The Northern Ireland Assembly approved a motion today, Thursday, August 8, in response to the recent disorder in Belfast, while the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced more than 20 people have been arrested in connection so far.
The Northern Ireland Assembly backed a motion today that was put forth by the Alliance Party on Monday in response to the violence and disorder in Belfast that erupted on Saturday.
More nights of disorder and violence have since followed since the motion was put forth.
The motion, which was ultimately approved today, reads:
“That this Assembly condemns the criminal damage and targeting of businesses at the weekend; rejects all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism; endorses the work of voluntary sector organisations combatting racism and supporting those impacted by it; recognises that Police Service of Northern Ireland resources are stretched and could have been much more effectively deployed elsewhere; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister, by the end of 2024, to finalise the draft Refugee Integration Strategy and associated Thematic Delivery Plan, to bring forward work on the renewed Race Relations Order and to set out the process of replacing the current, outdated Racial Equality Strategy.”
During Thursday's meeting of the Assembly, the DUP put forward an amendment to the motion which sought to add:
"[That this Assembly] believes the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of any democracy and must be protected; stresses in equal measure that those who resort to violence and orchestrate public disorder on our streets should face the full rigour of the law.”
The amendment was rejected by a vote of 43 to 28.
The Northern Ireland Assembly, which is on recess until September, met on Thursday after a recall motion was approved on Monday.
As the Assembly met on Thursday, crowds gathered at the steps of Stormont for the 'Stand Against Racism Unite in Hope' rally, which was organized by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Northern Ireland Committee.
— NIC ICTU (@NIC_ICTU) August 8, 2024
Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Thursday that it made five more arrests and dealt with a number of race-related hate crime, incidents, and disorder in Belfast on Wednesday night.
The arrests, the PSNI said, were made after bins were set on fire blocking Connswater Street in east Belfast with items thrown at tactical support officers.
Officers also dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to homes and cars in the Silverstream Road, Sandy Row, and Upper Frank Street areas.
The five men - aged 33, 32, and two aged 25 and 18 - were all arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour with some also detained on disorderly behaviour, possession of a petrol bomb, and resisting arrest. They were in custody as of Thursday morning.
The PSNI noted that one officer was injured during the course of making one of these arrests and has been receiving medical attention at hospital.
In an update later on Thursday, the PSNI said that a total of 22 people have been arrested following a number of nights of disorder across Belfast, but said "further arrests will be made."
The PSNI also released six images of people they would like to speak with "in connection with our ongoing investigation into a number of incidents of disorder and attacks on Police officers since Saturday 3 August."
Thursday's updates came after the PSNI announced late on Wednesday that it would be "significantly mobilizing the service" and that it "submitted a request to National Police Co-ordination Centre for additional officers from across the United Kingdom to support the policing operation."
Separately, the PSNI said on Thursday that it is aware of "misinformation circulating on social media regarding advice to employers in Belfast city centre on Friday 9th August.
"This has not been issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland."
The PSNI added: "We are aware of planned protest activity throughout Northern Ireland tomorrow [Friday].
"We will have a significant policing operation in place, and are working hard to keep everyone safe, while supporting the right to peaceful protest."
On Friday, the 'Unity Over Division' march, described as an "anti-racism counter-protest," will assemble at Belfast City Hall from 4:30 pm. It is set to oppose an anti-immigration protest on Friday evening, also at Belfast City Hall.
On Saturday, the 'Belfast Welcomes Diversity' march, organized as part of the wider Coordinated Day of Protest to Stop the Far Right, plans to go from Writers Square to Belfast City Hall from 12 pm. This gathering has the support of more than 120 organizations, including the Belfast City Council.
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Ahead of the protests and rallies, Queen's University Belfast announced on Thursday that it would be closing its campus on Friday "to ensure staff and students travelling to campus are not put at any risk."
At Queen's, we abhor violence and condemn without reservation #Islamophobia, #Racism and #Xenophobia in all forms and the recent violence that has taken place in #Belfast.
Our President and @QUBVChancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, issued this statement today urging young people… pic.twitter.com/XgiYR7M0Fl
— Queen's University Belfast ? (@QUBelfast) August 8, 2024
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