What started as protests has become violent riots, as houses and businesses believed to belong to immigrants have been torched after a Sudanese man stabbed a man.
On June 8, a man was seriously hurt in a knife attack in North Belfast, Northern Ireland. With the swift intervention of the police, a suspect, Hadi Alodid, was arrested and later charged with attempted murder.
Although the case is now moving through the courts, the people of North Belfast gathered to protest, demanding answers about crime and the suspect’s background. 
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The attack was allegedly captured on video by a witness and widely shared on social media, but details of the attacker were unclear right after the incident. Early reports by the police claimed the suspect was Somali. Later, more complete reporting identified him as Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese refugee. This mix-up added to the confusion and anger that followed.
Consequently, things quickly escalated. The people of North Belfast attacked homes, businesses, and cars believed to belong to immigrants. Some buildings were set on fire as well.
According to PBS News, police deployed water cannons, made arrests, and called in extra officers from across the UK. At least a dozen officers were injured while trying to restore order. Families in the area felt scared. Some families even left their homes temporarily for safety.
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The violence didn’t happen in a vacuum. Immigration has become a hot topic across the United Kingdom and many other countries. Some people saw the attack as proof that the immigration system has serious problems. Others argued it’s wrong to blame whole communities for the actions of one individual.
The victim, Stephen Ogilvie (44), reportedly lost his left eye and suffered serious injuries to his face, head, and back. The case continues through the legal system, with the next hearing scheduled for early July.
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