MLA hits out at protest outside hotel in Belfast city centre
They have denied being racist and have said they are raising genuine concerns about immigration.
Stephen Baker said Saturday's protest outside the Ten Square Hotel was staged because it has the same owners as the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey which they have concerns about people being housed in.
He also made a series of unsubstantiated claims on social media about men he said were residing in the Chimney Corner Hotel. According to the hotel's website, the premises are 'currently closed to the general public'.
He concluded: 'At what point do we say, 'no', and end this… I need your support folks, I need your back up. Let's show these lefties that we own these streets.'
Speaking after a counter-demonstration outside the hotel, People Before Profit MLA, Gerry Carroll, said: 'Once again, Belfast has turned out en masse to show far right, racist agitators that their hateful rhetoric has no place in our city.
'Today, this racist mob attempted to move their hate fest from Chimney Corner back into Belfast city centre.
'Their aim was to stir up fear and hatred towards innocent people seeking asylum, including children.
'Unsurprisingly, they were outnumbered by a crowd of hundreds, who reaffirmed the message that Belfast should be a safe and welcoming place for all.
'These racist grifters have nothing to offer working class communities, except hatred and division.
'Each time they attempt to mobilise and invite violence, all of us have a duty to stand up and challenge it.'
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