Outburst of Violence in Northern Ireland Driven by Racism

• Protesters attacked the police, resulting in injuries to 63 law enforcement officers.
• The riots began due to rumors of an attempted rape, provoking racist sentiments.
• The rise of xenophobia after Brexit intensifies social conflicts in the region.

This is reported by Deutsche Welle, The Guardian.

Violence in Northern Ireland

For the fifth consecutive day, Northern Ireland has witnessed clashes between protesters and police. Anti-immigrant demonstrations led to attacks on law enforcement officers, who were pelted with stones, firecrackers, and bottles.

The police responded with water cannons to disperse the crowds. According to reports, 63 police officers were injured during these events, and 15 people were arrested, four of whom were minors.

Causes of the Riots

The riots were sparked by reports of an attempted rape of a young girl by two teenagers in the town of Ballymena. This incident provoked a strong reaction from the population, which believes that foreigners have "taken over" their communities.

According to reports, many families were forced to hide in their homes during the riots, and the police called for calm. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill stated that such attacks are absolutely unacceptable.

Social and Political Factors

In recent years, there has been a rise in racism and xenophobia in Northern Ireland, especially following Brexit. Politicians from various parties condemned the violence, yet some continue to fuel myths about immigration.

The recent events also demonstrated how social media is used to organize protests and promote violence. Videos of the riots are actively circulated online, exacerbating tensions within society.

Теги: Європа/Злочинність