Several roads were closed for a time on Thursday evening as anti-immigration protesters gathered for what was dubbed on social media as ‘Operation Shutdown’.
Buses had to be diverted from two locations in Belfast as demonstrators blocked the Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast and the top of the Oldpark Road. There was also a protest on the Shore Road .
Several dozen people took part in the gathering on the Newtownards Road. About 10 people were blocking the Shore Road with a couple of dozens watching on.
Protesters also gathered at the Cloughfern Roundabout, near Rathcoole in Newtownabbey. Buses were diverted for a time as the road was blocked.
Other sites in Belfast where protests were due to take place included at Broadway. A small number of people were seen gathered across the road from the McDonald’s at the bottom of Broadway not far from the Rise sculpture.
In Carrickfergus, several dozen people took to the streets. There were planned protests in Bangor, Larne and Coleraine.
However, there was some confusion as to where at least one protest was supposed to take place.
The ‘Official Protestant Coalition’, which appeared to be one of the main promoters of ‘Operation Shutdown’, asked for information about a protest in Larne, around the same time it was due to start.
“Anyone know what roundabout Larne protest is as few people wanting to attend,” the poster asked, receiving one reply: “Heard somewhere the harbour.”
The same social media site had, an hour and a half prior to the 7pm start of the protests, had asked people are they ready. It received 22 likes and three shares.
One immigrant support organisation was being careful on behalf of its members prior to ‘Operation Shutdown’, advising its members to avoid a long list of locations across the north where it was believed protests were going to take place.
African and Caribbean Support Northern Ireland (ASCONI) compiled the list from those out out by supporters of the protests, including ‘Official Protestant Coalition’. It was not clear as of late Thursday at how many locations protests took place.
Commenting ahead of Thursday’s planned protests, a PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are aware of planned protests taking place across multiple locations this Thursday, September 18 from 7pm.
“We are monitoring the situation and are planning for a proportionate policing response.”
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