On a Tuesday evening in June 2026, hundreds of masked people marched through Glasgow city centre, attacking five members of the public “because of the colour of their skin.” Similar violence erupted in Belfast, where houses, cars and a bus were set on fire. The unrest was triggered by a knife attack in Belfast the previous night, but it has laid bare the combustible mix of far-right mobilisation, anti-immigration sentiment and community tensions that has erupted in UK cities before.
The immediate spark was a stabbing on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast on Monday 8 June. A man in his 40s, Steven Ogilvy, was attacked and left with the loss of his left eye, damage to his right eye, and injuries to his neck and back. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, was charged with attempted murder. The Home Office confirmed that Alodid entered the UK in 2023 and was given refugee status. By Tuesday evening, hundreds of protesters gathered in Belfast and Glasgow, many with faces covered, carrying Union flags and banners. In Belfast, public transport was suspended after a Glider bus was set alight; in Glasgow, police closed streets and diverted crowds. Three men were arrested in Glasgow for offences including racist assaults. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell of Police Scotland said: “There is no place for racism and violence in Scotland.”
“Explains the recent anti-immigration protests in UK cities following a knife attack in Belfast.”
These protests are the latest in a pattern of far-right demonstrations that have followed high-profile crimes committed by immigrants or asylum seekers. In the UK, similar unrest has occurred after incidents in Southport, Rochdale and elsewhere, often fuelled by online misinformation and far-right groups. The response from authorities has been a mix of condemnation, policing and appeals for calm. In this instance, the Police Service of Northern Ireland requested mutual aid from other UK forces, and Police Scotland said it would support deployments if needed.
For UK readers, the protests have immediate practical consequences. Travel in Belfast was severely disrupted: Translink suspended all bus and rail services from 5pm and 6pm respectively on Wednesday, with debris on roads and rail lines causing delays. Visitors to Belfast were advised to travel earlier in the day and allow extra time. In Glasgow, shopkeepers closed early on safety advice. More broadly, the violence raises concerns about community safety and the potential for further disorder. Political leaders and human rights campaigners condemned the “thugs” involved, but the underlying tensions remain.
Q: Why did anti-immigration protests break out in Belfast and Glasgow? A: The protests followed a knife attack in Belfast on Monday 8 June, in which a Sudanese refugee was charged with attempted murder. Far-right groups mobilised quickly, leading to violent demonstrations that targeted ethnic minorities and damaged property.
Q: Is it safe to travel to Belfast right now? A: On Wednesday 10 June, Translink suspended all bus and rail services from late afternoon due to expected protests, and services resumed the next morning with possible debris-related delays. Visitors should check with transport operators and allow extra time.
Q: Who was the man who intervened in the knife attack? A: Maitiu Mág Tighearnán was identified as the member of the public who struck the suspect with a hurling stick, potentially saving the victim’s life. A GoFundMe campaign raised nearly £600 to “buy him a pint” in recognition of his bravery.
What happens next depends on whether further protests are organised. Police Scotland said they were “prepared to deal with any escalation in disorder over the coming days.” In Belfast, politicians and police have called for calm, but with tensions high, further demonstrations cannot be ruled out. The legal process against Hadi Alodid will continue, with his first court appearance on Wednesday 10 June.