Thousands of people marched in Belfast on Saturday in a show of solidarity against racism following days of anti-immigrant violence sparked by a knife attack earlier this week.Gathering outside Belfast City Hall under the banner “Together Against Hate”, protesters held signs reading “Refugees welcome”, “Don’t speak up for riots” and “Belfast stands against racism”.The rally came after masked mobs targeted homes, businesses and vehicles from ethnic minority communities during two nights of disorder across the city.
Tension spread due to knife attack
Unrest broke out in north Belfast on Monday night after footage of a stabbing was widely circulated on social media. Stephen Ogilvie was seriously injured in the attack.Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, later appeared in court charged with attempted murder. As news and video of the incident spread online, protests broke out in parts of Belfast, some of which escalated into violence.
Homes and businesses were targeted
Police deployed armored vehicles at several locations as hundreds of masked people took to the streets. Vehicles were set on fire, properties destroyed and in some areas ethnic minority residents were specifically targeted.Families were forced to flee their homes as rioters attacked residential streets. A Middle Eastern supermarket, which had been targeted earlier during the unrest, was also set on fire, causing extensive damage.There were also reports of motorists being stopped while traveling to work and questioned about their nationality.
‘Racism has no place in our city’
Addressing Saturday’s rally, Ivanka Antonova, chair of United Against Racism Belfast, said the city had seen scenes of “families and young children fleeing their homes due to terror”.“The whole world looked on in horror at Belfast,” he told the crowd. “There is nothing legitimate about a racist massacre, and racism has no place in our city.”Speakers praised volunteers who helped relocate affected families, provided food and supported frightened communities during the violence.
Political leaders joined the protest
The rally was attended by representatives of the major political parties, trade unions and community organisations, including the new Lord Mayor of Belfast Rois-Maire Donnelly.Trade union leader Carmel Gates linked the unrest to poverty and social inequality, while also condemning far-right groups involved in the disorder.“We have too much division in this community and we will not tolerate racism,” he said.
Police investigation continues
Police have so far made 23 arrests in connection with the disorder, in which 17 people have been charged. Authorities have appealed for calm as the investigation into the stabbing and subsequent rioting continues.The violence comes amid growing concerns over rising race-related hate crimes in Northern Ireland, where official figures recently reached their highest level since records began two decades ago.