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Date: 05 Aug 2024
Belfast City Council has this evening, at a special meeting of council, passed a motion in support of the people and businesses affected by violence during protests in the city on Saturday August 3.
The motion reads as follows:
“This council condemns the violent destruction and racist intimidation across the city, caused by far-right agitators on the streets of Belfast over the weekend.
“We stand in solidarity with those in our minority ethnic communities across the city, who own and run businesses, contribute to our culture and identity in Belfast and make Belfast an open and welcoming place to live, work and study.
“We reiterate our commitment to Belfast being a city of sanctuary for those fleeing war and persecution.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the attack in Southport last week and their families, they deserve justice.
“Those who would seek to exploit this tragic situation to suit their own malevolent ends do not speak for Belfast nor represent our city.”
It was also agreed that council officers would submit a report to a future special meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, as soon as possible, “to establish a programme of financial assistance for the business owners who were impacted by racist criminal attacks”.
Councillors also voted in favour of a motion supporting an anti-racism demonstration: “Council welcomes and officially supports the United Against Racism rally taking place in the City on Saturday, 10 August, 2024.”