In Northern Ireland, there is a hunt for Romanians. And not only. Any immigrant can become a victim.
The widespread revolt comes following an alleged sexual assault committed by two Romanian boys on a teenage girl.
The case has inflamed tensions in the town with approximately 31,000 inhabitants, where there is a significant immigrant community.
Caught in the middle of street battles, people going about their business are doing their best to cope. In residential neighborhoods, both locals and immigrants have displayed the flag of the United Kingdom on windows and doors and have affixed yellow A4 sheets with the message "LOCALS LIVE HERE." This is how they protect themselves from the angry crowds.
However, many born in the Northern Irish town of Ballymena are angry for a different reason. They are upset that the police and politicians label them as "racist thugs," even though the violence continues.
"Force will be used against violent individuals"
Sky News reporters were in the area and reported on the mood.
It didn't take long after 8:00 p.m. when a police announcement, transmitted through loudspeakers mounted on armored vehicles, echoed through the streets. "Force will be used against violent individuals," could be heard, while locals, some masked, were ready for action.
"You'd better film this," a man told Sky News reporters, amidst growing discontent among locals accusing the police of using harsh intervention methods. Then, the agents, holding their shields up, advanced as the people retreated. The maneuver further infuriated the protesters who had gathered.
Violence every night
The protests were triggered by a case of sexual assault involving two Romanian teenagers. On Monday, two 14-year-olds were brought before the court, accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The trial took place with the support of a Romanian interpreter.
On Monday night, 15 police officers were injured, several houses were set on fire, and a 29-year-old man was arrested. On Tuesday night, protesters, some wearing hoods, threw fireworks and bottles at the law enforcement, who used water cannons to restore order.
The clashes were slower-paced on the third night of conflict, but scenes of chaos persisted, as reported by the British television station. Molotov cocktails followed, along with water cannons. The attackers remained undeterred, being hit back with rubber bullets. The crowd watching cheered on the protesters.
The increased presence of officers was felt on-site. Sirens echoed throughout the city as the Police moved from one incident to another as new outbreaks of violence erupted.
Any immigrant can become a victim of unleashed fury
Local law enforcement has been supplemented with personnel from Scotland, England, and Wales. And they won't be short of work.
A leisure center located 25 minutes away, in Larne, was attacked on Wednesday night after it was discovered that some foreign families fleeing the chaos in Ballymena were temporarily housed there.
In residential neighborhoods, both locals and immigrants have displayed the flag of the United Kingdom on windows and doors and have affixed yellow A4 sheets with the message "LOCALS LIVE HERE."
These colorful posters are seen as a deterrent to dissuade the angry crowd from seeking revenge elsewhere.
Those who do not declare whether they are "natives" or not fall victim to this "pogrom." Earlier in the day, two Romanian women were engrossed in their phones on a pathway, while their children played on the garden trampoline. They were horrified, packing their belongings into the car and planning to leave for good, as reported by Sky News.
The house and car of a Filipino man who has been living and working in Ballymena for several years were set on fire by angry protesters. The man had just returned from work when he discovered the misfortune.
In other parts of the city, it was worse - masked individuals broke into empty houses and wreaked havoc inside.
Protests have spread to other localities
According to local reports, violent protests have spread to Coleraine, Larne, Newtownabbey, as well as other locations in Northern Ireland.
Locals in Ballymena are unhappy with how the police and politicians talk about them, labeling them as "racist thugs."
They view the revolt as a way to express their feelings. And they are determined to continue this campaign of slaughter in Northern Ireland to ensure they prove their point, concludes the TV station.
T.D.