The DUP’s Gordon Lyons has urged the disorder in Belfast to “stop” after police fired two Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP) rounds as they came under attack during another night of disorder.
Riot police and a police drone were deployed in the Sandy Row and the Donegall Road area as violence broke out following a weekend of disruption in the area.
Speaking to BBC NI the Communities Minister said there is “no justification” for the continuing disruption.
“I want to condemn it in the strongest possible terms and I also want to send my thoughts to those most affected,” he said.
“There is never any justification for this type of violent behaviour. There is no justification for attack on the police it needs to stop and it needs to stop straight away.”
More than 200 people were involved, as the PSNI were attacked with petrol bombs, bricks, and bottles by a crowd which included youths wearing masks.
The large crowd also gathered outside the Islamic centre until the early hours of the morning.
Some rioters had also attempted to re-torch a supermarket. However, riot police extinguished the fire with water and fire extinguishers.
Police sources told the Belfast Telegraph that two water cannons lent to the Garda have been sent to Belfast. They were not deployed last night, however they may be in operation from today.
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Challenged about whether he thought the levels of immigration in Northern Ireland were influencing the disorder over recent days, Mr Lyons added: “Certainly there are additional pressures n public services in some parts of Northern Ireland. That doesn’t mean there is any justification for violence.
“If you have concerns and want to express those concerns there are legitimate peaceful and democratic ways in which you can do that.
“What I don’t think we should do is downplay how some people are feeling about this issue. When we try to dismiss the legitimate concerns of people it adds to the frustration many people feel.”
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Shortly before 10.30pm, the PSNI advised the public to avoid the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas.
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Saturday’s anti-immigration protest, which was met by a counter-demonstration at city hall, moved to the surrounding streets as some of those involved tried to make their way to the Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city, with businesses attacked and a café set alight.
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Three police officers were injured during the disorder and four members of the public reported that they were assaulted.
Yesterday morning, four men appeared in court over their alleged roles in Saturday’s unrest. All were denied bail.
Yesterday evening, an anti-immigration protest at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast city centre ended with no reports of violence. The protest was set to begin at 5pm with only around 15 protesters arriving shortly before 6pm and they only stayed for around 20 minutes.
More on the weekend’s disorder
“Nothing left just ashes” – Businesses destroyed during night of racist disorder in south Belfast
‘I’m closing forever’: Business owners in Sandy Row leave after anti-immigration protests turn violent