HUNDREDS of people turned out in Derry yesterday evening in opposition to the riots which have gripped Belfast and parts of the UK in recent days.
Similar rallies took place across the UK where tens of thousands of protesters gathered to send a strong message to the racist mobs that have looted and burned shops, cars and businesses.
Under the banner of ‘Unity Against Division’, Derry’s Community Rally For Solidarity was supported by a wide variety of organisations including trade unions, political parties, environmental organisations, LGBT+ rights groups, pro-Palestine supporters, the Bloody Sunday Trust and others.
The North West Migrants Forum was also proud to add its name to the list. Our Chief Executive Lilian Seenoi Barr opening the event with a speech in which she urged politicians to do more to protect migrant communities.
As well as Mrs Barr, there were addresses from Sameh Sayed Ali Hassan of the North West Islamic Association, nurse and Unison representative Beverly Simpson, human rights campaigner Hilda Orr, People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin, Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy, Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly and Davy McAuley of United Against Racism Derry.
Mayor Barr told those who congregated in Guildhall Square, “It is not good enough for our politicians to continually dismiss the rise in hostility as the actions of a few misguided radicals.
“The reality is that conversations around migration are taking place on every street corner in Ireland. People with genuine concerns – decent, law-abiding people – are discussing it in their homes, community centres, in pubs, in bingo halls, on the sidelines at football matches.
“They are talking about it because there is a housing crisis. But let’s look at why there is a housing crisis.
“Is it the fault of migrants, many of whom are living in sub-standard houses and hostels, sometimes six or eight to a property with no consideration given to health needs or cultural differences? Or is the reason Irish people can’t get homes down to the fact that much of our social housing stock has been sold off and not replaced, leaving a vacuum which is being filled by unscrupulous landlords?
“We are in the grip of a health crisis. But why is there a health crisis?
“In May we had a junior doctors strike in Northern Ireland. I listened as some of them were interviewed and not one of them said they were striking because too many of their patients were black or brown or foreign. They all said they were on the picket line because they were underpaid and undervalued.
“We watch as our young people leave Ireland behind for Australia, Canada, America, London.
Is the brain drain the fault of asylum seekers – men and women living on £7 per day and who are barred from working sometimes for years, until they get a decision from the Home Office?
“Or is it down to a lack of opportunity fuelled by decades of political instability and poor leadership?
“And let me ask you this: If we could somehow magically collect every migrant on this island and return them today to their country of origin, would all of Ireland’s woes suddenly be solved? Would everyone who needs a house suddenly have a house? Would Ireland’s streets be free of drugs, free of violence and free of crime?
“Of course not.”
The North West Migrants Forum Chief Executive said it was time for politicians to “acknowledge their failings and the failings of their predecessors”. By not doing so they are allowing lies and misinformation to go unchecked and unchallenged, she added.
“By refusing to admit their shortcomings they are enabling the scapegoating of migrants as the cause of every ill.
“As well as being forthright with the truth we need our politicians to firmly take to task media outlets that constantly publish misleading stories about refugees and those seeking asylum. These tabloids, websites and television channels demonise migrants and whip up hate purely for profit and do so without fear of consequence. That has to change.
“And we need our politicians to confront the social media platforms that give oxygen to these racists who are causing mayhem on our streets.
“The time has come to lead by example because lives are now literally at stake.”
Mayor Barr said that Derry people were no strangers to injustice.
“Today this city is home to people, cultures, languages and cuisines from all over the world and I for one believe it is a better place for it,” she said to loud applause.
“A popular slogan among those who would drive people like me out is that ‘Ireland is Full’.
“Over the last few days I have received hundreds, if not thousands, of messages of support. Those messages have made me realise that Ireland is indeed full. It is full of people who care, who understand and who want to give a helping hand up to those in need.
“On that note, I am sure you will all join me this evening in saying to our migrant brothers and sisters in Ireland and the UK, we are with you in this fight, we have your back.
“And it is a fight that, if we continue to stand together, we will win.”
WATCH: Shaun Harkin gives impassioned address outside Guildhall