Belfast disorder erupts with fears of more unrest as counter-protests triumph

08 August 2024 , 10:10

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Belfast disorder erupts with fears of more unrest as counter-protests triumph

Far-right thugs are feared to be plotting new chaos and violence in 11 areas after anti-racist counter protesters came out en masse across the UK last night

Another night of trouble in Belfast saw the city erupt in violence for a fifth day, with executives returning from their summer breaks for an Assembly to discuss an action plan.

It comes after petrol bombs, stones and bricks were thrown at police officers, locals were attacked, and two ethnic minority businesses were destroyed in south Belfast.

Elsewhere, peaceful Brits lined the streets in their thousands in a heartwarming display of unity against cowardly hate mobs.

Thousands of counter demonstrators - waving placards reading messages like "no room for racism" and "racists out, refugees in" - outnumbered the far-right across the country after they threatened carnage at more than 100 locations across the UK.

It is feared far-right thugs are plotting new chaos and violence in 11 areas - with locations for demos shared in secret Facebook groups to avoid police catching wind.

Yesterday saw far-right no-shows across the country as 41 police forces, including Metropolitan Police, had geared for another night of riots and anarchy.

Instead, scores of counter protesters gathered at the marches, including a large one in Walthamstow, northeast London, to show their support to refugees and call to curb racism.

More than 3,000 gathered in Bristol as banners read "fascists not welcome" and "racism is not patriotism". Newcastle and Birmingham saw similar scenes last night.

Elizabeth Baker