A Belfast march demanding an end to mass immigration has gone viral amid large-scale protests across the United Kingdom.
The U.K. has witnessed violent scenes following a victory for the Labour Party in July 4’s general election. Rioting by pro-Palestinian activists followed in Leeds, signaling the start of a turbulent period for the country.
After three children were murdered in Southport, England, on Tuesday, July 30, right-wing protesters have taken to the streets demanding the newly elected government take action. These protests have spread across the country, resulting in arrests and criminal damage on a nightly basis.
However, one of the more surprising scenes took place in Northern Ireland, where, in a historic moment, Catholics and Protestants marched side by side in a protest against mass immigration.
Many on social media noted the significance of the march.
Others wondered why mainstream media outlets had not covered the events in a region closely associated with President Joe Biden.
Some, for sure, were confused.
Catholics and Protestants have long been divided over the situation in Northern Ireland; the former are strongly in favor of unification with the Republic of Ireland, while Protestants have historically favored its existing status under British rule.
So much were the differences that the country saw a prolonged period of violence known as The Troubles. Militant groups both loyal and opposed to the British government engaged in a 27-year guerrilla campaign, with civilian infrastructure and landmarks of military significance regularly targeted by both sides. Even today, some three decades after The Troubles ended, the two sides strongly disagree over the status of Northern Ireland.
To see both united on a single issue is quite simply extraordinary.
