The night in Belfast was filled with violence as police were attacked with petrol bombs during the second night of far-right extremism in the area. The harrowing moment was captured on video, showing rioters throwing missiles at police vans in the Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas, setting some of the vehicles on fire.
In the footage, about a dozen rioters wearing balaclavas can be seen hurling petrol bombs, causing small fires around the vans. The situation escalated as one police vehicle was engulfed in flames, prompting other vans to retreat from the scene of the attack. Riot police were lined up in an attempt to control the situation, with multiple riot vans arriving at the scene.
A police message was broadcasted, warning the crowd to disperse as they were about to use force against the violent individuals. Despite the warning, the rioters continued their attack on the police, leading to chaos in the streets. The police took a ‘zero tolerance’ approach, sealing off streets in the area to maintain order.
The violence erupted amid a planned anti-immigration protest at the Clayton Hotel, which did not materialize as expected. The unrest resulted in several businesses being attacked, with owners claiming that the Islamic community was deliberately targeted. A store owned by a Syrian man was burnt down during the riot, causing significant damage.
Following the night of violence, the police issued warnings to the public to stay away from certain areas of the city as they dealt with the aftermath of the riots. Belfast was not the only city to experience such mass anti-immigration riots, as similar incidents were reported in other parts of the country. The situation escalated to the point where several individuals appeared in court on Monday to face charges related to the unrest.
The events in Belfast are a stark reminder of the tensions and conflicts that can arise in communities, especially in times of social and political unrest. It is crucial for authorities to address the root causes of such violence and work towards building a more inclusive and tolerant society for all individuals. The incidents also highlight the importance of peaceful dialogue and understanding in resolving differences and preventing further escalation of violence in the future.