Thousands of Belfast residents assembled on Saturday to speak out against anti-immigrant violence that swept through parts of Northern Ireland earlier this week following a stabbing incident involving an asylum seeker.
The peaceful counter-demonstration took place after several nights of destructive unrest triggered by the arrest of a 30-year-old Sudanese man facing attempted murder charges in connection with a knife attack that left a victim partially blinded.
Violence escalated when groups wearing masks targeted residences they suspected housed immigrants, setting multiple homes ablaze along with a public bus, while hurling bricks, bottles and explosive devices at law enforcement. The destructive rampage displaced more than 24 residents and wounded a dozen police officers in what authorities described as “thuggery.”
Speaking to the crowd assembled near Belfast City Hall, Elaine Crory stated: “All it takes is for one person who’s not white and local to commit a crime and that fire of racism is rekindled.”
Those participating in the peaceful counter-protest displayed messages reading “The problem is evil & violence not race,” “Your racism is not patriotism” and “Protect people not prejudice.”
A newly married couple, Cara Bell and Matthew Richardson, described it as fortunate timing to exit their wedding ceremony at City Hall and immediately join the peaceful gathering following the disturbing violence they had witnessed days earlier.
“It’s important to note that things like today really show that this is not the general feeling of people in Belfast,” Bell remarked, calling it “a week where you’ve seen the worst of humanity and the best of humanity in Belfast.”
Even with appeals for peace from authorities and the stabbing victim’s relatives, far-right and anti-immigrant activists were accused of inciting demonstrations across multiple locations throughout the United Kingdom during the week.
Violence in Glasgow, Scotland, focused on minority communities and forced mosque attendees into protective lockdown, according to police reports.
Saturday also saw an anti-racism organization mobilize thousands in Glasgow to take back city streets and “stand up to the far right.”
This large group encountered a significantly smaller group of predominantly male counter-protesters who appeared to perform Nazi salutes while shouting anti-Muslim slogans.
The anti-racism demonstrators responded by chanting, “Nazi scum off our streets.”
