LAST UPDATE | 3 Aug
PSNI RIOT OFFICERS were deployed to anti-immigrant protests and counter protests in Belfast.
Two arrests have been made and the PSNI said it is “aware of a number of reports of criminal damage which we are currently treating as hate crimes”.
The PSNI added that it is continuing to “deal with protest activity and sporadic disorder in the South Belfast area”.
A social media post circulated this week called on protestors to gather at Belfast City Hall before marching to the Belfast Islamic Centre.
A group carrying a sign reading “Coolock Says No” was visible at the protest outside Belfast City Hall.
Chants of “Islam Out” were also heard outside City Hall.
A small number of fireworks were also thrown amid tense exchanges between the anti-immigrant protestors and an anti-racism rally.
The anti-Islamic demonstration then travelled towards the university area of the city where there were clashes with residents of the Lower Ormeau area.
A cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by the crowd as they made their way through south Belfast and windows in a hotel on University Road were smashed.
They then moved towards the mainly nationalist Lower Ormeau area of the city where there were angry clashes with local residents.
Police in riot gear and holding shields moved in formation, sending the protesters up University Road and away from the Ormeau Road.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, who helped organise the counter protest, remarked that “racist agitators are trying to intimidate members of our local Muslim community and we all have a duty to oppose them”.
The PSNI had said it was “aware” of planned protests and church leaders in the North said plans to march to the Belfast Islamic Centre were “abhorrent”.
Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said earlier this week that the PSNI were “aware of specific calls to block roads using women and children between 12 midday to 2pm in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Bangor and north, south, east and west Belfast.”
He added: “It is unclear at this time what the actual provenance for these posts or appetite for this activity is.
“We will continue to plan a proportionate policing response and will continue to engage with those groups likely to be affected by any protest activity.”
In a statement today, the PSNI said it is responding to several planned protests and “will be in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone involved”.
The spokesperson added that “officers will remain in the area and continue to monitor the situation”.
The M5 motorway is closed at Hazelbank due to the protests, and College Square East and Wellington Place in Belfast are also closed.
The lane to Shore Road from Fortwilliam roundabout in north Belfast is also closed due to protests in the area.
The roads have since re-opened.
Riot police have been deployed across the UK as planned protests have begun after a night of violence in Sunderland.
The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.
The riots came after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Merseyside on Monday.
-With additional reporting from Press Association
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