Northern Ireland is in flames. Water cannons, Molotov cocktails, police burning and warnings: “We are on the verge of a racial crime”
The images with a policeman in flames, after a protester threw in him with an incendiary bottle illustrate the violence of protests broke out in Ballymen, who then encompassed more cities. “The hideous face of racism has again made its appearance on our streets.”
Policeman burning, at the violent protests in Northern Ireland. Photo: video capture
“We are on the verge of a crime motivated by racial hatred” It was the warning launched during a demonstration organized at the Belfast City Hall, following a series of violent attacks with racist character in several cities in Northern Ireland.
Hundreds of people participated in the protest of the organization “United Against Racism” (“united against racism”), as a reaction to recent incidents in Ballymen, Portadown and Londonderry, where several acts of vandalism and violence were attributed to extremist groups, informs BelfastThelegraph.
The spark of violence against immigrants and especially against the Romanian community started from two boys with Romanian citizenship, aged, who were accused of seizing and raped a 14 -year -old girl in Ballymen.
Against the background of a tense social situation, say activists, extremism and xenophobia seem to find fertile ground, so, starting on Tuesday night, Northern Ireland is in flames and in their own and figuratively, after more and more protesters, incited by racist messages on social networks, have resorted to vandalism and violence.
In Belfast, Patrick Corrigan, representative of Amnesty International, warned those who came to a manifestation against violence that it is only one step until the crime.
“The hideous face of racism has again made its appearance on our streets. We are very close to a tragedy,” he said.
In addition to mere citizens and activists for the rights of immigrants, more politicians, including the deputy mayor of the Belfast, Paul Doherty, who harshly criticized the Minister of Communities, Gordon Lyons, participated in the meeting, after a controversial post, which revealed the waters to socialize a Larne center where the Romanian could have been housed. Thus, Paul Doherty cataloged Lyons as “an absolute shame” and asked for his resignation.
Ivanka Antova, President United Against Racism Belfast, condemned the attacks and said that his organization would fight hatred.
“Those responsible for racist violence have nothing to offer apart from hatred and fear, and we will oppose them with every step.” she said.
The meeting comes after the police were attacked on Friday evening after the violence outbreak in Portadown, and the images with an officer filled after a gasoline bomb was thrown around the world.
The protesters used projectiles against law enforcement, everything that failed in their hand, including stones, bricks and bottles, their violence continued until late, midnight, when PSNi used a water cannon against the crowd, in an attempt to disperse the people gathered on West Street.
“It is deeply discouraging to see a small minority resorting to violence and disorders. I unequivocally condemn these actions and call again to calm, restraint and respect,” said Carla Lockhart, deputy after Portadown.
And in other cities, acts of violence and vandalism were reported, while the anti-revolt police intervened in another rally in the Tullyally in Londonderry area, triggered by the statement of a senior officer who said there would be a “enlarged” police presence in the Northern Ireland, anticipating additional disorders over the weekend.
