Stephen Dunlop, Green Party Councillor for Bangor Central said, 'Having somewhere safe to live is an absolute necessity for all asylum seekers who are rebuilding their lives here in Northern Ireland - free from war, persecution and violence. It’s absolutely appalling that people seeking asylum here are being subjected to this protest in Bangor, as well as dangerous misinformation being circulated online.'
Bangor West Councillor Barry McKee said, “The inaction of the Home Office is putting people at risk of serious harm. Over the last 10 years successive Home Secretaries have fanned the flames of prejudice and imposed a hostile environment against migrant communities. They have followed a racist and divisive agenda, stoking anti-immigrant feeling, and putting political gain ahead of the rights and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
Holywood and Clandeboye representative and Chair of PCSP in Ards and North Down Cllr Rachel Woods said, 'These so called protests do not represent the community. People seeking asylum are not criminals, they are human beings fleeing for protection. We are a No Hate Here Borough, and I am proud to live in an area that can offer some protection for people. This is intimidating and disturbing behaviour. The Working Group that has been established within our community has been assisting people and I thank everyone involved for their work and interventions."
ENDS