South Belfast attacks treated as hate crimes

Police are investigating “hate crimes” and have made two arrests after “criminal damage” was caused during riots in south Belfast on Saturday.

The demonstration came after anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters clashed in tense scenes outside city hall.

The crowd chanted to each other as riot police were deployed.

Later, a cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by a mob of anti-immigration protesters as they headed towards the Holylands area of ​​south Belfast.

Protesters threw missiles at members of the media.

A police message warned the crowd to disperse as “force was about to be used.”

Police said on Saturday night that they “continue to deal with sporadic protest activity and disorder in the south Belfast area and are aware of a number of reports of criminal damage which we are currently treating as hate crimes”.

Windows were broken and furniture was smashed at the cafe on Botanic Avenue.

The owner told BBC News NI he was “speechless”.

‘With no reason’

Rahmi, who has been in Belfast for 35 years, said she did not “know how to explain” what happened to her children.

He said he was not “blaming anyone” but said there was “no security whatsoever” and felt there could have been more police presence when “the parade was passing through” the area.

He added that it was “terrible” that his business had been targeted “for no reason”.

Karl Duncan, from Londonderry, was in the city centre earlier and saw fireworks being set off by protesters.

He said he “landed right next to me” and a woman and “got out” and “hurt her” before “she hit the ground.”

He said the woman fell to the ground “very hard.”

“We have to send a message and say that anti-immigrant protesters do not represent this place,” he said.

Notice to disperse

A large police cordon has been installed on all streets around the city’s Islamic center.

On Friday, church leaders in Northern Ireland said they were “horrified” by calls for “anti-Islam” protests this weekend.

Several social media posts were shared calling for people to gather and block roads in the greater Belfast area and elsewhere.

Police said they were aware of the social media posts and were planning a “proportionate police response”.