I absolutely condemn and abhor the vile Islamophobic and racist attacks that have occurred in my constituency of South Belfast and other parts of Belfast over the past number of days. First, let me be clear that Belfast is a progressive, forward-looking and inclusive city. It is a place that I am proud to call home and it is proudly diverse. The scenes of racist violence, destruction, thuggery and intimidation are disgusting and are not reflective of the Belfast that I know and love. On Saturday, I was on the ground alongside activists, countering the racist demonstration at City Hall. Later that day, I stood side by side with the proud residents of the lower Ormeau Road, who stood up and stopped the racist mob from progressing further on our streets. Later that day, I met the owners of businesses that were attacked along Botanic. Indeed, accommodation housing refugees and asylum seekers was attacked.

Lessons can be learned from the policing operation, and mistakes must not be repeated. The priority must be to protect people and property and face down racism, violence and intimidation. However, those responsible for what happened over the past number of days are the individuals and groups who whipped up hate online and then came out onto our streets to cause havoc and mayhem, fuelled by Islamophobia and racist hate. Those people must now be held accountable for their actions and face the full force of the law. There can be no place for racism, hatred, discrimination or intimidation anywhere in our society.

Throughout the past week, I have been on the ground, constantly engaging with our minority communities and our businesses in areas where sporadic violence and attacks have been continuing. People are living in real fear, and you are hearing that daily. Already, we are hearing reports of nurses planning to leave the North in search of a safer location. They are people who work in our hospitals, they are our local shopkeepers and they are our neighbours.

The message coming from the Chamber today must be one of unity — no ifs, no buts. Belfast is a proud, multicultural city. Hate, racism and discrimination will not be tolerated by its people. It is time for all political parties and community leaders to be unequivocal in their condemnation of racist, Islamophobic violence. No longer can people be allowed to hide from public scrutiny. With one voice today, we say, "Stop". Stop the hate, stop the Islamophobia, stop the racism, stop the hatred and discrimination and stop the intimidation. We must stand in solidarity with our minority communities, and I will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you as one community.

[Interruption.]