Police must be 'better prepared' for possible violence this weekend - Amnesty UK

Amnesty International has warned that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) must be “better prepared” for possible violence this weekend ahead of planned ‘anti-immigration’ protests in Belfast and Derry. 

The planned demonstration is due to take place on Sunday afternoon in Guildhall Square.

The demonstration is due to coincide with the Al Quds Day rally, organised by Derry IPSC.

A poster of the demonstration, which has been circulating on social media, demands that Sinn Féin stop 'flooding the North with unvetted men'. It also states that the party are 'traitors' and support Palestinian group Hamas.

Other social media posts about the rally has claim to oppose 'mass illegal unvetted immigration'.

Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director Patrick Corrigan urged the PSNI to be 'better prepared ahead of the demonstrations.

Mr Corrigan said: “It is essential that the police are better prepared for violence than they were last August when racist thugs were able to throw missiles at anti-racism campaigners at Belfast City Hall, injuring at least one person, and then rampage through south Belfast attacking minority-owned businesses at will. 

“Organisers of a peaceful anti-racism solidarity protest in Belfast have been assured by the PSNI that there will be a better-organised policing operation in place on Sunday in case of trouble from ‘anti-immigration’ protestors.  

“We welcome these assurances. There must be zero tolerance for racism. Those who seek to divide our communities and stoke hatred and violence cannot be allowed to win. 

“While everyone has the right to protest, people do not have the right to incite or commit acts of violence on our neighbours. We encourage people in Belfast to come out in force to show the true face of the cities as places of welcome.” 

The PSNI recorded 1,777 racist incidents and 1,150 racist attacks in 2024, reaching the highest ever recorded levels during the summer period. 

Mr Corrigan continued: “Last year saw racist hate crimes hit new all-time highs in Northern Ireland. Our response must be solidarity to those being marginalised and attacked within our communities and to demand better political leadership at Stormont to address the root causes of racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia that plagues our society.”