A PROTEST against the settling of Syrian refugees in Northern Ireland has been condemned by councillors as "abhorrent".
The small demonstration was held on Tuesday night in Coleraine outside the monthly meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
It was led by Mark Brown, a former leader of the National Front in Northern Ireland, who was earlier this year convicted of a "vile" racist attack on a taxi driver.
He said there was "legitimate concern and worry" about resettling refugees from Syria in the area, saying there has been "nothing whatsoever to endeavour, encourage or help anybody within the locality of Coleraine itself".
NEW VIDEO: Local group of men going to Council meeting in Coleraine this evening to protest about settlement of Syrain Refugees in the local area @milnerowntree @UlsterJournos @Coleraine_Times pic.twitter.com/PgTWyj7QAS
— Ulster Image - Jonny Collins (@UlsterImage) March 26, 2019
Council chief executive David Jackson spoke to the group outside, telling them the decision was a matter for government and not the council.
Sinn Féin councillor Brenda Chivers said the "dismal turnout" of the protest "shows the lack of support for racial intolerance".
"The motive behind this protest is abhorrent. Racism has no place in our society. Displays of racism in any form are unacceptable and wrong," she said.
PUP councillor Russell Watton said that while there are "genuine concerns" about housing refugees when others remain on social housing waiting lists, he condemned the protest and warned of a "serious neo-Nazi element".
