‘They are thugs thriving on division’: residents voice disgust and shame at Belfast rioters

Belfast residents have reacted with anger and disgust at the disorder in the city in response to a an online callout by the Guardian.

People were asked if they had been affected by the unrest sparked by the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvie in the city earlier in the week.

Hadi Alodid, 30, of Belfast, has been charged with the attempted murder of Ogilvie.

Hundreds of people took part in the riotssetting fire to cars, homes and a bus, and throwing bricks and petrol bombs at the police.

Ada Ní Deoradháin, 26, an Irish-Polish national who moved to Belfast at the age of 11, said: “The events reflect a history that still lingers here. Too often, people believe they can commit these acts without consequence.

“They attack homes, businesses and communities, yet are described as ‘protesters’ by some media outlets. These are not protests. They are targeted acts of intimidation and violence. These are pogroms. And they echo the 70s.

“As a Polish immigrant who grew up in Belfast, I live in this city in alienation. I am still cautious about who I speak to because of my accent, however faint it may be. Too many people hold on to prejudice, and its effects are felt daily.

“Friends of mine who are immigrants or people of colour share the same reality. Yet these experiences are not taken seriously when raised … That unwillingness to acknowledge prejudice allows it to persist – and combined with frustration, unhappiness and a lack of opportunities, it is then channelled into discrimination, mistreatment, and, ultimately, the kind of senseless, cruel attacks we are seeing now.

“These actions are also encouraged by far-right rhetoric from politicians and billionaires who benefit from division and unrest rather than peace and progress. Belfast deserves better than this … We want to move past a history of division and hatred that has lasted far too long.”

Adam, from Ballycastle, said: “My 72-year-old mother has been in hospital in Belfast with serious injuries after being knocked down by a car on Monday morning.

“I’ve been unable to drive to Belfast to see her in hospital as every evening since Tuesday it has been too dangerous. These rioters don’t represent the majority of people here. It’s disgusting and depressing that a minority can hold the rest of the country to ransom.”

A woman from Belfast who asked not to be named said: “My husband, 67, who has Parkinson’s, was to be admitted to the Royal Victoria hospital.

“He has been struggling for months with complications from the illness. We were informed that the hospital is not taking admissions due to the social unrest