Thousands of people marched through Belfast on Saturday in a show of solidarity against racism after days of anti-immigrant violence that erupted following a knife attack earlier this week.Gathering outside Belfast City Hall under the banner “Together Against Hate”, demonstrators carried placards reading “Refugees Welcome”, “Riots Don’t Speak for Belfast” and “Belfast Stands Against Racism”.The rally came after masked mobs targeted homes, businesses and vehicles belonging to ethnic minority communities during two nights of disorder across the city.
Knife attack sparked tensions
The unrest was triggered after footage of a stabbing in north Belfast on Monday night circulated widely on social media. The attack left Stephen Ogilvie seriously injured.A 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, later appeared in court charged with attempted murder. As news and videos of the incident spread online, protests broke out across parts of Belfast, with some descending into violence.
Homes and businesses targeted
Police deployed armoured vehicles to several flashpoints as hundreds of masked individuals took to the streets. Vehicles were set on fire, properties were vandalised and ethnic minority residents appeared to be specifically targeted in some areas.Families were forced to flee their homes as rioters attacked residential streets. A Middle Eastern supermarket that had previously been targeted during earlier unrest was also set ablaze, causing extensive damage.Reports also emerged of motorists being stopped and questioned about their nationality while travelling to work.
‘Racism has no place in our city’
Addressing Saturday’s rally, United Against Racism Belfast chair Ivanka Antova said the city had 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 pogroms, and racism has no place in our city.”Speakers praised volunteers who helped relocate affected families, provided meals and supported frightened communities during the violence.
Political leaders join protest
Representatives from major political parties, trade unions and community organisations attended the rally, including Belfast’s new Lord Mayor Róis-Máire 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 had enough division in this community, and we will not tolerate racism,” she said.
Police continue investigation
Police have made 23 arrests in connection with the disorder so far, with 17 people charged. Authorities have appealed for calm as investigations into both the stabbing and the subsequent riots continue.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.
