Bunting dispute leads to sectarian rioting
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Serious violence broke out last night between nationalist and loyalist groups in east Belfast.
Police said rival factions of about 50 each threw stones at each other in the Short Strand area at Bryson Street and Pitt Park. But Jim Rodgers,the Lord Mayor of Belfast, said there had been shooting by both sides and there were also unconfirmed reports of blast bombs exploding.
Troops moved into the area in an attempt to separate the factions. There were conflicting claims of how the trouble started, the latest in a series of clashes in the area, but it was apparently prompted by loyalist bunting being strung up next to a Catholic church.
Mr Rodgers appealed for calm. "I have absolutely no doubt there are those that are hell bent on causing trouble and taking problems that we have seen in north Belfast and parts of south Belfast into the east of the city yet again.
"Shots have been fired from both sides, missiles, bottles, bricks have been thrown," he said. East Belfast has recently taken over from north Belfast as the scene of inter-community clashes.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments