Racist attacks ‘have left us living in a state of fear’

Jane said some families were considering moving to Scotland, Wales or parts of England where there has not been unrest in recent days.

She said there had been an escalation in racism in Northern Ireland in recent months, not just the past week.

At the same time, she said she had been encouraged by offers of support.

“Don’t underestimate the small gestures, the people who have sent messages just saying: ‘I hope you’re safe, I hope your family are safe’, offering to go to the shops with someone if they don’t feel safe,” she said.

“Those neighbourly, beautiful moments.

“They mean a lot in a period like now.”

Mr Eguaogie is involved with a number of organisations including Belfast City of Sanctuary and Diverse Youth NI, and has been in Northern Ireland for 14 years.

He said the recent trouble had been “absolutely disgraceful” and “shocking”.

“It has put everybody including myself in a state of fear and panic where people do not know what else to do,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra.

“You have lived in a community for quite a long time that has been very peaceful and welcoming and all of a sudden your door is smashed in, that’s shocking.”

He said a number of activities planned for young people from ethnic minorities had had to be cancelled.

“We have had to reassure parents, please keep your children at home and Muslim women should stay at home because they are a target because of the hijab,” he added.

On Wednesday, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister said people involved in recent disorder in Northern Ireland were “causing destruction to their own communities”.

The Democratic Unionist Party Emma Little-Pengelly told reporters at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine that nothing was achieved by violence.