Including members of the Workers Party of Ireland, thousands of people gathered on June 13, at an anti-racism protest in Belfast, after violence erupted across the city this week, after people's homes, businesses and vehicles were targeted by racists.
Workers Party of Ireland against racism
The "Together Against Hate" rally started at about 13:00 at Belfast City Hall. A number of political parties and trade unions were represented in the crowd, Workers Party among them. The protest was organised by United Against Racism. An anti-racism protest also took place at Londonderry's Guildhall.
Addressing the rally, Ivanka Antova, the chair of United Against Racism Belfast, said: "This week we witnessed something we will never forget. The scenes of families and young children fleeing their homes in terror. We'll never forget how rich and powerful people used their online platforms. There is nothing legitimate about racist pogroms, and racism has no place in our city."
Solidarity was extended to the hundreds of volunteers "who evacuated people, provided meals, and reassured frightened communities".
The riots were sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night, which left the victim with serious injuries, was shared widely on social media. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old originally from Sudan, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over the attack which left the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, with serious injuries.
Following the news, hundreds of masked people took to the streets and violence followed. Racist groups targeted and set fire to migrants' homes, vehicles, businesses. The riots were restricted to pockets of Belfast and other towns, but across Northern Ireland schools and shops closed early, and public transport shut down.