Twelve police officers were injured and 16 other people were arrested on the second night of riots in Northern Ireland after a Sudanese citizen stabbed a man in belfastreported this Thursday the British minister of the province, the Labor Party Hilary Benn.
The minister admitted he was pleased that there were fewer riots last night than on Tuesday night due to the racist violence that erupted after Monday’s stabbing.
PHOTODAY NEWTOWNABBEY (United Kingdom), 06/11/2026.- Police deployed water cannons to extinguish fires set by protesters during riots on Antrim Road, in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, Northern Ireland. A 30-year-old Sudanese national has been charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in Belfast on June 8. Homes and vehicles were set on fire during anti-immigration demonstrations following the attack. EFE/ Adam Vaughan
/ ADAM VAUGHAN
When asked by the Sky network if this is a racist riot rather than a protest, Benn replied that “if people are attacked because of the color of their skin, how else can they be described? That is racist vandalism, there is no doubt about it.”
Earlier, Northern Ireland Deputy Prime Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the violence has left the province’s community “shocked and horrified” after hooded youths threw bricks and Molotov cocktails at police.
The province experienced a second night of riots in protest – instigated by far-right groups through social networks – over the stabbing on Monday in Belfast of a man by a Sudanese citizen, who has already been charged and remains detained.
Riot police were forced to use water cannon last night in Glengormley, about 13 kilometers northwest of belfastto contain the rioters, who continuously threw all types of objects at the law enforcement forces, while a Department of Infrastructure vehicle was set on fire.
The violent young people, almost all dressed in black and with their faces covered so as not to be identified, they also set fire to some garbage containers in the Northern Irish capital.
He Police Service of Northern Ireland More agents were deployed last night, but the riots were not as intense as the previous night, when numerous young people set fire to cars and homes housing immigrants. Many of them were forced to leave their homes and seek shelter to avoid attacks.
Speaking to the BBC today, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister added that while some peaceful protesters have legitimate concerns, others appear determined to cause “violence, vandalism and disorder.” “This is absolutely unacceptable and of course we have come together to demand that this stops immediately,” he added.
Regarding the instigators of violence, the unionist Little-Pengelly highlighted that “the only thing they are doing is destroying their own communities and the cause they claim to defend.”
As a precautionary measure, public transport was suspended last night and some schools closed earlier than usual.
He Sudanese Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared before a Belfast court yesterday charged with attempted murder by knife attack against Stephen Ogilvie, who has lost an eye.
Ogilvie, 40, remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to his family, who yesterday urged people to stop sharing “false information on social media” about the attack.
The family added that they felt “outraged” by the recent riots and that violence does not have their support, while emphasizing that peaceful protest is always the only possible way.
“We have many immigrants who make an extremely valuable contribution to our country, even in our health system and in the hospitality sectorand we depend on them to make our country work. We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or stoke hostility; “Do not do this in the name of our loved one, since we do not share the same values,” the family stated in their message.
