The first and deputy first ministers have urged a “zero tolerance approach to racism and wanton destruction” in the wake of violent disorder in south Belfast at the weekend.
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly released a joint statement after speaking to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher about Saturday’s events.
Their remarks came as it was confirmed that the Stormont assembly will be recalled from summer recess on Thursday in response to the racist attacks on businesses in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas.
The recall motion tabled by Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw urges the assembly to condemn the criminal damage and targeting of businesses, as well as rejecting “all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism”.
It has been supported by Sinn Féin and the SDLP, ensuring it received the 30 signatures necessary to trigger the recall.
Ms Bradshaw said the weekend violence was “criminal damage carried out with a clear racial motivation”.
“This wanton destruction is rejected by the people of the city, who stand with the victims against thuggery,” the South Belfast MLA said.
“Such attacks are the result of hate being stirred up on an ongoing basis.”
She urged First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to “reverse the de-prioritisation of good relations work” and urgently bring forward the draft Race Relations Order.
“We also need to see urgent and decisive action to bring those who committed such destruction to justice,” she said.
In their statement, the Stormont leaders said that while people were entitled to take part in peaceful protest, there was “no justification for racism or for the violence and intimidation that occurred on our streets on Saturday”.
“Today we have spoken to the chief constable and offered him our full support and we pledged to work to deliver a shared, peaceful and inclusive society,” they said.
“There must be a zero tolerance approach to racism and wanton destruction. Nobody should have to live in fear or threat of violence.”
Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly urged those with information about the attacks to contact the PSNI.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was “absolutely distraught” about what happened.
“These scenes have been broadcast around the globe of the rioting right across the UK and in our main city,” she said.
“It’s hugely damaging to our reputation but it’s also incredibly damaging to our community.”
The Alliance leader said people were afraid to go outside of their homes “because of the colour of their skin, or because of their religion or because of their perceived background, because they’re afraid that they will be attacked on the streets”.
Opposition leader Matthew O’Toole said the assembly needed to “stand with those targeted”.
“This is a time for leadership, not for pandering to extreme and harmful elements,” he said.
