Armagh city is to host a “peaceful anti-illegal immigration rally” this Thursday.
In an announcement of the planned action – as shared by Loyalist East Armagh City Facebook page – the rally is due to take place at Kingston Memorial Playing Fields on Barrack Hill at 7.30pm until 8.30pm.
The statement shared by the page reads: “Calling on all concerned parents/citizens of Armagh City and surrounding areas to attend this peaceful rally to express our concerns to the government and local landlords that we have had enough of the influx of illegal immigrants into our local area who wont try and integrate into our way of life.
“Women and children are feeling intimated going to the local playpark due to immigrant men loitering there day in day out. Immigrants dumping their house hold rubbish at the local bonfire.
“They walk about in gangs intimidating the local community. Landlords filling their pockets with government money driving the price of rent up which locals cant afford. It is time we all stood up to this before it’s too late.
“Calling on local representatives to attend also to hear the views of the local community.”
“Bring your placards and stand up for OUR community.”
This follows days after a series of violent anti-immigration protests in the neighbouring county Armagh town of Portadown.
The action in Portadown – which began on Jervis Street on Thursday June 12 – descended into riotous behaviour that evening and also reignited with additional disturbances the following evening.
A spokesperson for PSNI said: “We urge anyone who plans to attend these protests to engage with us as we will be doing our part to ensure the safety of participants and to facilitate the lawful exercise of freedom of expression.
“Police will not tolerate a repeat of the scenes we saw in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland.
“We will continue to diligently monitor the situation to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response and we will be engaging with groups likely to be affected by any protest activity.”
Further advice and information can be found here – https://www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support/keeping-safe/processions-and-protests
Related: Protest against ‘migrant gangs, HMOs and assorted criminal activity’ planned for Portadown
