As social media fuels racist hysteria and business closures following a brutal Belfast stabbing, we must reject targeted division and unite to protect our fragile peace.
Horror hit the streets of Belfast on June 8th when a man was stabbed by a man in the North of the city.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) say officers were sent to Kinnaird Avenue, Belfast, at approximately 10.30pm on Monday, as video of the horrific attack was shared on social media. The PSNI added that the victim was rushed to hospital while another man was arrested in connection with the incident.
Police later confirmed that a man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault involving a knife in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast.
With traumatic and shocking incidents, society must always put the victim first. Their recovery, and support for their family, must be at the heart of emotional out-pouring.
This shocking attack should not be used as a vehicle for racist unrest. Blaming whole communities for the actions of individuals is inexcusable, but that is exactly what is happening, as racist social media posts whip people into hysteria. The racist undertones are explicit online, with some right-wing accounts on X calling for immigration changes in response to the attack.
The Mirror has seen a warning circulated for businesses to close their doors early tonight, as ‘protests’ will be staged across the city. It is not clear who these demands are emerging from, or whether they will be abided by local businesses.
The PSNI responded to these posts in a press conference on June 9. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson pleaded for “calm heads”. He added: “We would expect and hope that those who may want to protest will allow people to go about their own lives. People have a right to have their voice heard.”
No right-minded person in society wants to see a repeat of the violence that began in Ballymena in 2025. Northern Ireland knows more than most that peace is fragile, and we must protect it.
Belfast-based users on Reddit are concerned. One user commented that they were “scared to travel”, while another said they were “traumatised”.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said the alleged perpetrator of the knife attack was in the UK under a five-year visa. He said the man “needs to be convicted and deported on the first flight out on a one-way ticket.”
Politicians have called for calm amid fears of possible riots, with Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP saying: “I know emotions are running high – there is anger and concern but I do urge everyone to remain calm to allow the police to carry out their investigation and allow people to establish the full facts.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a statement about the “strong community concerns” in regards to the incident. It read: “We understand there are strong community concerns after last night’s shocking attempted murder in north Belfast.
“We are aware of inaccurate online posts regarding the victim’s condition. We can confirm that the injured man remains in a serious condition in hospital. As our investigation has progressed, we can also confirm that the man in custody is Sudanese and not Somalian, as initially believed.”
In times of deep city-wide shock, we must pull together to rally behind the victim, the victim’s family, and those members of the community who are frightened for reprisal attacks.
