Two people have been arrested as police investigate criminal damage linked to an anti-immigration protest in Belfast.
Police have said they are treating damage to businesses in the south of the city as “hate crimes” and said on Saturday evening they are continuing to deal with protest activity and “sporadic disorder” in the city.
It followed officers in riot gear earlier being deployed to Belfast Islamic Centre after anti-immigration protesters made their way towards the south of the city following gatherings at Belfast City Hall.
Disorder broke out as anti-immigration protesters moved on from a gathering where they opposed hundreds taking part in an anti-racism rally in the city centre.
Businesses in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row area were attacked by some protesters, while hotels and a shisha cafe in the Botanic Avenue and University Street area were also targeted, with windows being smashed.
The crowd had been followed by a PSNI Land Rover with a loudspeaker warning those taking part in the walk that no notice of a public procession had been given to police, and those organising or taking part were committing an offence and liable to arrest and prosecution.
Police in riot gear arrived outside the Belfast Islamic Centre at University Road.
It was reported that up to 100 locals in the lower Ormeau Road area prevented the anti-immigration protesters from moving towards the Islamic Centre.
Roads around the university area were also been closed by police.
Footage taken in the nearby Sandy Row area shows a group of people, some with faces covered, attacking a barber shop.
It is understood children were inside the premises when it was targeted.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said on Saturday evening: “We have dealt with a number of protest sites across Northern Ireland today, including a significant protest and counter protest at Belfast City Hall.
“Many of these caused disruption to the road network.
“A number of roads, including the M5, Wellington Place and Shore Road were closed for a short period of time.
”We continue to deal with protest activity and sporadic disorder in the South Belfast area and are aware of a number of reports of criminal damage which we are currently treating as hate crimes.
”An investigation has commenced and to date we have made two arrests.
”We would like to thank the community for their patience in respect of the disruption they faced and also place on record our support for the community leaders who worked to resolve the situation.”
Stormont justice minister Naomi Long said in a social media post: “Those trashing our city and attacking businesses should be ashamed. They should also face the full legal consequences of their actions.
“Unlike those working to build businesses and a better future, these hatemongers offer nothing but division and destruction.”
The earlier Unity Over Division rally saw hundreds of people gather outside Belfast City Hall, in response to social media calls for anti-Islamic protests in the city.
Protesters, including some carrying union flags and an Irish tricolour, gathered to oppose the anti-racism rally, and the two groups were separated by police.
Those opposing the main anti-racism rally chanted “Islam out”, while a ‘Coolock says no’ banner was also displayed. Coolock, in north Dublin, was the scene of anti-immigration protests last month, which turned violent and led to the arrest of 19 people.
Footage taken at Saturday’s Belfast gatherings show fireworks being thrown as officers stand between the groups in Donegall Place.
Police Land Rovers arrived at the scene and officers in riot gear were deployed.
It is understood one person was injured by a thrown firework.
Among those attending the anti-racism rally was West Belfast People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, who said in a post to the X social media platform: “Fantastic crowd gathering at the @uarbelfast rally against islamophobia and the far right. When fascists try to organise this is the kind of solidarity we need! Fair play to the organisers and all those who turned out!”
Speakers addressing the Unity Over Division rally included RMT Union leader Mick Lynch and South Belfast MLAs Matthew O’Toole of the SDLP and Paula Bradshaw of the Alliance Party.
Mr Lynch told those gathered: “It’s your voice, the voice of the working people of this town, the working people of Ireland, the working people of Britain and the working people of Europe that are going to defeat hatred.”
Watch: Police separated groups of protesters during an anti-Islam demonstration and counter anti-racism rally in the centre of Belfast on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/JLjzhsJ4oq
— The Irish News (@irish_news) August 3, 2024
Meanwhile, the M5 motorway at Newtownabbey was closed at Hazelbank “due to ongoing protest activity in the area” and crowds of protesters also gathered at Carlisle Circus in north Belfast, with roads blocked to motorists.
In Bangor, Co Down, crowds of protestors walked through the town centre on Saturday, with some carrying union flags.
The PSNI had previously said it was aware of social media posts calling for protests in Belfast and elsewhere in the north including “specific calls to block roads using women and children”.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said anti-Islamic protests would be “policed effectively”.
A number of Christian church leaders in the north also released statements condemning calls for protests.
Anti-immigration protests have led to violent disorder in parts of England this week, after three young children were stabbed to death in Southport.
