LAST UPDATE | 9 Aug 2024

CLOSE TO A thousand people gathered at Belfast City Hall for a counter protest this evening against several hundred anti-immigration demonstrators.

The people at the anti-immigration protest were seen holding signs with slogans such as “Shankill Road says no to illegal immigration” and chanting “Send them home”.

Meanwhile, trade union banners and signs with anti-racism messages are being held aloft among the counter protest.

Sinn Féin MLAs Gerry Kelly and Caral Ni Chuilin are among the counter protesters.

Solidarity triumphs over hate.#Belfast pic.twitter.com/GjSxCYJEsg

— Paul Doherty (@PaulDoherty___) August 9, 2024

There was a heavy police presence and barriers erected with the intention to keep the two gatherings apart.

However, by 7.30pm, most of the anti-immigration protesters had dispersed and the police presence had dwindled.

The area around the City Hall had been closed due to the protests but has since reopened to traffic.

People talking part in an anti-immigration protest in Belfast city centre. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Ahead of the protests, the PSNI appealed to the public not to allow criminals to hide in their communities following a fifth night of disorder in Belfast. 

The PSNI also acknowledged that this weekend will “undoubtedly be a very busy for policing across Northern Ireland” and additional resources from Police Scotland will arrive next week.

A spokesperson said there will be a “significant visible policing operation in place across Northern Ireland to ensure everyone is kept safe”. 

The spokesperson added that police will “ensure the safety of participants and to facilitate the lawful exercise of freedom of expression”.

However, the PSNI has also “urged those attending to engage with us”.

The PSNI has also warned that there is also “the risk of other spontaneous protests”.

Rioting erupted in Belfast on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday evenings following anti-immigration demonstrations in the city.

There was also further disorder last night, with reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and houses attacked in Belfast.

Ten officers have been injured amid the disorder.

The violent demonstrations saw restaurants, cafés, and shops belonging to people from a minority ethnic background being targeted.

Stormont, which was recalled to discuss the rioting yesterday, has condemned the disorder. 

Anti-immigration protest in Belfast city centre, as an anti-racism 'Unity Over Division' counter-protest is also took place. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

In total, 26 people so far have been arrested in relation to the disorder, with 22 charged. 

Four men appeared in court today charged in relation to riots in the city, all of whom were remanded in custody.

The PSNI has said it expects to make further arrests in the coming hours and today arrested several people, including a 55-year-old man in Belfast on suspicion of publishing written material intended to stir up hatred.

Police also arrested a 53-year-old man under the Terrorism Act and both have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

Fifth night of disorder

The PSNI said it dealt with further race-related hate crime, incidents and disorder last night.

They said officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property, including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street in south Belfast, while windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street.

Meanwhile, in east Belfast a number of bins were set on fire in Castlereagh Street and police were attacked by a group of masked men who threw bricks and masonry at officers in Flora Street. No officers sustained any injuries.

PSNI officers line the streets in Belfast today as two protests are scheduled to take place. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “Our officers dealt with a fifth night of incidents such as criminal damage, disorder and arson.

Those who are intent on causing disorder or committing offences, need to think of the consequences of their actions.

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Yesterday, police released images of six people they want to speak to in connection with recent disorder and attacks on officers in Belfast.

Jones said one of the individuals has since been identified. She thanked the public for their assistance and urged people to look at the images and inform the police if they can identify any of the individuals. 

“I am also appealing to the public directly, do not let these criminals hide in your community,” she said.

“Anyone with any information which can help identify any of these individuals should contact us.”

College closed 

Ahead of anticipated further demonstrations in the city, Queen’s University in Belfast said it has closed its campus, including its public facilities, as a precautionary measure “to ensure staff and students travelling to and from campus are not put at any risk”.

In a statement, it said staff and students have been informed of interim support and learning measures.

Appealing directly to those involved in the recent disturbances, Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “At Queen’s, we abhor violence and condemn without reservation islamophobia, racism and xenophobia in all forms.

At Queen's, we abhor violence and condemn without reservation #Islamophobia, #Racism and #Xenophobia in all forms and the recent violence that has taken place in #Belfast.

Our President and @QUBVChancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, issued this statement today urging young people… pic.twitter.com/XgiYR7M0Fl

— Queen's University Belfast 🎓 (@QUBelfast) August 8, 2024

He said the university is “committed to diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging, and to our campus being a safe, secure environment for all staff and students”.

“I urge young people who might become involved in violence to understand that the biggest threat to your future prospects does not come from people fleeing persecution in other parts of the world, or from committed international staff who underpin the Health Service, or from families, like yours, who wish to live in peace and contribute to society here.

Rather, the biggest threat to your future prospects, and the greatest threat to your safety, comes from those who believe that violence is the answer, and that damage and destruction brings progress.

“None of this is true. We all want to see Belfast as a place that offers opportunities for you and your future. Violence will not achieve this. Progress comes through cooperation and dialogue.”

Earlier this week, the PSNI said it would be significantly scaling-up the number of officers on the ground and that it has requested that additional officers be sent from Britain to help deal with the disorder. 

A Major Incident Public Portal has been established for people to submit information, images and footage. This can be shared with police here.