Northern Ireland Protests Pass Peacefully After Two Nights of Unrest

Northern Ireland experienced a calmer Thursday evening as protests in various areas concluded without incident, following two nights of unrest and a robust police operation. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson reported that police found no evidence of loyalist paramilitary groups coordinating the disturbances.

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At this stage we have no evidence to say that the violence is being coordinated by loyalist paramilitaries.

Instead, Henderson pointed to "significant coordination from online social media activity," noting that some of this activity originated from outside Northern Ireland and even outside the island of Ireland. He stated that this online momentum was driving people to the streets and urged it to stop.

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What we have seen is significant coordination from online social media activity, some from people within Northern Ireland - and some from outside of Northern Ireland, outside the island of Ireland - generating that activity.

The previous night saw 12 police officers injured and 16 arrests made. In response, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) significantly increased its presence across the region on Thursday, bringing in additional officers from other UK forces.

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That momentum, that drive, that toxicity is what's bringing people out onto the streets. It needs to stop.

Despite the increased police presence, Thursday evening's protests dispersed peacefully. Around 170 people gathered in Whiteabbey, County Antrim, and approximately 100 blocked the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. First Minister Michelle O'Neill acknowledged the "dangerous and disgraceful racist attacks" but also highlighted the "spirit of solidarity" and community support work happening daily.

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But what has not been recognised enough is the work being done every day by people at the heart of our communities to support one another.