South Belfast Anti-Racism Rally Attacked

An anti-racism demonstration in South Belfast has came under attack from a mob pelting bottles.

Abuse and insults were also hurled at those gathered on the Lisburn Road last night. The event was organised to show contempt for recent racist attacks on immigrant families living in the area.

A group of youths threw bottles at the demonstrators who were chanting "Nazis off our streets", it is believed the gang also gave Nazi salutes to the protesters.

After firing missiles into the crowd, the gang was chased along a nearby alleyway. No one was injured during the disturbance.

South Belfast MLA Anna Lo, who attended the rally, branded those who caused the trouble a "disgrace".

"We are all here to show support for the migrant workers who have been attacked and have been hounded out from one street to another street," she said.

Just yesterday a Romanian family was the victim of a racist incident.

Windows were smashed by a gang heard to be shouting Combat 18 slogans.

A letter containing text from Hitler's Mein Kampf was also pushed through the letterbox in the attack.

Police have said they are investigating racist incidents and criminal damage in both areas over the last four days.

(PR/JM)