Up to 20,000 Rally Against Racism in Belfast After 23 Arrests Over Week of Disorder
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 13
Up to 20,000 Rally Against Racism in Belfast After 23 Arrests Over Week of Disorder
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 13
Summary
Up to 20,000 people joined Belfast's "Together Against Hate" rally at City Hall on Saturday, with parallel protests also held in Londonderry after days of racist disorder.
23 arrests have been made so far after violence that targeted homes, businesses and vehicles, triggered when footage of Monday's north Belfast knife attack spread online; 17 people have been charged.
Speakers said families and children had fled in terror and accused police and Northern Ireland's political institutions of leaving refugee women and local groups to organize much of the response.
Residents from migrant communities said the rally eased fears after a traumatic week, while unions argued Westminster should fund anti-poverty measures to address conditions they said fuel racism.