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UUP Must Put Money Where Their Mouth Is
As noted on Slugger, reports of attacks on Polish immigrants in the Donegall Road area of Belfast have reached back home to radio stations in Poland. The attacks took place last week and a protest was held immediately after against alleged anti-social behaviour of those whose houses were attacked.
Polish radio station in question suspects the attacks may have something to do with the religion of the victims (ie they were Catholics in a staunchly loyalist area). At first this would seem plausible, and indeed it may be that that made the situation more volatile, but there have previously been attacks on people of Chinese and African extraction in the same area. I don't think that that's any more or less acceptable, I just want to be sure the correct problem is identified.
Anyway, regardless, the Ulster Unionists have recently highlighted the need for the political parties to work to raise the participation of ethnic minorities in politics. I must contend that they're not likely to participate if they're too afraid to raise their head above the parapet and be seen. To that end, I think the Ulster Unionists should act as responsible leaders of civic unionism and immediately intervene in the 'dispute' and mediate to allow movement towards a solution.