Northern Ireland immigration riots: Former DUP First Minister Arlene Foster says underlying issues behind violence need to be listened to - rejects labelling working class as 'Nazis'
Former First Minister Arlene Foster says there are underlying issues behind violence on the streets of Belfast which need to be listened to - rejecting what she called the "labelling" of some working class people in Belfast as "Nazis".
There has been sporadic rioting in the city in the wake of a largely peaceful anti-immigration protest at Belfast City Hall on Saturday.
It is reported that pro-immigration protestors directed chants at the anti-immigration protestors accusing them of being Nazis.
In south Belfast a number of businesses were later destroyed in race-related attacks and civilians and police officers injured.
In south Belfast last night officers dealt with criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street. Windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street.
Meanwhile, in east Belfast a number of bins were set on fire in Castlereagh Street and police were attacked by a group of masked men who threw bricks and masonry at officers in Flora Street. No officers were injured in the attacks.
Speaking on GB News on the issue of street violence, Ms Foster said it was right that the assembly was recalled yesterday to debate the issues.
“I think it was right to call the assembly, on reflection, to have a debate. Many times we’re called back to debate issues, but I think it was right to call it today,” she said.
“First of all, of course, we need to reject the violence and the thuggery and the looting that took place in many areas of our great capital city, over these past few days.
“And some of the MLAs were also gracious enough to understand that there's something else going on; that in some of the areas of Belfast, there are real concerns that need to be addressed, and I think that those concerns haven't really got an airing.
“They need to get an airing and they need to be listened to. Of course, you have to protect the ethnic minority communities. Of course, you have to protect their businesses. You have to make them feel that they're welcome. You have to say to the healthcare workers that they're doing a great job in many of our hospitals.
“But you can protect and listen as well. And I think what we need to do is absolutely listen to some of those concerns that have been raised with many people over this past number of days.
"I really object to labelling everybody as racist, as Nazis, which has been labelled at some working class people in Belfast. I totally reject that.
“Of course, there are people who are going to travel to engage in violence, and indeed, unfortunately I have to say as well that some of the paramilitaries are seeing it as an opportunity for them to gain control again, and that's absolutely to be rejected.
“But that doesn't take away from the fact that, of course, we need a police presence and we need a police reaction to what's going on, but we also need to listen.
“If Northern Ireland can tell us anything about what's going on, it's that we need to listen to some of those real and genuine concerns that are there.”