March celebrating British heritage to take place in Southend, with counter protestors expected

A march celebrating British heritage and British flags is set to go ahead in Southend city centre this Saturday, with both supporters and counter-protesters expected to turn out.

The event, called ‘Raise the Colours of Southend City’, will begin at 12pm on Saturday 20th September outside the Odeon cinema in Southend High Street, where speeches will be held before the group sets off through the city centre.

Organiser Francess Kray, who is affiliated with UKIP, said:
“This is a peaceful march and children are welcome to attend with an appropriate adult. It’s open to all individuals who consider themselves to be a British citizen and wish to celebrate the Union Jack, Saint George’s Flag and other heritage flags. Regardless of race or religion.”

Face painting will be offered to both children and adults attending, with designs inspired by the Union Jack, Saint George’s Flag and “other heritage flags”.

Kray said they had consulted with Essex Police about the face paint not being treated as a face covering at the event. The organiser also outlined how they plan to minimise confrontation with counter-demonstrators:
“There is a high possibility of counter protests which is why I will request all attendees to begin forming a circle around myself, with opportunity for people to come into the centre of the circle and speak should they wish to do so. All attendees will then be requested to keep their backs to the counter protesters and ignore them.”

The march route will take participants down Southend High Street to Pier Hill, along the seafront to the Kursaal, then back along the opposite side of the road, up Pier Hill and through the High Street to finish near Southend Victoria train station.

Kray added:
“Unfortunately due to current affairs, those from the Action for Palestine Movement have been blocked from the event. We want this event to be fun for all attending. Show your ability to accept each other. And each others heritage flags. Make this a day for acceptance.”

Essex Police confirmed they are preparing for the march. A spokesperson said:
“We are aware of plans for protest activity in Southend on Saturday (20 September) and we’ll have appropriate policing plans in place.”

Southend City Council leader, Councillor Daniel Cowan, said:
“The Union Flag belongs to us all and can never be claimed by a political party or any given political movement. It is a symbol of this country’s historic premise that we achieve more when we are united, less when we are divided. The collective flags of our United Kingdom represent inclusion, unity, belonging, tolerance, respect, decency, and dignity – those are the values of Britain. Anyone attending this march or counterprotest are expected to adhere to those values and to keep public order and leave the politics at home.”

Police have closely monitored previous demonstrations in Southend city centre to maintain public safety, and are expected to have a visible presence again on Saturday.

UKIP, which Kray is affiliated with, was once a major force in British politics and played a key role in campaigning for Brexit. The party has seen its support collapse since the 2016 referendum, losing all its MPs and almost all local councillors. It has since shifted towards a focus on nationalism, immigration controls and social conservatism, but remains a fringe political party with limited influence.