Northern Ireland political parties united in condemnation of racist attacks in Belfast
The Executive has warned those involved in "causing chaos and destruction" in Northern Ireland that they "will be dealt with by the full force of the law".
Ministers issued a statement saying they "stand united in our call for an end to the violence" which has taken place over recent days, following a meeting at Stormont Castle.
"All criminality will be addressed with a zero-tolerance approach," it said.
"We all see the devastating impact these attacks have had on victims, their families and our communities. Those involved in violence, intimidation, in causing chaos and destruction, will be dealt with by the full force of the law.
"People are entitled to take part in peaceful protests and to raise concerns, but there is no justification for racism in any form or for acts of violence and destruction."
They also welcomed a briefing from PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.
"We acknowledge the challenges facing the PSNI and the request for additional funding to help them meet the demands on their officers," the statement continued.
"We will be working across our departments and agencies in our response and we will continue to press the Treasury for fair funding to deliver the best possible public services."
Meanwhile Stormont MLAs returned from summer recess for an Assembly sitting to discuss recent scenes of violent disorder on the streets of Belfast.
They backed a motion condemning recent disorder in Northern Ireland.
During the debate, minister for justice Naomi Long said the violence and racist attacks in recent days is “not reflective” of the vast majority of people living in communities.
“We’ve seen people intimidated from their homes, where we’ve seen their businesses attacked, where we’ve seen their accommodation being set alight, where we have seen them being abused and assaulted in the street,” Ms Long added.
“That violence is not representative of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. It does not reflect the value that we place on the diversity of our community, but it nevertheless is hugely impactful on those who feel vulnerable in the face of those attacks.
“We need to call it for what it is. It is racism, it is Islamophobia, it is xenophobia.
“If we’re going to deal with it, we need to name it for what it is, and we need to challenge it. I’m glad that as an Executive, we are willing to do that collectively today.”
Executive ministers gathered at Stormont Castle on Thursday morning before the Northern Ireland Assembly sitting at noon.
At a press conference ahead of the Assembly meeting, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Justice Minister Naomi Long and PSNI Chief Constable presented a united front against the recent violence.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said there is no place for racism in Northern Ireland. Speaking after an Executive meeting at Stormont Castle on Thursday, Ms O’Neill said: “We are unequivocally collective in our determination to say no to racism, and stand firmly united in terms of what we see unfolding in front of us. “There is no place in our society for racism in any of its forms. The racist attacks on people, on businesses and homes are absolutely wrong, and have created such a deep fear. A fear that I think perhaps none of us have every seen before among many parts of our community. “There are many people feeling extremely vulnerable, feeling fearful, fearful for their families. “We have mothers who are afraid to walk their children to the park, we have children who are afraid to go to youth clubs and to schemes. We have healthcare workers that are afraid to go to work. We have nurses that are afraid to go home and that is not acceptable. “That is the real, human impact of this type of activity, this type of racist activity in our society. It speaks volumes in terms of hate because that is what it is and it must stop. “Those responsible must and will face the full rigours of the force of the law.”
The first minister said there was “no doubt” policing resource in Northern Ireland is under pressure. “This is a result of 14 years of Tory austerity. But there’s a collective will on all of our part, as has always been the number one issue from we formed this Executive, that we would fight for good public services and more funding for public services,” the First Minister added. “But let’s also be very clear, this is racist activity. This didn’t occur because policing was under-resourced last night or last Saturday night or last Sunday night. “We what we need to do in the here and now is deal with the problem that we have in front of us, and that this activity that we see, criminal activity, orchestrated activity on our streets.
“Today, our effort is to send out that very clear message to the all those people out there that have been impacted, that we say no to this, that we say no to racism.” She added: “There’s no excuse for racism. That’s it. That’s as clear cut a statement I can make. “You can’t mount any credible argument that justifies intimidation and violence targeted towards our minority and ethnic communities. There is no place for racism in society. There is no excuse for it, and there’s no dressing it up.” Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said there will be a “joint and robust” response to any violence and disorder in Northern Ireland. “Today, we are collectively sending a strong and united message against violence, disorder and racism.
“We’ve been engaging throughout the week with the chief constable (Jon Boutcher) with agencies and we will continue to do so. “Make no mistake, there will be a joint and robust response to any continued disorder. “Violence is wrong. Disorder is not acceptable. Concerns must always be addressed through democratic processes. We must do everything we have to de-escalate the current situation, and we urge all to work to achieve that. “We’ve reached out to those who have been affected by the attacks and violence and offering our full support.”
