Unity over Fear
PAUL McLAUGHLIN
The past few weeks have exposed some uncomfortable divisions within the town. Volunteer lifeboat crews in Hastings and Pett Level have faced disruption and hostile encounters amid anti-migrant demonstrations; Hastings Borough councillors angrily disagreed over a motion in support of the RNLI, which reaffirmed the town’s status as a place of refuge where all who are rescued are welcome and can feel safe; and a Unity Parade, organised by a coalition of faith groups, trade unions and community organisations under the banner “Hastings Celebrates Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion” was met with a small counter-protest that highlighted the tensions the parade was intended to address.
The targeting of the RNLI and the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat comes in the wake of recent anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth. Volunteer crews report that demonstrators have verbally abused them and accused them of “treason” for helping to rescue migrants crossing from France in small boats.
At a meeting of the Full Council (23 September), the independent councillor, Danuta Kean (Hollington), moved a motion in support of the RNLI. It reaffirmed “Hastings’ status as a town of refuge, where all who are rescued from drowning, be they local sailor or asylum-seeker forced by the lack of legal routes into the hands of people smugglers, are welcome and can feel safe.”
The Reform UK group leader, Cllr Doreena Ross (Wishing Tree), placed on record her admiration for the work of the RNLI and said she “condemned any attacks, abuse or intimidation directed towards RNLI crew and volunteers.” She said she could not, however, support the motion, because it linked support for the RNLI to immigration and asylum policy. “Residents in Hastings hold a range of views on immigration, asylum and border policy, and those differences of opinion are legitimate, and they should all be respected.”
Her colleague, Cllr Rob Drew (Conquest), said he too could not support the motion, because there was no way of knowing whether those arriving on small boats were among the “persecuted or the persecutors.” He added: “We can’t tell you that you are safe in this country.”
Long-standing Labour councillor Trevor Webb (West St Leonards) took strong exception to the comments. He said in his 28 years in public office he “could not recall such an intemperate speech.”
The Green deputy Leader of the Council, Julia Hilton (Old Hastings), said “that Hastings is a town of refuge is the settled view of this council – a view reiterated in a motion not long ago. This is not about linking things or encouraging people to come or whatever else. It is about reiterating, a settled view and the commitment of this council. We are a town of sanctuary.”
The motion was passed with Green and Labour support. All but one of Reform UK’s six councillors voted against the motion, with Derek Lawrence (West St Leonards) joining with the Conservatives in abstaining.
Just days later (Saturday 26 September), hundreds of people gathered in Warrior Square Gardens for the Unity Parade along the seafront to a rally in the town centre. The event was largely peaceful, but not incident-free. While some drivers sounded their horns in support, others slowed down and shouted abuse at participants.
As the parade turned into Robertson Street, a verbal confrontation between a marcher and a protester briefly threatened to turn violent.
Small group of counter-protesters
When the Unity Parade arrived in the town centre, it was met by a small group of counter-demonstrators, some carrying Union Jack and St George’s flags.
Nandi Msezane, a migrant worker from South Africa, told the rally, that living in the UK had become “much scarier” since the intimidating events in Dover.
Jenny Sutton, Chair of Stand Up to Racism, said the Unity Parade was “a celebration of multicultural Hastings, of diversity and inclusion, and of the simple principle that all of us belong here”. She added: “those values are under threat. The danger is clear when masked Blackshirts block ports and intimidate refugees and those who stand beside them, including brave RNLI volunteers. We need unity across our workplaces, our unions, our faiths, our communities and our streets. We need solidarity not scapegoating and we need the confidence to say: Hastings belongs to all of us. We will stand together and we will not be divided.”
Hastings prides itself on its alternative, diverse and welcoming character. It is a fun town that loves to dress up for Jack-in-the-Green, Pirates Day and Carnival Week. As recent weeks have shown, however, it is now grappling with an uncomfortable polarisation, and the values of tolerance and solidarity appear not to be universally shared. For many migrants, refugees, and members of our Jewish community, the impact is deeply personal, and many now question whether their community is as safe and inclusive as they once believed. It is incumbent on us all – not just our politicians – to act. The road ahead requires sustained effort to bridge these divides and reaffirm Hastings’ commitment to unity over fear.
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