Belfast anti-immigration protests turn violent after knife attack
12 reported
Anti-immigration protesters in Belfast set bins and vehicles on fire and attacked properties following a knife attack in the city. The violence unfolded after a Sudanese asylum seeker was charged with attempted murder in relation to the attack, footage of which was shared online by Tommy Robinson and other far-right figures. On Sandy Row, Sudanese business owners closed their stores with steel shutters by 4pm and planned to stay home. The Belfast Islamic Centre cancelled evening prayers, with a project manager advising congregants to go home and not go out. On the Shankill Road, two phone shops were looted and an African shop was set on fire. Masked men broke into a house on a residential street near the Shankill Road, attacking windows with bricks, while a car was set on fire nearby. On Newtownards Road in east Belfast, a house was set alight and a burned-out bus stood beside shattered glass and smouldering wheelie bins. Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill described the scenes as “outright thuggery,” and Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn condemned the “thuggery” seen in some areas. Justice Minister Naomi Long said “hate cannot be allowed” to win, and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly appealed for calm.
What’s reported
Anti-immigration protesters in Belfast set bins and vehicles on fire amid unrest over a knife attack.
A Sudanese asylum seeker was charged with attempted murder in relation to the knife attack.
Footage of the attack was posted by Tommy Robinson and other far-right figures, prompting demands for protests.
Sudanese business owners on Sandy Row closed stores with steel shutters by 4pm and planned to stay home.
The Belfast Islamic Centre cancelled evening prayers.
On the Shankill Road, two phone shops were looted and an African shop was set on fire.
Masked men broke into a house near the Shankill Road, attacking windows with bricks, and a car was set on fire nearby.
On Newtownards Road, a house was set alight and a burned-out bus stood beside shattered glass and smouldering wheelie bins.
Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill described the scenes as “outright thuggery.”
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn condemned the “thuggery” seen in some areas.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said “hate cannot be allowed” to win.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly appealed for calm.
Key figures
Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s first minister
Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland secretary
Naomi Long, Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister
Emma Little-Pengelly, Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister
Ameer Ibrahim, project manager at Belfast Islamic Centre (speaking in personal capacity)
Tommy Robinson, far-right figure (mentioned as posting footage)
Sources: The Guardian
