Northern Ireland: ‘zero tolerance’ for racism call at Belfast rally

Anti-racism march to Belfast City Hall 

‘This week of shame must be a wake-up call for our politicians and the police. There must be zero tolerance for racism’ – Patrick Corrigan

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director addressed the ‘Belfast Welcomes Diversity’ anti-racism rally in Belfast on Saturday afternoon, saying:

“Minoritised communities are not responsible for the failure of politicians to address poverty and inequality in our society.

“Let’s be clear. Racist violence didn’t start here last Saturday.

“It didn’t start three weeks ago when eight families were put out of their homes in Antrim.

“And it didn’t start three years ago when the Belfast Multi Cultural Association was burnt out by men in balaclavas.

“Racist violence has been a real and present danger here for far too long.

“But all too rarely have the racists responsible been held to account. No wonder they feel emboldened.

“Racism is a stain on our communities. Paramilitary violence is a scourge on our communities.

“This week of shame must be a wake-up call for our politicians and the police. There must be zero tolerance for racism in all its manifestations.”