I AM writing in my capacity as president of Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council to complain about the badly chosen headline and sloppy journalism of your story today (Monday, July 4th July) about the march in Southampton against racism and fascism.

Firstly, the event was not “marred” in any way by any group of protesters. Few of the marchers noticed the members of “Antifa” among the 1,300 strong march. The taxi mentioned as being “hit” was carrying members of the fascist group who wanted to visit Southampton to recruit to their vile and divisive creed and the roof was thumped by someone as it drove away.

It was ironic that in order to escape from their police escort and from the peaceful crowd ensuring that they left, they chose to jump into a taxi driven by an Asian man. I hope he did not suffer from any racist insults from them.

Your reporter spent more words on this minor aspect of the march than on what it was about or who organised it so I shall fill in his gaps.

On hearing about three weeks ago that this Nazi group intended to visit our city, the Trades Union Council, along with Unite Community (a part of the Unite union) and Southampton Peoples’ Assembly held a meeting to agree that we would call a march under the heading “Defend Diversity”.

We delivered hundreds of leaflets to the many communities in our wonderfully diverse and vibrant city emphasising that, as an ancient port, we have always welcomed a multitude of nationalities, and called on our citizens to make it clear that racism and fascism are unwelcome here and will not be tolerated. Naturally, marchers are supportive to refugees fleeing poverty, repression and bombing, but in this instance, we were there to fight the pathetic successors of those who tried to destroy our city in the last war.

Southampton responded last Saturday in its hundreds, including Councillor Simon Letts and Councillor Satvir Kaur, among other councillors, none of whom your reporter appears to have noticed. Your reporter not only failed to interview Southampton Trades Union Council, Unite Community Southampton Area, Southampton Peoples’ Assembly and Stand Up To Racism, but even our council leader and the councillor for communities.

The fascists were, unfortunately, seen briefly on the streets of Southampton, but it was while they were being escorted back to Southampton railway station, followed by the Defend Diversity march, chanting and singing, led by local choir, Southampton Red Stars. The marchers then returned to Guildhall Square to sing and chant for a further period in celebration of clearing our city of vermin.

Ms Bobby Noyes President, Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council