Several thousand anti-racism protesters gathered in Belfast city centre on Saturday for another demonstration following a week of disorder and racist attacks.
The rally was organised by a collective of organisations, including the trade union movement, United Against Racism and End Deportations Belfast.
United Against Racism said the event was intended to be a “peaceful response to racist violence of recent days”.
“These are our streets, and we will not concede them to the racist forces who want to divide us,” said the campaign group’s chair, Fiona Doran.
Those attending Saturday’s rally gathered in Writers’ Square at noon before marching to the front of Belfast City Hall .
Placards with “Ulster says no to racism” and “Ulster says yeo to diversity” were among those waved by campaigners.
“Today was an amazing celebration of all that is good about our diverse city,” Ms Doran.
“Now more than ever, we are determined to make Belfast an anti-racist city that prides itself on diversity.
“We will continue to fight to overcome the racist policies of the government, which punishes migrants, asylum seekers and refugees for coming here, and demonises people from religious and ethnic minority backgrounds.”
Attack on mosque
Shortly after the rally began, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) gave an update on their response to the upsurge in racially-motivated hate crimes.
They confirmed they are investigating an attempted petrol bombing of a mosque in Newtownards, County Down.
The device failed to ignite when it was thrown at the mosque on Friday, but racist graffiti was daubed on the building.
Shortly after the rally began, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) gave an update on their response to the upsurge in racially-motivated hate crimes.
They confirmed they are investigating an attempted petrol bombing of a mosque in Newtownards, County Down.
The device failed to ignite when it was thrown at the mosque on Friday, but racist graffiti was daubed on the building.
To date, 31 people have been arrested for offences linked to the recent disorder and racist attacks.
‘Reclaiming our streets’
One protester taking part in Saturday’s march said the event was about “reclaiming our streets”.
As they marched down Royal Avenue, the crowds chanted “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Belfast is anti-racist”.
Mairead Sullivan and her daughter Nora also attended the parade and said they would protest every week if they needed to.
Mairead was born in Belfast but her family moved to the United States to escape the Troubles.
She returned 12 years ago with her own family and said she doesn’t want to see a return to “the dark days”.
It was the second large gathering of anti-racism campaigners within two days in the centre of Belfast.
On Friday more than 1,000 people gathered outside Belfast City Hall to oppose an anti-immigration protest at the same location.
The anti-racism activists outnumbered the anti-immigration protesters by about five to one.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) ensured the opposing sides were kept apart and both groups dispersed peacefully after Friday’s demonstrations.