the austerity cuts, lack of decent jobs, strains on public services when we all know the root of these are bad government policies, made to divide and rule the working classes.

Come on Channel 4, you know you are in the wrong on this one or you would not have already cut out (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31094422) some of the original episodes you had agreed with your media cohorts. If you want a real debate on immigration, bring in all the key players - governments, some sections of the media, and employers. You can do better than scraping around for high TV ratings by exploiting and sensationalising vulnerable people and highlighting and stigmatising people as if it's wrong to have a different accent, special needs, or shade of skin and cannot be accepted as British. Shame on you Love Productions and Channel 4 and your cheap, trashy style of programme making!

Celebrity Russell Brand's reaction to 'Immigration Street'

Celebrity Russell Brand's reaction to the 'Immigration Street' programme.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwB4n47nS50

No to Immigration Street demo speeches January 2015

A compilation of the speeches at the 'NO to Immigration Street' Demo outside Channel 4 on Saturday 31 January 2015. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=358915730963466

NO to Immigration Street demo 31 January 2015

Excellent solidarity protest outside channel 4 on Saturday 31 January calling on them to cancel their 'Immigration Street' programme as we successfully handed in a petition with over 1700 signature. Great speeches from Rosa Crawford TUC, Mo Ansar local campaigner and activist, Labour Councillor Satvir Kaur and Kelly Tomlinson Unite the union Community branch.

'We are Southampton' Community Event - Saturday 24 January

In preparation for the 31 January 'Stand Up for Southampton’ Demo. There will be a 'We are Southampton' community event taking place this Saturday 24 January from 11.30am – 4.00pm.  

We Are Southampton' will be a fun packed occasion for all the family. Organised by the people - for the people, this special day for Southampton is set to showcase our community unity, and demonstrate solidarity throughout the city as a whole. Don't miss it! 

-11:30am Banner & Placard Making Workshop, at the Solent University, East Park campus (directions at reception).

-1;00 pm 'We Are Southampton' march, down Derby Road to Maytree School. A peaceful - family friendly - solidarity march, uniting Southampton's communities.

-2-4pm Important Public Meeting, concerning "Immigration Street" organised by Newtown Residents Association. Guest speakers, topical stalls.

Full details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1594879724077585/1594879730744251/?notif_t=like …Please come along and support the local community. There will be fun activities for the family and opportunities to find out why we are taking action on 31 January

Stand Up for Southampton Demo - 31 January 2015 - Coaches

COACH PICK UP POINTS

Please note that the 31 January’s demo pick up points and times for the Southampton – London coaches will be:   

 

8:00am pick up outside the 3rd Age Centre (Cranbury Terrace/ Onslow Road

8:15am pick up at Maytree School (Derby Road)

If you want a seat on the coach please send us your details via the contact form.  please note that we will be charging 50p per seat.