Tonight members of Southampton Anti-Fascists attended a meeting called by the Newtown Residents Association to discuss the fact that the makers of the Channel 4 program ‘Benefits Street’ are currently attempting to make a new program – ‘Immigration Street’ in Derby Road, Southampton.
Benefits Street aired on Channel 4 earlier this year, it was horrible.
It goes without saying that Benefit Street was nothing more than a sneering and classist attack on innocent people, which has in many cases made their lives considerably worse, whilst simultaneously providing fodder for the increasingly bigoted attacks on benefit claimants that are becoming standard media fare. It is our assertion that ‘Immigration Street’ will aim to do exactly the same, demonizing local residents and inflaming racial tensions in what is currently a relatively peaceful and pleasant area of our city. As such we stand strongly against the production and would encourage other areas to do the same.
The evening was a loud and rambunctious affair attended by faith leaders, trade unionists, teachers, community workers, families and people of every race, religion and community in Southampton. It quickly became clear that the reformist apologism of the chair was not endearing him to many people present with cries going up of “Why don’t you let them in your house?” and “You getting a cut Ali?”.
The beleaguered chairman quickly wilted and introduced Kieran Smith, Creative Director of (so-called) Factual Programming for Love Productions. Kieran was a relatively young, incredibly patronising man who repeatedly failed to answer people’s questions fully and seemed much more interested in talking about how critically acclaimed his body of work was – here’s a hint son; no-one gives a shit if you won a fancy award, you’re a parasite.
Kieran Smith in happier times.
During the (largely one-sided) debate it was alleged that Kieran and his goons had been doorstepping people outside a community day centre, targeting vulnerable residents and had also been seen interviewing a man with National Front tattoos. Kieran didn’t think any of this could cause tension in the area though, we were all being silly.
SAFA intends to begin mobilising against the production of this program immediately, Kieran made it very clear that he was unwilling to stop filming voluntarily so that leaves only one option; a coordinated, militant and wide-spread campaign of direction action by local residents (several of whom are existing SAFA members) and supporters to force these sleazy, bigotry-peddling opportunists out of the community forever.
Watch here for updates but in the meantime why not call Love Productions (020 7067 4820) and politely ask them why they think they’re going to be able to get away with dragging our community into their unpleasant, exploitative world?
Derby Road Militia, Coming Soon…
SAFA
SouthamptonAntiFA 
Although I generally agree with your article I don’t see the relevance of Kieran Smith’s age to the debate. From looking at his photo and reading his online profile I can see that he is well into his thirties and so referring to him with the term ‘son’ in the derogatory sense is patronizing to a whole section of people who might be interested in your cause. How do you expect young people to get involved with your protests if you indicate, as you have, that their opinions are worthless to you. This is the same kind of discriminator rhetoric that vile UKIP representatives use to describe anyone under forty who has a different view to them, and I am sure SAFA does not want to be compared along the same lines. So I am basically suggesting that you frame your debate more responsibly using facts to make your point (with which I am sure you would win the argument) rather than ageist slurs.
You’re quite right demolition99, Mr Smith’s age had absolutely nothing to do with his repugnant opinions and we apologise if that was how the article portrayed it.
However many SAFA members are younger than our pal Kieran here, including the one who wrote this article. It’s just rhetoric innit…son!? =]
Immigrants are motivated to leave their countries for a variety of reasons, including a desire for economic prosperity, political issues, family re-unification, escaping conflict or natural disaster, or simply the wish to change one’s surroundings.
Alamilaw