Anti-racism demonstration in Belfast
Thousands of people demonstrated in Belfast on Saturday in a show of solidarity against racism after days of anti-migrant violence that erupted following a knife attack earlier this week.The demonstrators gathered outside Belfast City Hall under the slogan “Together against hate,” and carried banners reading “Refugees welcome,” “Riots do not speak for Belfast,” and “Belfast stands against racism.”
The march came after masked crowds targeted homes, businesses and vehicles belonging to ethnic minority communities during two nights of unrest across the city.
The knife attack raised tensions
The unrest erupted after footage of a stabbing incident in north Belfast on Monday evening was widely shared on social media.
The attack seriously injured Stephen Ogilvy.A 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Al-Did, later appeared in court on charges of attempted murder. As news and videos of the incident spread online, protests erupted in parts of Belfast, some of which turned violent.
Target homes and businesses
Police deployed armored vehicles in several flashpoints, while hundreds of masked people took to the streets. Vehicles were set on fire, property was vandalized, and ethnic minority residents appeared to be specifically targeted in some areas.
Families were forced to flee their homes when rioters attacked residential streets. A supermarket in the Middle East that had previously been targeted during previous unrest was also burned down, causing extensive damage.Reports have also emerged of motorists being stopped and questioned about their nationality while traveling to work.
“Racism has no place in our city.”
Ivanka Antova, president of United Against Racism in Belfast, said in her address to a crowd on Saturday that the city witnessed scenes of “families and young children fleeing their homes in terror.”“The whole world watched Belfast in horror,” she told the crowd. “There is nothing legitimate about racist massacres, and racism has no place in our city.”Speakers praised volunteers who helped transport affected families, provided meals and supported frightened communities during the violence.
Political leaders join the protest
The rally was attended by representatives of major political parties, trade unions and community organisations, including the new Mayor of Belfast, Royce Mair Donnelly.Union leader Carmel Gates linked the unrest to poverty and social inequality, while also condemning the far-right groups involved in the unrest.“We have had enough division in this community, and we will not tolerate racism,” she said.
The police continue to investigate
The police have arrested 23 people in connection with this disturbance so far, and charged 17 people. The authorities called for calm as investigations into the stabbing incident and subsequent riots continue.The violence comes amid growing concerns about a rise in race-related hate crimes in Northern Ireland, with official figures recently reaching their highest level since records began two decades ago.