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South Belfast political and community leaders must unite in support of foreign nationals
Published: 9 April, 2009
South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has called upon all political and community leaders in the South Belfast area to unite in support of foreign nationals who live within the area and to make it clear that racism from any quarter has no place in our society.
Alex Maskey was speaking after media reports that more than 40 foreign nationals have felt the need to leave their homes because of fear of attack.
The South Belfast MLA said,
"There have been increasing reports of racist attacks and intimidation directed at foreign nationals. Within South Belfast much of the media reports have focused on the Village area.
"I have spoken with a number of people from the Village area and it is clear that such racist attacks and attitudes do not have the support of the majority of the people in this area.
"Those responsible for racist intimidation are a very small minority, a minority whose actions are abhorred by the local community.
"There have been attempts to link these attacks to the trouble before and after the Poland v Northern Ireland soccer match. This is a smokescreen being used by the narrow minded thugs who engage in racist attacks. The whole Polish community, and indeed the wider community of foreign nationals, cannot be held responsible for the actions of a small minority of football hooligans. Let us be clear, these types of racist incidents were taking place for years before this soccer game. They were wrong then and they are wrong now".
The South Belfast MLA concluded,
"Political and community representatives have a duty to make it clear that racism has no place in community. I would call upon all community and political representatives to unite in support of foreign nationals who live in our community". CRÍOCH
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