Man arrested for allegedly displaying homophobic sign at protest

A 47-year-old man was arrested at an outdoor demonstration in Southampton. (Stock Image/Getty Images)

A protester was arrested for holding a homophobic sign outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

The 47-year-old was arrested at a demonstration outside the Highfield House Hotel in Southampton on Friday (21 November). The hotel has been the site of several anti-immigrant protests in recent months, including one in September when an arson case was investigated by police.

Hampshire Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of multiple offenses, including possession of a class B controlled drug. Video footage shared on social media showed him wearing a Union flag and holding a placard that read “God hates shit.”

The phrase is similar to that used by Westboro Baptist Church, an American religious group best known for its protests and picketing of funerals for fallen soldiers. They gained notoriety in October 1998 when they appeared at the funeral of murdered gay teenager Matthew Shepard.

Southampton City Councilor Marie Finn said she was “genuinely concerned about the impact anti-immigration protests are having on the local community”, according to the newspaper. southern daily echo. “Local residents come to our surgeries and tell us things like: [facing] Racist abuse.

“I’m glad someone was arrested. The police were absolutely right to take action.”

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: “Our teams initially attempted to deal with the incident using a dispersal order, but then had to make an arrest for possession of a controlled substance, failing to give a name or address and using threatening or abusive words or behavior likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.”

“He has been released on bail while our investigations continue.

“During protests, we utilize evidence collection teams, record footage and carefully consider whether any crime has been committed by the participants. If any crime is identified, we will take appropriate action.”