Belgravia Avenue, Belfast, where homes were targeted.
Romanian families living in the Lisburn Road area of Belfast have been targeted by local racists. Threats were directed at the Romanians... windows of homes smashed, in addition to other intimidation tactics.
According to the authorities there was no paramilitary involvement in the attacks. Both the UVF and UDA have spoken out and condemned the incidents.
An anti-racist demonstration staged to protest the attacks and show solidarity with the Romanians, was targeted by youths from the Village area. They threw stones and bottles at the protesters. They also chanted Combat 18 slogans. Despite the display of neo-Nazi sympathies, N.I. security sources say there is no evidence that Combat 18 has cells in the Greater Belfast area.
According to the authorities there was no paramilitary involvement in the attacks. Both the UVF and UDA have spoken out and condemned the incidents.
An anti-racist demonstration staged to protest the attacks and show solidarity with the Romanians, was targeted by youths from the Village area. They threw stones and bottles at the protesters. They also chanted Combat 18 slogans. Despite the display of neo-Nazi sympathies, N.I. security sources say there is no evidence that Combat 18 has cells in the Greater Belfast area.
Twenty Romanian families took shelter in a church that offered its hall as a refuge. Families have since been bussed to the Ozone leisure complex where they received needed support.
Romanian residents
forced from their homes.
forced from their homes.
A child in a church shelter.
Romanians outside
the Ozone leisure complex.
the Ozone leisure complex.
The Romanian families moved to N. Ireland hoping for a better life, but a number of these people have been so traumatized by what they have been through some question whether the only option is to return to Romania.
Immigrant Couaccu Siluis said:
The people who carried out these attacks are in no way representative of anything except a minority attitude. There has been broad condemnation of the attacks across the political spectrum.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long, had this to say:
N. Ireland has long been a predominantly homogeneous society. Now that a larger immigrant population is part of the mix, there are some people who have a problem with change. It's a minority view that doesn't reflect the broader community.
BBC report and video - here.
Immigrant Couaccu Siluis said:
We are not going back to our house. It is not safe. They made signs like they wanted to cut my brother's baby's throat. They said they wanted to kill us.
We are very scared. We have young children. We cannot go back. Possibly we could go back to Romania but we have no money. We have to stay here.
The people who carried out these attacks are in no way representative of anything except a minority attitude. There has been broad condemnation of the attacks across the political spectrum.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long, had this to say:
Belfast is growing rich in diversity with people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds making this city their home, and each and every citizen has the right to live free from fear and intimidation.
We cannot let a small minority of people detract from that, or allow them to drive people from their homes.
N. Ireland has long been a predominantly homogeneous society. Now that a larger immigrant population is part of the mix, there are some people who have a problem with change. It's a minority view that doesn't reflect the broader community.
BBC report and video - here.
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