Community leaders, educators and elected officials have met in west Belfast to coordinate support for ethnic minority families affected by violent attacks and intimidation across the city in recent days. The gathering at St Comgall’s, organised by the West Belfast Partnership Board, aimed to produce an action plan to reassure residents and counter rising tensions.

Lord Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly stated that such meetings can bring about change and reaffirmed her commitment to promoting an inclusive and diverse city.

Gerry McConville of the Falls Community Council described daily contact between the West Belfast Community Safety Forum and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He commended outreach youth workers who have been on the streets de-escalating tensions and steering young people away from trouble.

Seán ‘Spike’ Murray of the Springfield Road Residents’ Action Group offered his assessment of the origins of the disorder. He said community representatives do not believe loyalist paramilitary leaderships are directing the violence, though individual members may be involved. He warned that a greater threat comes from former loyalists who have aligned with far-right groups in England, some of whom have travelled to Belfast this week. According to Murray, many loyalists are opposed to what has happened, but a lack of leadership is preventing a united opposition.

Sinn Féin councillor Ciarán Beattie detailed Belfast City Council’s response since the trouble began on Monday, including emergency rehousing and round-the-clock work by council staff. He noted that healthcare workers from ethnic minority backgrounds have been too afraid to travel to work, resulting in cancelled hospital appointments. Those who are working are being escorted home by entire families for safety. A meeting with the Migrant Forum was scheduled for later Thursday.

The human impact on children was underscored by Conor Kennedy of All Saints College on the Glen Road, which has more than 200 pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds. He said the recent disorder has had a massive effect, with some students missing important examinations because they were too frightened to leave their homes. The school helped deliver a food parcel to one family who had barricaded themselves inside their house.

Seán Brady of the human rights organisation PPR argued that everyone present had a responsibility to act individually against racism. He said prejudice and anti-immigrant sentiment had seeped into everyday settings, including bars, leisure centres, chat groups and workplaces, and must be confronted.

Joe Duffy of the West Belfast Partnership Board, who chaired the discussion, summarised the proposed actions. These include a shared letter to be signed by hundreds of community organisations, the introduction of an anti-racism charter at Belfast City Council, and an anti-racism rally at Belfast City Hall on Saturday at 1pm.