London's Muslim Mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned the riots that erupted across Northern Ireland following an attempted behading attack in Belfast, calling the violence "racist mob violence" and urging authorities to prevent further disorder. 30-year-old Sudanese migrant Hadi Alodid has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the stabbing and appeared in court this week.
The comments came after several nights of unrest following the June 8 attack on Stephen Ogilvie, who was seriously injured and required emergency treatment after members of the public intervened before emergency services arrived. His eye was gouged out in the attack.
In a statement released Thursday, Khan said the attack itself was "truly horrific" but argued that subsequent violence targeting homes and residents was unjustified. "The knife attack in Belfast on Monday was truly horrific. My thoughts are with Stephen Ogilvy and his family, who deserve justice. Targeting and terrorising innocent people because of the colour of their skin, including setting fire to their homes, has nothing to do with justice or a desire to keep communities safe, however.
"It is racist mob violence, which has been organised, enabled and whipped up by those seeking to profit politically and financially from hatred, fear and disorder. Social media platforms that give money and reach to these individuals to promote their hate need to be held to account," he went on.
"They cannot be allowed to continue pouring petrol on the flames. The disgraceful violence is a direct consequence of the normalisation of vile, racist rhetoric across the UK, which needs to be challenged far more robustly in our political discourse.
"I welcome the steps the Prime Minister has taken to work with police and the First Minister of Northern Ireland. We must stand together to prevent further disorder, and to take on the hateful forces that seek to divide us."
Authorities have mounted a large-scale response to the unrest. Water cannon were deployed during a second night of violence as police sought to restore order in affected areas. According to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, crews responded to 62 incidents linked to the disorder.
A total of 27 people were left homeless, including a two-month-old baby, after homes and businesses were damaged. Ogilvie's family later called for calm, saying they did not want the attack used to deepen divisions between communities.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the disorder as unacceptable and said he had been working with police and Northern Ireland ministers as efforts continue to prevent further violence.
The comments came after several nights of unrest following the June 8 attack on Stephen Ogilvie, who was seriously injured and required emergency treatment after members of the public intervened before emergency services arrived. His eye was gouged out in the attack.
In a statement released Thursday, Khan said the attack itself was "truly horrific" but argued that subsequent violence targeting homes and residents was unjustified. "The knife attack in Belfast on Monday was truly horrific. My thoughts are with Stephen Ogilvy and his family, who deserve justice. Targeting and terrorising innocent people because of the colour of their skin, including setting fire to their homes, has nothing to do with justice or a desire to keep communities safe, however.
"It is racist mob violence, which has been organised, enabled and whipped up by those seeking to profit politically and financially from hatred, fear and disorder. Social media platforms that give money and reach to these individuals to promote their hate need to be held to account," he went on.
"They cannot be allowed to continue pouring petrol on the flames. The disgraceful violence is a direct consequence of the normalisation of vile, racist rhetoric across the UK, which needs to be challenged far more robustly in our political discourse.
"I welcome the steps the Prime Minister has taken to work with police and the First Minister of Northern Ireland. We must stand together to prevent further disorder, and to take on the hateful forces that seek to divide us."
Authorities have mounted a large-scale response to the unrest. Water cannon were deployed during a second night of violence as police sought to restore order in affected areas. According to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, crews responded to 62 incidents linked to the disorder.
A total of 27 people were left homeless, including a two-month-old baby, after homes and businesses were damaged. Ogilvie's family later called for calm, saying they did not want the attack used to deepen divisions between communities.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the disorder as unacceptable and said he had been working with police and Northern Ireland ministers as efforts continue to prevent further violence.
