On Saturday, up to 15,000 people gathered in Belfast for a peaceful anti-racism rally, marking the end of a week marked by unrest in the city. Meanwhile, in Derry, located about 70 miles from Belfast, tensions escalated into violence later that night.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported that 10 officers were injured during the clashes on Nailors Row, where they were attacked with fireworks, Molotov cocktails, and other missiles.

Superintendent William Calderwood of Derry City and Strabane confirmed the arrest of one individual and stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway to ensure those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.

A huge crowd assembled in Belfast on Saturday, many holding placards with anti-racism and pro-migrant messages. The protest, organized by the United Against Racism group, saw demonstrators march to City Hall while chanting, "When migrants' rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back."

The day prior, around 1,000 people assembled in the city for a counter-protest in response to several hundred anti-immigration demonstrators. A strong police presence, along with barriers, was established to keep the two groups separated.

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'We have made Northern Ireland our home'

Saturday's demonstration saw participation from over 120 groups, with various individuals delivering speeches on a stage outside City Hall. Speakers included women from migrant organizations, representatives from racial equality groups and unions, and a migrant business owner whose establishment was attacked the previous week.

Areeg Fareh, from Anaka Women’s Collective, said: “We have made Northern Ireland our home. We are in communities all around the city. Yes, we have experienced racism. It is challenging and it hurts but most people here have shown us kindness and understanding.

Raied al-Wazzan, vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality and a Muslim who has lived in Belfast for 40 years addressed the crowd, expressing his pride in choosing the city as his home.

“Ethnic minorities are part of the fabric of Belfast. I have spent 43 years of my life here contributing to this community. And I am going to stay here. And I will not go away,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, a mosque in Newtownards, a town 10 miles from Belfast, was targeted with a Molotov cocktail in a racially motivated attack. A petrol bomb was thrown at the building around 1 a.m., and graffiti was sprayed on the front door and walls. Fortunately, the Molotov cocktail failed to ignite.

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

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