Police have warned ethnic minorities they could be attacked by racist and far-right groups as the third anniversary of the September 11th attacks in the US approaches.
The PSNI says its evidence for such a warning is uncorroborated but it will counter such threats. The warnings come against a backdrop of rising racist attacks on immigrant communities, especially in loyalist areas of south Belfast where paramilitary involvement has been alleged.
The police say 89 racist crimes were reported in south Belfast alone in the first seven months of 2004. Many of those incidents involved serious violence. Attacks have also taken place across Northern Ireland, with communities in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, Craigavon, Co Armagh, and in north Antrim being targeted. The Anti-Racism Network, an alliance which highlights the problems faced by ethnic groups, met last night in Belfast to organise a mobile phone network to support those who may be targeted by racists.
The network is also organising a rally in south Belfast tomorrow to highlight the threats faced by ethnic groups and is calling for the local community to act in their defence.
Mr Davy Carlin, of the Anti-Racism Network, said he believed racists planned threats against Muslim immigrants in particular around September 11th.
"Our information has been that some far-right fascist organisations and other individuals whose sympathy lies with them, who are involved in paramilitary organisations, may use September 11th to attack members of the minority ethnic community, the most vulnerable members at this time in society."
Mr Carlin called for local communities to mobilise in defence of ethnic minority residents.
"These people need a direct and quick response if they face threats."
He also said that a mass rally was being organised later this year to highlight the rise in racism and to co-ordinate the public response.