She added: “We want our minority communities to know that we are fully supportive of those incredible people throughout our community, from right across this globe, coming here to Northern Ireland and providing really good services to people here. “It is deeply disturbing to hear that some of the healthcare staff, who have come here to Northern Ireland, are considering leaving due to fears for their safety. “On a visit to Causeway Hospital, I met with overseas staff to reassure them and to show solidarity to them, recognising the importance of those staff to all of us here. “Our health service relies on many of those highly trained and skilled workers who come here and make a huge contribution.”
Justice Naomi Long said the violence and racist attacks in recent days is “not reflective” of the vast majority of people living in communities. “We’ve seen people intimidated from their homes, where we’ve seen their businesses attacked, where we’ve seen their accommodation being set alight, where we have seen them being abused and assaulted in the street,” Ms Long added. “That violence is not representative of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. It does not reflect the value that we place on the diversity of our community, but it nevertheless is hugely impactful on those who feel vulnerable in the face of those attacks. “We need to call it for what it is. It is racism, it is Islamophobia, it is xenophobia. “If we’re going to deal with it, we need to name it for what it is, and we need to challenge it. I’m glad that as an Executive, we are willing to do that collectively today.”
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said those involved in crimes will be pursued with the full force of the law. He slammed the “lies, misinformation and absolute nonsense spread online” following the murder of three girls in Southport, saying it led to the scenes across the country. “The PSNI will deal with this disorder. Those people who have come out to commit these hateful crimes will be pursued with the full force of the law,” he said. “We have arrested 16 people thus far, 11 have been charged and in custody. “As we speak, we are going to addresses to arrest people for the disorder on Saturday night. We will be putting out images today of others that we have yet to identify who committed these crimes. There is no place in society for this. “I have met the leadership of the Muslim communities, but all our migrant communities, all our diverse communities feel under threat. They feel a fear of the like I have not seen in over 40 years of policing. That’s not just here, that’s across the country. This has got to stop and we will stop it. “Think of those communities, support those communities. Everyone in Northern Ireland needs to do that. This is one of the safest places to live in the United Kingdom. It’s one of the greatest places to live in the United Kingdom.”
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions lead a rally outside Parliament Buildings in opposition to the rioting seen in the capital on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday evenings following anti-immigration protests.
The Stand Against Racism Unite in Hope rally saw banners reading “refugees welcome” and “hate is never the answer” held aloft in front of Parliament Buildings. Paddy Mackel, chairman of NIC-ICTU, commended those who have “literally and metaphorically put their arms around those attacked in the last week”. “It has been a magnificent response from the community and community organisations – that is the best face of Belfast in action,” he told those gathered. “We also stand united in demanding action from the Assembly, the Executive, the UK government and the police. All workers deserve their support, deserve their protection and they deserve respect. “In our society, we welcome all workers, all people regardless of your skin colour, your religion, your ethnicity, your gender, your country of orientation, political beliefs or country of origin.” Police and members of the public have been attacked and two businesses owned by people from a minority ethnic background have been destroyed in south Belfast. There have also been incidents in north and west Belfast. There was further disorder on Wednesday night, with police coming under attack in east Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it has asked for support, submitting a request to National Police Co-ordination Centre for additional officers from across the United Kingdom to support the policing operation.
Police said five arrests were made after bins were set alight blocking Connswater Street, and officers came under attack. One police officer was injured. There have been 16 arrests in total. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said the Mutual Aid officers will provide vital resilience and support and will be given all of the necessary equipment and familiarisation training. It comes amid widespread disorder across the UK which appears to have been sparked by misinformation spread online following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport. A senior Police Service of Northern Ireland officer earlier this week said a paramilitary element is suspected of co-ordinating violence in Belfast. On Monday, four men linked to disorder on Saturday appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, while a 15-year-old boy appeared before the same court on Wednesday charged with rioting. All were remanded. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hilary Benn condemned “racist violence” in Belfast in recent days and stressed that it “does not represent Northern Ireland”. He said it should be a cause of shame that some people currently do not feel safe in their own homes, and urged those behind the disorder to stop. MLAs will debate a motion condemning “criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days”. The motion also calls on Ms O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to finalise the draft Refugee Integration Strategy and associated delivery plan, to bring forward the renewed Race Relations Order, and set out the process of replacing the Racial Equality Strategy 2015/25 by the end of 2024.
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