There is a clear sense that the tide is turning in the battle against the racist extremists who have been trying to intimidate and even physically attack some of the most vulnerable sections of our society.
The enormous turnouts at the latest pro-diversity rallies in Belfast and Derry have sent out a strong message, and it is also clear that, after an uncertain early response, the police are finally getting to grips with violent law-breakers.
All the ordinary citizens who made the effort to attend the gatherings, and declare their opposition to the blatant racism which has been witnessed on the streets of Belfast in particular over recent weeks, deserve huge credit.
It should be stressed that, while assaulting people from minority groups and targeting their homes and businesses will not be tolerated, accommodating a range of views during the political debate on levels of immigration is essential.
However, the vast majority accept that the wider community not only needs but is enriched by those from different backgrounds and cultures, and it will be noted that, on the basis of aerial photographs, the much publicised anti-migrant protest at Belfast City Hall on Friday attracted less than 100 participants.
There can be no doubt that those who have taken their anger to a different level and become involved in rioting have been heavily influenced by entirely false claims which have been regularly circulating on social media.
The latest official statistics confirm that fewer than 3,000 individuals receive asylum support in Northern Ireland, a figure which in percentage terms is the lowest of any UK region and actually dropped over the last year, and it is long beyond time that the online platforms which spread malicious untruths are held to account on both sides of the Irish Sea, financially and legally.
A particularly sinister threat was made against Taoiseach Simon Harris and his family through an Instagram post, which was allowed to remain online last week for some days despite a request to remove it from An Garda Síochána.
New measures introduced through Dáil Éireann to deal with related issues are due to come into force later this year, and it must be hoped that the prospect of serious fines will force the main social media companies into a much more responsible stance.
The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has firmly indicated that he favours a similar approach to institutions which make massive profits while failing to prevent the dissemination of blatant falsehoods.
It is vital that the social media giants should immediately change their policies and ensure that they do not allow lies to be circulated, with disastrous results for ordinary men, women and children.
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