Thousands attend anti-racism rally in Belfast

Around 5,000 people have attended an anti-racism rally in Belfast city centre.

It took place outside Belfast City Hall following days of unrest provoked by a knife attack earlier this week.

The rally was organised by United Against Racism and supported by trade unions, including the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, Unison, the INTO, the NUJ and the Ulster Teachers Union.

The crowd chanted "we are Belfast" and "refugees are welcome here".

Organisers and people attending the rally said they wanted to show that recent riots in the city do not represent Belfast.

Israel Eguaogie, originally from Nigeria, said: "I've been here since 2006 and this is not a representation of Belfast, that I know.

Ms Eguaogie, who works with Belfast, City Of Sanctuary, said the people of the city are "welcoming" and "supportive".

"We've seen that in 2024 during the riots, they turned up in a mass last year," she said.

"Look around you again. This is the Belfast that I know, a welcoming place that I have called home. This is my home," she added.

Carmel Gates, of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, praised frontline workers, including healthcare workers, firefighters, bus drivers and teachers who helped those targeted in racist attacks this week.

Speaking from the platform, she said: "I got a call from a government minister who asked what he could do.

"The only practical thing that Westminster can do is provide money to tackle the poverty that fuels racism."

Among those from minority a background attending the rally were two students from England, who say Belfast is a welcoming city.

Kobe said: "I've been here 10 months and my experience here so far has been - up until the last week - has been amazing.

"There's really good people around here."

Esther, who has been in Belfast since 2023, said: "It's been really friendly, you know, and there's been a lot of solidarity, especially when it comes to things like fighting against racism and gender inequality and things like that.

"But this week in particular has just been really dark and when I stepped outside for the first time yesterday, it was so quiet.

"I didn't see not one person of colour all day."

Some speakers on the platform criticised the police, saying they had not done enough to protect people or prevent racist attacks.

Cara Bell, 32, and Matthew Richardson, 33, got married in the City Hall while the rally was under way and after their ceremony, they came out to join the crowd.

Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Richardson said: "We kind of knew that there would likely be a protest on the wedding day as it's a Saturday and we were just glad that it was one that we obviously support."

Ms Bell said: "We would have been down here if we weren't getting married."

She said the unrest over the last couple of days has been "really awful to witness", adding: "I think it's important to note that things like today really show that this is not the general feeling of people in Belfast.

"I do think, on the whole, people in Belfast are welcoming and friendly," she added.

Ms Bell said it has been "a week where you've seen the worst of humanity and the best of humanity in Belfast".

Among those speaking at the demonstration was leader of the Opposition SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole, who said that earlier this week, he could have "cried with anger, fear, and frustration at the hate on our streets".

"I could cry now but cry with joy at this demonstration of anti-racism, of solidarity and of opposition to hate on our streets," he added.

Elaine Crory from the WRDA also delivered a speech, telling attendees: "All it takes is for one person who's not white and local to commit a crime and that fire of racism is rekindled."

She said this will happen because "the root cause of the problem" is not being tackled, adding that the police have arrested "fewer people than were officially made homeless".

The PSNI said it arrested 23 people over the disorder - 17 of whom have been charged to court.

Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast Róis-Máire Donnelly also spoke after saying earlier this week she had been visited by the police and warned of a threat to her life.

Ms Donnelly told the crowd the city is "stronger" because of its diversity, adding: "The Belfast I know is resilient, compassionate and welcoming."

During the demonstration, one speaker referred to "the world's first trillionaire Elon Musk", which was met with boos from the crowd.

Online posts from people, including Mr Musk who owns the social media platform X, had highlighted demands for people to take to the streets in the wake of Monday's attack.

Mal O'Hara, of the Green Party, told the crowd: "When I saw the video, my first thought was with Stephen Ogilvie and his family and those who witnessed that horrific attack.

"But immediately afterwards a chill went down my spine because I knew the racist and fascist manipulators would use it as an excuse to attack people, and so they did."

The demonstration lasted for just under two hours.

Before it began, organisers had posted "protest safety tips" to their social media account, informing attendees to "stay calm, focused and peaceful".

Speakers at the rally also called on the Stormont Executive to support communities affected by the violence.

All of the speakers from the platform condemned the attack on Stephen Ogilvie on Monday night and expressed sympathy with him and his family, and condemned the violence which followed.

On Wednesday, Mr Ogilvie's family said that they were "disgusted" by the scenes of the disorder that unfolded across Northern Ireland.

Additional reporting PA