World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Chichester residents raise concerns over racist and homophobic abuse
Actor Munya Chawawa said he experienced racism and homophobia during a six-week run in Chichester, West Sussex.
He was performing as Bottom in Shakespeare’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* at the city’s theatre.
Some residents say they fear hostility is increasing, including racist abuse reportedly directed at people by men on bikes.
Residents quoted in the story said they were worried, though one described the behaviour as confined to a small minority of young people.
The concerns follow earlier anti-migrant protests outside a hotel amid fears it would house refugees and asylum seekers, and graffiti of the St George’s Cross in the town.
Mayor Sean McHale said Chawawa’s experience made him sad and disappointed, while noting that many people in Chichester are welcoming.
The mayor has not said what action will follow in the available account.
Residents of Chichester say they are concerned about racist and homophobic abuse in the West Sussex city.
Actor and comedian Munya Chawawa said he experienced more racism, xenophobia and homophobia during a six-week theatre appearance there than he had in his lifetime.
Locals who spoke to the Daily Mail said they feared far-right activity and abuse by youths were increasing.
Mayor Sean McHale said the vast majority of people in Chichester are open and welcoming.
- Who
- Residents of Chichester, actor and comedian Munya Chawawa, and Mayor Sean McHale.
- What
- Residents raised concerns about racist and homophobic abuse. Chawawa said he experienced abuse during a theatre appearance.
- When
- Chawawa said the abuse occurred during a six-week appearance; the specific dates are not stated.
- Where
- Chichester, West Sussex, England.
- Why
- Residents said they were concerned by reports of abuse and feared it was increasing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Munya Chawawa performed as Bottom in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in Chichester and said he experienced racism, xenophobia and homophobia.
Mayor Sean McHale said Chichester welcomed many Ukrainian refugees.
The St George's Cross was graffitied across the town, and anti-migrant protesters gathered outside The Park Hotel over fears it would house refugees and asylum seekers.
Chawawa spoke about his experiences in an interview.
- Location
- Chichester, West Sussex
- Actor
- Munya Chawawa
- Theatre role
- Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Appearance length
- Six weeks
- Mayor
- Sean McHale
What people are saying
I think I saw more in those six weeks than I have actually seen across my entire lifetime.
The vast majority of people in Chichester are open and welcoming.
There has been a breakdown in respect in society and mobs of disaffected youths have been directing some of their anger at lack of opportunity at other groups who they blame for their dissatisfaction.
It seems to be confined to a small minority of youths but it is still worrying and I just hope this behaviour stops soon.