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MAGINNESS CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON POLISH COMMUNITY SDLP Justice Minister Alban Maginness MLA has condemned racially motivated attacks on homes occupied by foreign nationals following Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Poland.
He said: “Those responsible for violent clashes at Saturday’s World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Poland brought shame on their countries and communities.
“The scenes witnessed on the streets of Belfast were not only a throwback to the dark days of the Troubles but were reminiscent of the worst excesses of football hooliganism as scene in England and elsewhere in Europe during the 1980s.
“This type of behaviour is to be totally condemned and should not be tolerated.
“However, the subsequent racially motivated attacks on members of the Polish community are nothing short of contemptible.
“Immigrants of many nationalities have chose to make this part of the world their home.
“We welcome and value their contribution to our society, culture and economy.
“Intimidation and violence directed towards Poles or anyone else have no place in our society and those responsible are simply mindless thugs acting on an agenda of their own making.
“We
must unite as a community and send a message to foreign nationals
living there that they are free to so without fear of attack and
that they have our total support.”
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