Riot police have been deployed in Belfast city today amid anti-immigrant protests and counter-protests.
Hundreds of people have turned up at both protests in front of Belfast City Hall this afternoon.
The PSNI has set up two separate sections in front of the city hall for each group.
A line of public order officers also formed along the middle of the road to prevent protestors from reaching one another.
Fireworks have been thrown and videos online show both protest groups yelling at each other.
??Fireworks flying past our heads here at Belfast City Hall.
Strong langauge on this video again. https://t.co/0G1eLau4SW
— James (@jamesgould23) August 3, 2024
Chants heard include “refugees welcome here” from anti-racism protestors and “Islam out” from the rivalling crowds.
Riot police have moved to completely close off access to the roads near city hall.
Protestors had planned to march on Belfast’s Islamic Centre amid growing anti-immigration protests in the UK.
People were also seen carrying ‘Coolock Says No’ posters on the anti-immigration.
The counter-protest was organised “in response to attacks on Muslim communities in England and planned Islamophobic protests in Belfast”, according to Amnesty.
Union leader Mick Lynch spoke at the anti-racism rally earlier, saying society will not be “divided” by anti-immigrant attitudes.
“We won’t let these people get amongst us and cause us to hate each other - we love each other because we are the working people,” he told crowds.
“We will not allow the right wing to dominate our working-class communities.”
??I'm in Belfast today. Stay tuned for updates. https://t.co/b0NI10ANQ8
— James (@jamesgould23) August 3, 2024
PSNI said it will remain in attendance at protests to “ensure the safety of everyone involved”.
Several roads are closed including the M5 motorway at Hazelbank, College Square East and Wellington Place.
People are advised to seek alternative routes for their journeys.
There have been protests across the UK against immigrants following the killing of three young girls in Southport.
There are almost 30 protests planned across England, Wales and Scotland this weekend, with some protests that have already taken place described as "appalling" and "unacceptable" by police.
Additional reporting by James Gould
