Online show of support organised by victims of racist arson attack

Politicians, community leaders and the PSNI have been invited to join the general public to condemn all racism and attacks against the black and minority ethnic (BAME) community in Northern Ireland.

A centre operated by the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (BMCA) at Donegall Pass was badly damaged in a blaze last Thursday night.

Police later said they believe the fire had been started deliberately.

Cars belonging to staff at the centre had been damaged in previous incidents.

The online meeting – organised by the BMCA in partnership with the North West Migrant Forum (NWMF), United Against Racism, Belfast Islamic Centre and other BAME-led groups – is due to take place between 6pm and 8pm.

A BMCA spokesperson said: “Whilst we are comforted by the outpouring positive support from the public, as a community of people who value peace, community relations, equality of opportunities, freedom of worship and respect for difference, we feel the need to once again send a strong message that an attack on BMCA is an attack on all of us.

“An attack on one faith is an attack on all our faiths and an attack for people of minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland is an attack on all of us.

“Our hope is that every decent citizen in NI particularly leaders in positions of influence will join us and use this platform to take a stand against this small but dangerous minority of people looking to spread hate.”

Anyone registering their interest in attending the online event will be asked to sign a statement of support endorsed by more than 150 local and international community-led organisations and public representatives from across the UK and Ireland.

The meeting is also being live streamed on the BMCA, NWMF, UAR and BIC Twitter and Facebook accounts.

To attend the event via zoom, contact [email protected].

The statement can be signed at www.bit.ly/BMCAstatement

• A fund established to help the BMCA continue its work in the city has now raised more than £65,000.

The appeal was set up by Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International.

An update posted on the justgiving.com site said the centre’s foodbank can now be re-established.

It said: “What a response!! The original target of £10,000 was smashed within two hours. Then you met and passed the revised £20,000 target. Then £30,000. Then £40,000. And now £50,000. The antidote to hate is love. You are showing so much love right now. Thank you!

“We have now raised the target to £60,000 to help them build back better than before. Out of this tragedy is coming real hope. This money will help to get BMCA re-established in temporary accommodation and enable them to continue the food bank, food distribution, clothes bank and their other work.”