Press releases
Northern Ireland: Anti-racism march to be held in Belfast as race hate attacks at all-time high
Race hate incidents to the end of June 2024 were already at record levels – before the summer surge in violence
‘Saturday’s march will be a show of support for victims and for all who live in fear that they could be next’ – Patrick Corrigan
Large numbers of people are expected to march in Belfast on Saturday in opposition to ongoing racist attacks in the city.
Following a surge in racist attacks in Northern Ireland during the summer, attacks have continued on a weekly basis, with police figures already showing 2024 as the worst year ever for racist violence in the region.
Race hate incidents had already reached a record high in Northern Ireland by the end of June 2024, before this summer's surge in racist attacks. A record 1,411 racist incidents and 891 racist crimes were recorded by the PSNI in the year ending June 2024, according to official police data released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
The annual figures showed that racist crimes represented almost 1% of all recorded crime during the period.
Amnesty International is among the organisers of the ‘Belfast for All – stand together against racism’ march and rally which will take place in the city this Saturday and which has the support of scores of organisations, charities and political parties.
Ahead of the march, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director said:
“Racist violence may have dropped from the headlines, but not a week goes by in this city without another family having their home attacked by racist thugs.
“Saturday’s march will be a show of support for victims and for all who live in fear that they could be next.
“The disgraceful events of August, when a racist mob was able to run amok in Belfast, attacking homes and businesses at will, must never be repeated. But neither must we accept the insidious, ongoing attacks which continue to happen under the cover of darkness week in, week out.”
Saturday’s Belfast For All march and rally has been organised by United Against Racism, with support from Amnesty International, Belfast Islamic Centre and the NIPSA trade union, with people asked to meet at Writers’ Square at 11:30am before marching to Belfast City Hall.