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Anti-racism rallies take place in Belfast and Derry | |
(35 minutes later) | |
About 4,000 people have attended anti-racism rallies in Belfast and Londonderry following a recent spate of racist attacks in Northern Ireland. | |
Speakers included MLA Anna Lo, who this week said racist abuse had influenced her decision not to seek re-election. | Speakers included MLA Anna Lo, who this week said racist abuse had influenced her decision not to seek re-election. |
The rallies also followed controversy over a Belfast pastor who described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic". | The rallies also followed controversy over a Belfast pastor who described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic". |
Pastor James McConnell received support from some NI politicians, including First Minister Peter Robinson. | Pastor James McConnell received support from some NI politicians, including First Minister Peter Robinson. |
Last week, Mr Robinson said he would not trust Muslims involved in violence or devotees of Sharia law, but would trust Muslims "to go to the shops" for him. | Last week, Mr Robinson said he would not trust Muslims involved in violence or devotees of Sharia law, but would trust Muslims "to go to the shops" for him. |
The first minister has since clarified his remarks, claimed he was misinterpreted, and apologised to Islamic leaders in Belfast. | The first minister has since clarified his remarks, claimed he was misinterpreted, and apologised to Islamic leaders in Belfast. |
The Belfast event, Stand Up and Rally Against Racism, began at the city hall at noon. | |
It was attended by about 4,000 people, according to a police spokeswoman. | |
The crowd chanted Anna Lo's name and cheered when they were addressed by the Hong-Kong born MLA, who is a member of the Alliance party. | The crowd chanted Anna Lo's name and cheered when they were addressed by the Hong-Kong born MLA, who is a member of the Alliance party. |
Ms Lo told the rally she was "not going away" and said everyone must stand up against racism and sectarianism in Northern Ireland. | Ms Lo told the rally she was "not going away" and said everyone must stand up against racism and sectarianism in Northern Ireland. |
'Ethnic cleansing' | |
Muslim leaders were also among the gathering in Belfast. | Muslim leaders were also among the gathering in Belfast. |
Earlier this month, police said they were reviewing the number of patrols in Belfast following a spate of hate crime attacks on homes and property in the city. | |
In April, a senior police officer said said the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), had been orchestrating racist attacks in south and east Belfast. | |
ACC Will Kerr told the Policing Board it had contributed to an overall 70% rise in hate crime in Belfast and had "a deeply unpleasant taste of a bit of ethnic cleansing". | |
Saturday's anti-racism rally in Derry attracted about 100 supporters. | |
Among the crowd was Environment Minister Mark H Durkan and Mayor of Derry Martin Reilly. | Among the crowd was Environment Minister Mark H Durkan and Mayor of Derry Martin Reilly. |
The city centre rally was addressed by a member of the local Muslim community, Sameh Hassan. | The city centre rally was addressed by a member of the local Muslim community, Sameh Hassan. |