The demonstrations in Northern Ireland follow two nights of anti-immigrant violence triggered by a recent stabbing incident.
Published On 13 Jun 2026
Thousands of citizens across Northern Ireland have taken to the streets to protest against anti-immigrant violence, which was ignited by a stabbing incident in Belfast.
On Saturday, large crowds gathered outside Belfast City Hall, carrying placards with messages such as “Hate is the only threat to our streets” and “Belfast stands against racism.” Similar anti-racism demonstrations were also reported at the Londonderry (Derry) City Hall, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
The unrest in Belfast followed two nights of civil disorder and racial violence. The tension escalated after social media footage of a Monday night knife attack—depicting a man attacking another individual in the street—went viral.
Sudanese national Hadi Alodid appeared in court on Wednesday, facing charges of attempted murder in relation to the attack on Stephen Ogilvie, who remains hospitalized.
During the rally organized by the Unite Against Racism group, 63-year-old protester Hilary Hunter expressed her distress to the AFP news agency, stating she was “disgusted” by the recent events in the country.
“Everyone is here to demonstrate that the people causing these problems do not represent us,” she remarked.
Patrick Corrigan, the Northern Ireland director for Amnesty International UK, described the event as one of the largest anti-racism rallies ever held in Belfast, aimed at delivering a clear message of solidarity.
Corrigan emphasized that despite the recent violence, the majority of Belfast’s population remains anti-racist and welcoming toward migrants and minorities. He noted that the community wants these residents to feel safe and stay.
However, Corrigan criticized the authorities for their lack of preparedness, noting that this marks the third consecutive summer of racist violence. He argued that despite warnings, the Northern Ireland authorities were caught off guard.
To prevent further incidents, Corrigan called for decisive political leadership, extending from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to local Northern Ireland leaders. He stated that mere verbal condemnations from the Prime Minister have proven insufficient to address the crisis.
Targeted by Racial Identity
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn remarked on Thursday that the recent rioting has instilled significant fear within communities. He noted reports of individuals being intimidated and even driven from their homes by masked attackers based solely on the color of their skin.
Benn also highlighted unacceptable reports of motorists being intercepted and questioned about their nationality while commuting to work.
Seamas de Faoite, a local councillor for the SDLP, stated that the turnout was a response to the public’s horror at the recent racist violence. He added that various organizations are working urgently to find housing for those too terrified to return to their homes.
Immigration remains a highly sensitive political issue in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, contributing to the growth of right-wing movements such as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Both nations have experienced frequent anti-immigration protests in recent years, some of which have resulted in violence.