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18/06/2014
'Racist' Banners Removed From House
Police have removed homemade banners from a property as part of an investigation into an incident in which a Nigerian man was met by protestors as he attempted to enter his new home in east Belfast.
34-year-old Michael Abiona was met by about five people with banners featuring slogans such as 'local houses for local people' as he arrived at the property in Glenluce Drive on Tuesday.
It is reported that the people asked him why the Housing Executive property was allocated to him and whether he was disabled.
East Belfast MP Naomi Long said: "This sort of behaviour has no place in our community and does nothing but send out the message that east Belfast is unwelcoming, when we know the opposite is true. I hope the experience has not traumatised this poor family, who should be free to live where they wish without intimidation.
"Any right-thinking person will condemn this blatantly racist behaviour and I have no doubt the vast majority of residents in the area will be sickened by it. Rather than Mr Abiona and his family, it is this kind of vile behaviour that should be unwelcome in our society."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted this morning: "The racist intimidation of Michael Abiona at the house allocated to him in E.Belfast is shameful & must be opposed & condemned by everyone."
(IT/CD)
34-year-old Michael Abiona was met by about five people with banners featuring slogans such as 'local houses for local people' as he arrived at the property in Glenluce Drive on Tuesday.
It is reported that the people asked him why the Housing Executive property was allocated to him and whether he was disabled.
East Belfast MP Naomi Long said: "This sort of behaviour has no place in our community and does nothing but send out the message that east Belfast is unwelcoming, when we know the opposite is true. I hope the experience has not traumatised this poor family, who should be free to live where they wish without intimidation.
"Any right-thinking person will condemn this blatantly racist behaviour and I have no doubt the vast majority of residents in the area will be sickened by it. Rather than Mr Abiona and his family, it is this kind of vile behaviour that should be unwelcome in our society."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted this morning: "The racist intimidation of Michael Abiona at the house allocated to him in E.Belfast is shameful & must be opposed & condemned by everyone."
(IT/CD)
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