On Tuesday evening, violent anti-immigration protests broke out in parts of Belfast. Masked demonstrators set fire to a bus, cars, trash cans, and homes. Far-right figures on social media had called for these protests following a brutal stabbing attack the previous night in Northern Ireland’s capital.
A graphic video spread quickly online showing a man slashing another man’s head and neck. The Police Service of Northern Ireland detained a Sudanese man in his 30s, charging him with attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place, and making threats to kill. He had arrived in Northern Ireland after applying for asylum and was granted a five-year U.K. visa in 2023. He is set to appear in court to face these charges. The victim suffered serious injuries to his eyes, face, and back.
Despite calls for calm from police and politicians, dozens of masked protesters caused violent unrest. A local lawmaker described it as “a race-based pogrom.” Vehicles were set on fire as disorder erupted in response to the stabbing. Claire Hanna, a British MP from Belfast, condemned the protesters for their violent actions. She noted that some were going door to door looking for immigrants.
Hanna criticized online figures and local politicians for deliberately inciting unrest, naming U.S. tech magnate Elon Musk, Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage, and Tommy Robinson. Social media accounts urged protests against mass immigration in communities.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill called the scenes “outright thuggery.” She described the actions of masked men burning homes as “disgusting cowardice.” Video footage aired by BBC News showed people fleeing their homes after fires were set in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations.
Northern Ireland’s John Finucane condemned the scenes as “shameful & disgraceful.” While he understood the revulsion over the attack that sparked the protests, he added that no one has the right to spread fear or terrorize families.
“I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated. “My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim.”
Some protesters, interviewed by CBS News, expressed shock at the stabbing video but rejected the violence witnessed on the streets. Chris and John, two men present at the protest, said they were there to pray after the stabbing and showed solidarity with the victim.
The unrest follows similar events earlier this month in Southampton after Henry Nowak’s murder. The handling of the Nowak case was criticized by far-right activists, who accused police of “two-tier” policing. Vice President JD Vance commented on the case, blaming European elites for not opposing mass immigration.
Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed Nowak, was recently sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years. Digwa’s claim of being attacked by Nowak was found false, leading to his conviction.
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