Race on the Agenda stands in solidarity with every Black and Global Majority person, migrant community, and refugee family caught up in the violence that swept through Belfast last night.
What we witnessed was not a protest. This was an organised racist terror – masked men burning homes and vehicles, attacking businesses, and screaming that they wanted “foreigners out.”
These are racist hate crimes. They should be recognised, prosecuted, and addressed accordingly.
The stabbing that preceded these riots was a serious criminal matter and the law must take its course. But no crime is a justification for burning out families and targeting people based on their skin colour. None. The communities being terrorised last night committed no crime.
They deserve safety, dignity, and the full protection of the state.
We are concerned about the role of the far-right in inciting and coordinating this violence. This is a pattern we know well from the summer of 2024.
Misinformation spreads, communities are scapegoated, and the most vulnerable people are made targets. The political conditions that allowed last summer’s riots to happen have not been addressed. Last night is the consequence.
We remain concerned about about how some politicians continue to use irresponsible language, that only serves to divide us.
This is political opportunism, plain and simple.
We call on the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to take urgent action to protect Black and Global Majority communities in Belfast and across Northern Ireland.
Finally, we call on community leaders, faith institutions, civil society and the wider public, to stand firmly against the narrative that all migrants and refugees are a threat a narrative that has no basis in fact and every basis in hatred.
Race on the Agenda will continue to monitor developments and stand with those affected.