On Saturday 21st March 2026, United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a hundred people came out in Newhaven to stand against hate and discrimination and for love and kindness. The event, organised by Lewes District Anti-Racism Alliance and Newhaven Stand Up to Racism showed the strength of feeling against racism and hate with speeches and song.
Newhaven resident, Cllr. Paul Keene, of Lewes District Council, a long-time campaigner for racial justice, opened his speech with the words: ‘Racism is rising. Not simmering. Not retreating apologetically to the margins. Rising — with a confidence it has not displayed so openly in decades, in this country, across Europe, and around the world.’
He reported on a racist attack in Newhaven, where workers at McDonald's were subjected to threatening behaviour by young people aged fourteen to seventeen, surrounding the restaurant, carrying bottles and uttering threats: “We will show you how we deal with immigrants.”
As Cllr. Keene went on to say: ‘Those children did not find those words by themselves. Those words were given to them.’ But they do not speak for the majority. ‘The far right's claim to speak for ordinary people is a fraud.’
Nine year old Ida from Seaford who made the placard in the photo expresses her own feelings of love and friendship across cultures. Ida joined in the songs sung by the Hope and Anger singers as the anti-racists walked through the streets of Newhaven.
‘I really liked singing and making the placards.’ Ida said. ‘My favourite song was Solidarity, especially the bit where we sing “We will raise our voices in sweet harmony, we will keep on singing till everyone’s free”. I’d like everyone not to be racist because it makes people sad.”
In the High Street, Nicki Day, local singer and performer, who is active across multiple community groups was applauded and cheered as she sang Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre
Cllr Dr Janet Baah, Chair of the Lewes District Anti-Racism Alliance was unable to attend due to health reasons but sent a speech written for the event, read by Alex Mthobi. The speech expressed the strength of the movement against racism:
‘We will not be divided. We will not be intimidated. And we will not bow to hate. Not today.
Not tomorrow. Not ever.
Let it be known — let it be shouted from every hill in Newhaven — that those who peddle hatred do NOT represent this community.
Because we are the majority. Compassion is the majority. Solidarity is the majority. Humanity is the majority.’
Our article appeared in the Sussex Express: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/community/one-hundred-people-come-out-in-newhaven-in-anti-racism-event-6212988
Copy of the speeches
We handed out leaflets to passersby that sometimes led to discussion: Migrants are not to blame.
On Tuesday 17th March 2026, Seaford Climate Hub hosted a workshop for people to come and make placards for the UN Anti-Racism Day march in Newhaven and to take the Together Alliance march in London on 28th March 2026.