Belfast’s race riots: what happened next?

In the News podcast: At least 88 migrant families were made homeless in June by rampaging mobs

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Houses remain burnt-out on Lendrick Street in Belfast after the riots in June. Photograph: Enda O'Dowd/The Irish Times
Houses remain burnt-out on Lendrick Street in Belfast after the riots in June. Photograph: Enda O'Dowd/The Irish Times

The scenes of violence and rampant destruction on the streets of Belfast on June 9th were reminiscent of disorder we’ve seen before.

But these were not sectarian-motivated attacks, instead they were race riots, with mobs of young men attacking migrants.

When calm was restored, at least 88 migrant families had been made homeless, either because their home had been attacked or burned out or because the threats were so terrifying, the people are too fearful to return.

The riots had been sparked by a brutal knife attack earlier that day; a Sudanese national has since been charged with the crime.

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Why has there been a resurgence of anti-immigration sentiment in Northern Ireland? Who were the rioters on June 9th? And what does it mean for future peace and stability that anti-immigrant violence has replaced sectarian attacks in Northern Ireland?

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Andrew McNair.

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