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Racist Attacks Target Romanians in Belfast

Immigrants to Northern Irish capital fear for lives

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2009 7:15 AM CDT
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(Newser) – More than 100 Romanian immigrants in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast have been moved into a shelter after a series of racist attacks on their homes. A Protestant paramilitary group is suspected of orchestrating the violence, which has included bricks thrown through windows and death threats against a baby. "The whole thing has escalated very quickly," one social worker told the BBC.

The group of 115 Romanians, who include a 5-day-old infant, originally took shelter in a single house before being escorted by police to a church. Many have said they do not want to leave the shelter. "We are not going back to our house. It is not safe," said one immigrant. "We will stay here for a couple more days but I don't know after that."

More than 100 Romanian people who were forced to flee their homes in south Belfast have been moved to a leisure center in the city.
More than 100 Romanian people who were forced to flee their homes in south Belfast have been moved to a leisure center in the city.   (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
A Romanian woman covers her head as she arrives at a Belfast City Leisure center, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June, 17, 2009.
A Romanian woman covers her head as she arrives at a Belfast City Leisure center, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June, 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
A Romanian woman covers the head of a child as they arrive at a Belfast City Leisure center, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June, 17, 2009.
A Romanian woman covers the head of a child as they arrive at a Belfast City Leisure center, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June, 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
The group of about 20 families spent Tuesday night in a church hall after a spate of racist attacks on their homes over the past week.
The group of about 20 families spent Tuesday night in a church hall after a spate of racist attacks on their homes over the past week.   (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Romanian people arrive at a Belfast City Leisure center, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June, 17, 2009.
Romanian people arrive at a Belfast City Leisure center, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June, 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
ChickenChopper
Jun 17, 2009 1:34 AM CDT
wow, they have fox news in ireland?
Fondue
Jun 17, 2009 1:20 AM CDT
A very sad situation. In the original article and comments it becomes clear that Ireland is still a backward country and no work. I can figure out why they would let the Romanians in to start with.

Attacks do not seem orchestrated
BBC

Copies of Mein Kampft shoved into mailboxes
Daily Mail (UK)

 
immigration • sectarian violence • Northern Ireland • racism • Romania • Belfast

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