Opinion
11 Jun 26

'Together Against Hate' solidarity rallies to take place this weekend

United Against Racsim Protest

The solidarity rallies are being held in response to the two nights of anti-migrant protests in Belfast.

Several 'Together Against Hate' solidarity rallies will take place this weekend in response to the two nights of anti-migrant protests in Belfast.

Rallies in Guildhall Square, Derry, and Belfast City Hall will take place on Saturday, followed by a rally at the GPO in Dublin on Sunday.

The protests have been fuelled by anti-immigrant and racist sentiments. They were sparked by the circulation of a video showing the assault on a local on Monday by a man whom police later identified as Sudanese. For two consecutive nights, houses, cars and buses were set on fire.

People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin will be attending in Derry, "to reject hate and division."

"The far-right has exploited a tragedy to launch a pogrom in Belfast," he said.

"The DUP must take responsibility for the racist terror that's been unleashed. Just like Farage, Trump and Musk have fueled the lies, misinformation, and misplaced anger at every opportunity."

"The DUP continues to give cover to the thugs burning families out of their homes by claiming they have legitimate concerns. This is punching down, and there is no one more committed to punching down than the DUP."

DUP MP Gregory Campbell appeared on NewsTalk Breakfast today and condemned the violence as "totally deplorable" and praised police for doing a "reasonably good job", adding that he hopes there will be no further riots or vandalism.

"We can then address the fundamental problem, which is the virtually uncontrolled immigration, where we have an increasing population in the UK, and we don't have the services to provide for them," he argued.

United Against Racism Belfast have said they "want to send the biggest, loudest, most unified message that we will not tolerate race riots in our city."

Joined by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Northern Ireland (NIC-ICTU), who have endorsed the rally, they are encouraging trade unionists to join them in Dublin on Sunday as well.

"It will be through a united workers' movement that this hate will be defeated," said UAR.

"We are happy to see trade union endorsement for the Belfast rally, and we are encouraging trade unionists to come out on Sunday too."

"We encourage everyone reading this to take the same responsibility and ownership over anti-racism, and actively fight against racism wherever they see it. This is a fight that needs to be carried out by everyone."