Notizie.it editorial team Topics Covered
BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland — In a climate of fear and tension, Elena has stopped shopping in her neighborhood. Racist violence in her community has forced her to stay indoors, with the lights off and a fire extinguisher at hand. Her street has become a nightly battleground for strangers, with broken windows and fire-blackened bricks telling a story of intolerance and hatred.
An unsustainable attack
Matters came to a head after a group of teenagers, two boys aged just 14, were accused of attempting to rape a girl from Ballymena. The news sparked a protest that, while initially peaceful, quickly turned violent. Hundreds of protesters, including many masked men, began heading to immigrant homes, turning the protest into a full-blown manhunt.
Escape from fear
At least 14 immigrant families have already abandoned their homes, finding shelter in other facilities. The violence spares no one: over 60 police officers were injured during clashes with the rioters. The Northern Ireland police, already under pressure, is seeking reinforcements from other police forces in the United Kingdom. In the meantime, the local community is divided between those who condemn the violence and those who, instead, are the spokespersons of a xenophobic movement.
A complex historical context
Racism is nothing new to Northern Ireland, the least ethnically diverse region in the United Kingdom. Immigrants, mostly from Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, have settled in poorer neighborhoods, often under threat from local paramilitary groups. So-called loyalist groups, such as the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force, have a long history of violence against anyone they perceive as an intruder.
Elena recounts her experience: “I don’t know how much longer I can live here. That’s what they want: to force me to escape.” Her house, like many others, has become a symbol of the fight against intolerance. “Should I put up a flag to protect myself? It’s unacceptable!”
Institutional reactions
Local authorities are trying to contain the wave of violence. First Minister Michelle O'Neill has called for the resignation of her DUP colleague, Gordon Lyons, over a social media post revealing the location of an emergency immigration centre. This led to an attack on the facility, with no injuries, but with a growing climate of fear.
“Four nights of violence are unacceptable. We have to say no to racism,” says O’Neill, as political leaders try to maintain the appearance of unity. But tensions between the ruling parties are palpable, and the situation risks escalating further.
A community response
In response to the growing violence, some local groups have begun encouraging residents to register their properties as indigenous, to discourage vandals. Fear is palpable, and the community is on high alert. Elena, like many others, wonders if she will ever feel safe in the place she now calls home.
The situation is tense, and future developments are uncertain. The police are working hard to restore calm, but the question remains: how long will it take for this spiral of hatred and violence to stop?