Violent Anti-Immigration Protests Erupt Following Belfast Stabbing

Violent anti-immigration protests broke out Tuesday evening in Belfast. Masked protestors set fire to a bus, cars, trash bins, and homes. The unrest followed a brutal stabbing attack in Northern Ireland’s capital on Monday night. Social media saw calls for such protests from far-right figures.

In a graphic video of the stabbing, a man used a knife to slash another man around the head and neck. The video quickly spread online. The Police Service of Northern Ireland charged a Sudanese man in his 30s with attempted murder, possessing a knife in public, and making threats to kill. He applied for asylum and entered Northern Ireland, later gaining a five-year U.K. visa in 2023. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. The victim suffered serious injuries to his eyes, face, and back.

Despite pleas for peace from police and politicians, dozens of masked protesters incited violence. One Belfast lawmaker described these actions as “a race-based pogrom.” Vehicles went up in flames on Lendrick Street in response to the stabbing.

Claire Hanna, a Belfast member of the British parliament, condemned the violence. Speaking on BBC’s “Newsnight,” she acknowledged the shocking nature of the stabbing but criticized the protestors’ arson. She noted some went door to door searching for immigrants. She blamed certain political figures and tech magnates like Elon Musk for exacerbating tensions.

First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, called such activities “outright thuggery.” O’Neill’s statement labeled burning families out of their homes as “disgusting cowardice.” The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service responded to 62 incidents that evening. Video footage showed families fleeing as fires were ignited in immigrant neighborhoods.

John Finucane, a lawmaker in Northern Ireland, described these acts as “shameful & disgraceful.” Despite understanding the anger from the attack, Finucane emphasized that spreading fear and terror on the streets is never acceptable.

CBS News Confirmed verified the stabbing video, noting it as a violently attempted beheading. While police haven’t linked the act to terrorism, investigations to uncover the motive continue.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer deemed the attack “horrific” and “sickening.” He expressed zero tolerance for such street violence and extended thoughts to the victim while commending first responders and civilians who intervened.

A Glider bus also fell victim to fire amid the protests. Although protestors in Belfast reacted with hostility to journalists, two men — Chris and John — spoke out. While they were shocked by the video and wished to support the victim, they rejected violence.

Chris, residing nearby but working in Belfast, and John, from different Northern Ireland communities, witnessed longstanding animosity. Despite being from different religious and political backgrounds, they prayed together after the incident. They expressed concerns over the lack of surprise at the violence, referencing previous incidents like the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton.

The Nowak case saw accusations of “two-tier” policing. Critics claimed immigrants received preferential treatment. Prominent figures, including Vice President JD Vance, shared their views on social media. They argued that European leaders should have combated what they see as the politics of self-hatred. Nowak’s murderer, Vickrum Digwa, had previously claimed Nowak attacked him. However, a court discovered Digwa’s claim was false. He received a life sentence with a 21-year minimum term.