Number of arrests after riots in Northern Ireland rises to 19 | UK news
Police said 19 people, including a 16-year-old boy, were arrested after two nights of rioting in Northern Ireland following a stabbing attack earlier in the week.
The violence broke out after far-right activists called for demonstrations in response to the attack, which was captured on graphic video.
Hours after Elon Musk, Tommy Robinson and other agitators encouraged people to take to the streets on Tuesday, masked men burned vehicles and homes and blocked roads. On Wednesday, the police used rubber bullets and water cannons after the crowd attacked the police with stones and tear gas.
Concerns have been raised about messages promoting the disorder being spread online and forwarded via messaging apps. The government is failing to tackle the spread of misinformation online, a committee of MPs warned on Friday.
Chi Onwurah, chairman of the science, innovation and technology committee, said: “The unrest in Belfast shows that the government is not doing enough to tackle the scale and speed of algorithmic amplification of misinformation online.”
In a letter to technology secretary Liz Kendall, Onwurah accused the government of ignoring the committee’s warning that social media algorithms were amplifying harmful and misleading content, leading to previous violent unrest in Southport.
“My committee warned in a report last year that the Online Safety Act was inadequate and full of regulatory loopholes,” Onwurah said.
The letter said: “The Government and Ofcom must now force social media companies to take steps to combat the viral algorithmic proliferation of not only illegal content during crises, but also content that can help fuel unrest without crossing the bar of illegality (such as spreading misinformation about an event).”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said Thursday night was “much calmer” with only “low-level disturbances” compared to the disorder of the previous two nights, and along with Police Scotland appealed for calm ahead of planned anti-racism demonstrations in Belfast and Glasgow.
PSNI deputy chief constable Ryan Henderson said: “Thankfully the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days. Our police operation will continue throughout the weekend to ensure public order is maintained.”
Stephen Ogilvie, the victim of a knife attack who suffered deep cuts and lost an eye, remained in a coma on Friday but was said to be improving. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese citizen, appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of attempted murder for the attack.
A number of anti-racism events have been held in response to this week’s unrest. A gathering billed as a community solidarity rally was due to take place in West Belfast on Friday evening, while a Together Against Hate demonstration was to be held at Belfast City Hall on Saturday.
Police also expect large numbers of people to attend a protest organized by Stand Up to Racism Scotland in Glasgow. The protest was held in response to unrest in the city on Tuesday, which saw five people, including two police officers, injured and Glasgow’s central mosque forced to lock worshipers inside.
Alan Waddell, deputy chief commissioner of Police Scotland, said there would be a large police presence at the demonstration. He said: “There must be no repeat of the mayhem and violence seen in the city earlier this week, where our communities were targeted because of the color of their skin and officers injured working to keep people safe.
“My message is clear. Those taking part must do so lawfully and police will support public safety.”
Lawyer Aamer Anwar was among those supporting Saturday’s demonstration. He said: “Saturday is a day to take back our streets, not a day of hatred, but a day of celebration of our city and its many cultures. Those who want to cause mayhem are not welcome.”
