News

Protestant Coalition defends refugee protest

A man holds a baby as refugees walk towards Vienna after crossing the Hungarian-Austrian border  
A man holds a baby as refugees walk towards Vienna after crossing the Hungarian-Austrian border   A man holds a baby as refugees walk towards Vienna after crossing the Hungarian-Austrian border  

A GROUP linked to the loyalist flag protest has defended a decision to hold an anti-refugee protest in Belfast.

The Protestant Coalition used its Facebook page to call on loyalists to take part in the rally outside Belfast City Hall later this month.

Protestant Coalition spokesman Robert McKee last night said the planned protest was not racist.

His remarks came after the Pat Finucane Centre reported the post to the PSNI as a possible crime after it claimed "we don't want or need refugees/terrorists in Northern Ireland."

A PSNI spokesman said "the content will be considered."

Mr McKee said there is a fear in his community that Islamic extremists are using refugees as cover.

"ISIS have said they are sending warriors in with these refugees," he said.

"We can’t verify if they are genuine refugees."

He claimed that his group had not taken the decision to protest "very lightly".

"We fear an influx of refugees from other countries, it’s hard enough for our kids getting jobs and housing at the minute and people in the army are forgotten about," he said.

Although he claimed the planned protest has "nothing to do with Muslims" he claimed that the religion advocates the stoning to death of rape victims.

Their plight was brought into sharp focus last week after the dead body of a three-year-old Syrian boy was pictured washed up on a Turkish beach after the dingy he and his family were in capsized.