A peaceful demonstration was held at Derry’s Guildhall, with the organizer appealing for residents to voice their frustrations through dialogue rather than violence.

Waterside resident Stephen Thompson, who arranged the gathering, said he had written a speech to convey the need for a non-violent approach. He stated that he had experienced intense anger earlier in the week but believed that reaching out to politicians and extending an olive branch was the only civilised way forward. He emphasised that people’s voices must be heard and that real pain existed in the community.

During his address, an attendee unfurled the Irish tricolour in front of the Guildhall. After Mr Thompson finished speaking, another person stepped onto the steps and shouted remarks about Islam, describing it as an ideology rather than a religion, and called for a return to Christianity.

Police officers were present throughout the event, monitoring proceedings from positions along the Derry Walls.

On Tuesday, a separate protest took place in the Tullyally area of the city, where demonstrators blocked the road for a period. Police attended and diverted traffic along the main route between Altnagelvin Hospital and Drumahoe.

While the Derry events remained peaceful, violent scenes were reported in parts of Belfast and other areas of Northern Ireland during separate protests held on Tuesday night.