Police in Northern Ireland deployed water cannon to disperse a crowd of about 300 anti-immigration protesters who burned a truck and threw bricks and other missiles near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey, eight miles north of Belfast, on Wednesday evening. This marked a second consecutive night of unrest linked to anti-immigration sentiment.
Unrest Spreads but Fewer Disturbances
Unrest was also reported in Derry, but overall disturbances appeared less severe than on Tuesday, when mobs targeted ethnic minorities following a knife attack in north Belfast that left a man severely injured on Monday night. Several advertised protests, including one at Belfast City Hall, failed to materialize. A protest at Stormont, the seat of the devolved government, drew several dozen people and passed off peacefully.
Protesters' Intentions
Many of the protesters at the Sandyknowes roundabout wore dark clothing and face coverings. They reportedly planned to target a nearby hotel believed to be hosting migrants. Police moved in with water cannon to scatter the crowd, which pelted police vans and riot shields with missiles. One young protester in a balaclava in the colors of the Union flag repeatedly stepped forward to take aim at police.
“Attention, attention, disperse immediately or water cannons will be used, no further warnings will be given,” blared from the police vehicles. An older woman seated at a bus stop between the police and protesters pulled up her hood to shield herself from the water. “She said she’s lived through the Troubles, she’s not going to move,” another woman said.
East Belfast Gathering
Dozens of protesters also gathered on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast, where on Tuesday night mobs burned vehicles and homes. The violence has raised tensions across the region.
Political Response
Ministers in the Stormont executive issued a joint statement condemning Tuesday night’s disorder, saying it had spread fear and risked innocent lives. “No community benefits from these actions. The incident in north Belfast on Monday was deeply shocking. While we understand the strength of feeling about what happened, it is now subject to legal proceedings and justice must be allowed to run its course.”
Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, was charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie. He was further charged with possessing a knife in a public place, Kinnaird Avenue, on the same day.
The ministers’ statement added that people were intent on wreaking destruction on the communities they claimed they were trying to protect. “They are weaponizing the genuine hurt, concern and anger that people are feeling for their own misguided purposes,” it said.
