Northern Ireland

More far-right anti-immigration protests planned

Plans emerge days after far-right mobs go on rampage

PSNI officers man road blocks in Belfast following an anti-Islamic protest outside Belfast City Hall
More far-right protests have been organised for Belfast (David Young/PA)

Far-right protests have been organised just days after rampaging mobs attacked businesses owned by members of the ethnic minority community.

While it is not known who is behind a series of anti-immigration protests being planned for this week, some have been highlighted on a Facebook page calling itself Official Protestant Coalition.

The Protestant Coalition was closely linked to the failed loyalist flag protests, which began in 2012.

A large protest has now been organised for Belfast City Centre at rush hour on Friday.



Fresh far-right protests are planned for this week
Fresh far-right protests are planned for this week

Social media posts promoting the protest, which include both the tricolour and Union flag, are urging people to attend the city centre venue between 5pm-7pm, at the height of rush-hour.

The flags were flown side by side by protesters in the city centre during a similar far-right protest last weekend.

It emerged on Monday that one of four men charged in relation to Saturday’s events has an address in a nationalist area of Belfast.

A counter-rally organised by United Against Racism also attracted a large number of people.

It is understood discussions are taking place about a possible response to Friday’s anti-immigration rally.

A spokeswoman for the PSNI said the force is aware of protest plans.

“We are aware of social media posts calling for protests across Northern Ireland in the week ahead,” she said.

“We urge anyone who plans to attend these protests to engage with us as we will be doing our part to ensure the safety of participants and to facilitate the lawful exercise of freedom of expression.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will be engaging with groups likely to be affected by any protest activity.”

United Against Racism in Derry has organised a “solidarity demonstration” for Wednesday evening.

Spokesman Davy McAuley described Derry as “proudly different”.

“We have a brilliant tradition of fighting oppression and standing up for people who face discrimination and persecution,” he said.

Responding to the recent attacks on ethnic minorities, Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International said “the police must never allow the horrific events of this weekend to happen again”.

“Minoritised communities are now living in fear,” he said.

Mr Corrigan was critical of the police response.

“An unlawful procession, including masked men clearly intent on violence, marauded across the most ethnically diverse part of Belfast, attacking communities and businesses as they went - and the PSNI did not stop them,” he said.

“There are serious questions for the police, who publicly declared they were prepared, but then failed to protect already vulnerable communities.

Mr Corrigan said police must not get it wrong again.

“Violent racists have now been emboldened, with agitators signalling their intentions to ‘go again’ this week.

“The police, while facing an undoubtedly difficult task, cannot afford to get it wrong again.

“Their job is to uphold the law, protect innocent citizens and prevent mob rule.”

It comes as the organisers of last Saturday’s ‘Unity Over Division’ rally in Belfast thanked those who attended the demonstration.

In a statement posted online it said the “courage many displayed in the displayed in the face of violence and the hope all brought to the cobbles of city hall is the true face of Belfast”.

It also called for people to “put aside small political squabbles and rally around an anti-racist and anti-fascist umbrella” and shared details of a rally organised due to be held on Saturday August 10 at Writer’s Square in Belfast.

It said it was part of the co-ordinated day of protest to ‘stop the far right’.

Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna condemned the attacks.

“It is important now that we see swift action to bring as many of those individuals involved in the violence to justice,” she said.

“That is vital but I know it may provide little comfort to those who have lost their businesses or spent a weekend fearing for their safety.”

A handful of people turned up last night at the Dublin Road in Belfast for a protest which had been advertised on social media.