30/03/2023

Cllrs Condemn Bangor Protests As 'Absolutely Appalling'

The Green Party has condemned anti- asylum seeker protests in Bangor as "absolutely appalling".

Councillor for Bangor Central, Stephen Dunlop, said: 'Having somewhere safe to live is an absolute necessity for all asylum seekers who are rebuilding their lives here in Northern Ireland - free from war, persecution and violence. It's absolutely appalling that people seeking asylum here are being subjected to this protest in Bangor, as well as dangerous misinformation being circulated online."

Bangor West Councillor Barry McKee added "The inaction of the Home Office is putting people at risk of serious harm. Over the last 10 years successive Home Secretaries have fanned the flames of prejudice and imposed a hostile environment against migrant communities. They have followed a racist and divisive agenda, stoking anti-immigrant feeling, and putting political gain ahead of the rights and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities."

Holywood and Clandeboye representative and Chair of PCSP in Ards and North Down Cllr Rachel Woods said: "These so called protests do not represent the community. People seeking asylum are not criminals, they are human beings fleeing for protection. We are a No Hate Here Borough, and I am proud to live in an area that can offer some protection for people. This is intimidating and disturbing behaviour. The Working Group that has been established within our community has been assisting people and I thank everyone involved for their work and interventions."


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 June 2014
Funding Secured For Voluntary Teacher Redundancies
Funding has been found for 30 voluntary redundancies, Education Minister John O'Dowd has announced. It follows protests held earlier this week over the low number of voluntary redundancies that the minister had approved. Previously 46 voluntary redundancies had been allowed but only in schools that where due to close or that were being amalgamated.
20 May 2022
Bangor Awarded City Status
Bangor has been given official City Status as part of the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition, Ards and North Down Borough Council has announced. For the first time in a City Status competition, an expert panel worked with Ministers to make their recommendations, before being approved by Her Majesty The Queen.
28 June 2005
Police attacked with petrol bombs and paint
Police officers have come under attack with petrol bombs and paint in north Belfast on Monday. Up to 100 people confronted officers as they attempted to make arrests after two devices were thrown at police in Henry Street near Carlisle Circus at about 7.30pm.
08 March 2024
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
05 April 2023
NIFRS Launches 2023 Cadet Scheme Recruitment Campaign
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has launched a new Cadet recruitment campaign. The service is seeking cadets on Belfast, Bangor, Lisburn and Newry, to begin in September 2023.