Belfast 'The racist capital of Europe'

Thousands of workers across Northern Ireland were urged today to take to the streets against racism as they have against sectarianism in the past.

Anti-Racism Network spokesman Davy Carlin issued the appeal on the eve of a rally at Belfast City Hall which will coincide with the UK Holocaust Memorial Day.

Following a recent rise in racial attacks and threats in the North, Mr Carlin said Belfast was “fast acquiring a name for itself as the racist capital of Europe.

“That is how it is being portrayed in the international press.

“What we would like to see is the community turning out like it has done in the past against sectarianism.

“We want to see a cross community collective voice against racism in the tradition of the anti-sectarian rallies in this city.”

Tomorrow’s rally is being supported by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

It follows a spate of racial attacks in south Belfast in recent months which have seen members of the Chinese, Pakistani, Ugandan and Filipino communities targeted in recent weeks.

Earlier this month a 6ft wooden plank was pushed through a double-glazed window of a house in the loyalist Village area of south Belfast where a Pakistani man and his eight-month pregnant sister-in-law had just moved.

Pipe bombs were also thrown into the homes of black families in the Village last summer and last month Chinese and Ugandan homes were attacked.

A local estate agent also reported last week he had been ordered not to rent properties to ethnic minorities.

Mr Carlin said while the focus had been on recent attacks in south Belfast, it was important to remember people were encountering racial bigotry and harassment throughout Northern Ireland.

“This is not confined to one area or one class,” he said.

“There is evidence of institutional racism and it cuts across all backgrounds.

“The Anti Racism Network is also receiving evidence of attacks which have gone unreported because the victims are fearful.

“Brutal attacks on people from a minority ethnic background, including pregnant women, is simply not acceptable to the vast majority of ordinary people here and the rally is simply an opportunity for us all to say enough is enough.

“It is right that as we remember the Holocaust, that we also recognise that prejudice and intolerance faced by minorities in the past is still alive in the 21st century.

“Saying nothing is not an option and the rally will allow everyone who opposes racism to speak out with one voice.”

The lunchtime rally will be addressed tomorrow outside City Hall by Belfast’s nationalist SDLP Lord Mayor Martin Morgan, Anna Lo of the Chinese Welfare Association, journalist and civil rights campaigner Eamonn McCann and Presbyterian minister, the Reverend Ken Newell.

ICTU deputy assistant general secretary Tom Gillen said trade unionists were “disturbed and angry” at the recent spate of attacks on ethnic minorities.

“Our presence at the rally on January 27 should be seen as a clear expression of our disgust at these attacks and for our absolute support for the human rights of people of all nations,” he said.

“Our movement has a proud record of supporting civil and human rights and we would wish to take this opportunity to call on all trade union members and their families to be present at the rally.”