Ahead of the planned protest this evening in Portadown, there have been a number of concerns highlighted from Council officials, MPs, MLAs and police.
With Ballymena entering its fourth day of continued violence and disorder tensions locally are mounting, with a fear the chaos is spreading.
A number of local representatives – from various political parties – have been voicing their concern in the last 24 hours and their message is clear… violence is not the answer.
What representatives are saying
Speaking ahead of the protest, DUP MP for Upper Bann, Carla Lockhart said: “I am aware of the protest that has been advertised to take place in Portadown tonight.
“Let me be clear: there is a legitimate concern across our society about illegal immigration and the need for firm policies. Those concerns should be heard. But they must be expressed within the boundaries of the law.
“Protests that are conducted within the law are a legitimate form of democratic expression, allowing individuals and groups to voice their opinions, advocate for change, and hold those in power accountable while respecting the rights of others and maintaining public order.
“I will be meeting with the Police today along with DUP colleagues to discuss their approach and the wider context, including recent events such as the Gaza parade and the community concerns that continue to surface surrounding the permission given for this parade.
“I urge all involved to remain calm and respectful. Lawful protest is a right in any free society, but it must not tip into confrontation or chaos. We have already seen in Ballymena how genuine grievances can be hijacked by a minority and spiral into violence. That is neither wanted nor welcome.
“We must also remember that many people from different cultures have been part of our community in Portadown and surrounding areas for years. They are working in our hospitals, schools, and businesses contributing positively to society.
“I strongly encourage everyone to remain calm and to never cross the line into criminal behaviour. The consequences of that can last a lifetime.
“Let’s ensure that whatever message is being sent is done so clearly, peacefully, and responsibly.
“I am here to support, challenge and ensure that the law is upheld.
“My number is 07833 198008 should anyone feel the need to speak with me in the coming days.”
Similarly, Sinn Féin MLA for Upper Bann, John O’Dowd expressed his clear concerns, commenting: “I have urged all political representatives to show leadership and call for a boycott of a racist protest reportedly planned for Thursday evening in Portadown.
“There are reports of a demonstration being organised, with one flyer circulated suggesting the protest will target several homes and a hostel in the area.
“Reports of a racist protest being organised in Portadown by faceless elements are deeply disturbing and disgraceful.
“I am calling on all politicians, particularly those with influence in the greater Portadown area, to distance themselves from this protest and to publicly encourage a boycott.
“Anything less would be a total abdication of leadership at a time when it is needed most.
“We have already seen the misery that racist thugs have inflicted on the people of Ballymena and elsewhere — those scenes must not be repeated in Portadown.”
A statement from Portadown Concerned Parents
This morning (June 12) Loyalist Edgarstown Bonfire Facebook page – who have been actively sharing messaging in support of the protest – shared a statement of behalf of “Portadown Concerned Parents”.
The statement reads: “After recent events elsewhere across Northern Ireland it is clear to see the atmosphere which has been accumulating among the grassroots and working-class communities.
“The concerns which have been raised with Police, Community Groupings, NIHE, Councils, Landlords and Elected representatives from these communities have continued to go unheard and regrettably has spilled over into violence affecting many people in the very communities which have been most affected.
“We believe in our Democratic right to protest and strongly reiterate our wishes of a peaceful and virtuous demonstration in Portadown.
“We have already seen statements which are dangerous and inflammatory, such as those made by John O’Dowd, which strike fear into hardworking, law-abiding local families and those who have made genuine and legal entry to Northern Ireland with a desire to follow and respect our values, to integrate into the community and make a real positive contribution to our society.
“Insinuating violence will take place and belittling already dismissed constituents with real and genuine concerns only causes further division and legitimises bad actors intent on unwanted violence and harm.
“Our communities have long welcomed families and individuals with a desire to contribute and better our society, most of us have befriended neighbors [sic], work colleagues and friends among a variety of nationalities, many of those from European countries like Poland, Portugal, Lithuania, Hungary and Latvia, or Asia such as China and the Philippines, with a great work ethic and alignment of values with our society over the past 20 or more years.
“However, in the most recent years we have seen a vast influx of unvetted, criminal pseudo-asylum seekers, with no intent of contributing or following the everyday values aligned with our society. Inflicting criminality, violence and sexual crime, with a warped perception of how women and children are treated.
“We have also seen the placement of a hostel, with its only purpose being to place the dregs of society into the heart of our town Centre, filled with pedophiles [sic], rapists, murderers, drug addicts and other petty criminals dumped here from prison and other towns throughout Northern Ireland. This hostel is ironically placed mere meters from a Preschool Nursery. We see street begging, drug dealing and drug taking, harassment of members of the public, shoplifting and discarded needles in our town.
“We have also seen an unprecedented spike in HMOs with the only intention of a greedy few twisting planning committees arms, dismissing residents who reside near these buildings with concerns which these properties bring such as anti-social behavior [sic], drug taking, prostitution, human trafficking and theft.
“We also now have gangs threatening the safety and appearance of our town, with some decentralised and others with a more structured organisation, many who are here illegally, working cash in hand in places like car washes and nail salons or sharing insurance policies and driving licenses to work illegally for food delivery companies, which further funds the heads of these gangs who also delve in theft, prostitution, money laundering, human trafficking, drug production/dealing and benefit fraud and intimidation on the community. Funding luxury apartments in far off Balkan countries, enabled by a failing Police force and Judiciary who no longer attempt to stop these activities.
“The community has a hopeless feeling of what is coming and call on the powers that be to step up to the mark and listen to genuine concern around the abandonment of our values, our women and children’s safety and our future generations prospects and opportunity.”
