10/07/2009
Threats To Ethnic Groups Condemned
Minority ethnic groups are under threat from a loyalist source.
Against a background of sectarian attacks that saw five Catholic churches paint-bombed, a car burnt out on GAA grounds and damage caused to several Orange halls, minority rights activists claimed last night that Muslims, Poles and Indians have received new threats from Protestant extremists.
Coming just weeks after more than 100 Romanian Gypsies (pictured above) fled NI after intimidation, the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities said groups representing all three communities have received letters purportedly from the splinter group, the Ulster Young Militants.
The letters warned "your building will be blown up" if the minority representatives don't leave.
Last month the bulk of Belfast's Romanian Gypsy population was flown back to Romania after intimidation of some from their homes in Protestant areas.
South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo - NI's only ethnic minority MLA - has expressed disgust at those behind the threatening letters.
She condemned the letters that have been sent to the Belfast Islamic Centre, the Polish Association NI and the Indian Community Centre.
"Who do these thugs think they are? It is those who issue threats that have no place in our society. They are totally unrepresentative of wider society and they need to be apprehended.
"I am totally disgusted at these threats. I feel for staff at the threatened organisations and I want to let them know that people across Northern Ireland are thinking about them and support them in the good work they do," she said on Friday.
See: Romanians Flee As Police Make Arrests
(BMcC/JM)
Against a background of sectarian attacks that saw five Catholic churches paint-bombed, a car burnt out on GAA grounds and damage caused to several Orange halls, minority rights activists claimed last night that Muslims, Poles and Indians have received new threats from Protestant extremists.
Coming just weeks after more than 100 Romanian Gypsies (pictured above) fled NI after intimidation, the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities said groups representing all three communities have received letters purportedly from the splinter group, the Ulster Young Militants.
The letters warned "your building will be blown up" if the minority representatives don't leave.
Last month the bulk of Belfast's Romanian Gypsy population was flown back to Romania after intimidation of some from their homes in Protestant areas.
South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo - NI's only ethnic minority MLA - has expressed disgust at those behind the threatening letters.
She condemned the letters that have been sent to the Belfast Islamic Centre, the Polish Association NI and the Indian Community Centre.
"Who do these thugs think they are? It is those who issue threats that have no place in our society. They are totally unrepresentative of wider society and they need to be apprehended.
"I am totally disgusted at these threats. I feel for staff at the threatened organisations and I want to let them know that people across Northern Ireland are thinking about them and support them in the good work they do," she said on Friday.
See: Romanians Flee As Police Make Arrests
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
30 January 2024
Groundhog Day: Advice NI Urges Households To Seek Support As 'Heat Or Eat' Conundrum Continues
NI's largest advice charity dealt with 4,062 cases and £43.4 million in household debt during 2023 As Groundhog Day approaches, Advice NI is encouraging households to seek financial advice and free themselves from the seemingly never-ending cycle of debt.
Groundhog Day: Advice NI Urges Households To Seek Support As 'Heat Or Eat' Conundrum Continues
NI's largest advice charity dealt with 4,062 cases and £43.4 million in household debt during 2023 As Groundhog Day approaches, Advice NI is encouraging households to seek financial advice and free themselves from the seemingly never-ending cycle of debt.
13 February 2024
Tourism NI Launch New 'Get Into Tourism' Training Course
Tourism NI has announced the launch of a new accredited training course, designed to encourage people to 'Get Into Tourism'. The organisation has teamed up with Belfast Metropolitan College to deliver the free Level 2 City and Guilds qualifications.
Tourism NI Launch New 'Get Into Tourism' Training Course
Tourism NI has announced the launch of a new accredited training course, designed to encourage people to 'Get Into Tourism'. The organisation has teamed up with Belfast Metropolitan College to deliver the free Level 2 City and Guilds qualifications.
04 March 2024
'Deeply Concerning' DoH Has Ended Nexus NI Contract – SF
Sinn Féin has said that it is "deeply concerning" that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services. Linda Dillon MLA said: "I am deeply concerned that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services for victims of sexual abuse and violence.
'Deeply Concerning' DoH Has Ended Nexus NI Contract – SF
Sinn Féin has said that it is "deeply concerning" that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services. Linda Dillon MLA said: "I am deeply concerned that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services for victims of sexual abuse and violence.
01 March 2024
Power NI Announces New 6.3% Price Decrease
Power NI has announced a new 6.3% decrease in its residential unit price, following a fall in wholesale market costs. This is the fourth consecutive decrease for the supplier and will take effect from 1 April 2024, meaning that customers on average will make further savings of £64 per year.
Power NI Announces New 6.3% Price Decrease
Power NI has announced a new 6.3% decrease in its residential unit price, following a fall in wholesale market costs. This is the fourth consecutive decrease for the supplier and will take effect from 1 April 2024, meaning that customers on average will make further savings of £64 per year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.