Police officers injured during protest as Hillary Clinton visited Belfast
Four men were arrested during the demonstration outside Queen’s University on Thursday evening.
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Your support makes all the difference.A number of police officers were injured during a protest against Hillary Clinton in Belfast.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a full investigation has been launched into scenes of public disorder outside Queen’s University on Thursday.
The protest took place while the former US presidential candidate addressed a summit at the university, where she is the chancellor.
Protesters returned to the streets on Friday evening as further pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held at the City Hall and outside the university.
A source at Queen’s said a senior member of staff has received a viable threat on their life and that students at the university have also been threatened, and three members of staff have been injured following Thursday’s scenes.
They said the university is calling for protesters to de-escalate and engage only in peaceful protests, in the interest of public safety and to prevent students putting their futures at risk.
The PSNI said four men were arrested. Three, aged 18, 20 and 21 years old, have been charged with resisting police.
The 18-year-old was also charged with obstructing police and the 21-year-old with obstructing police and assault on police.
They are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on December 12.
A fourth man, aged 57, was released.
South Belfast District Commander Superintendent Finola Dornan said every effort was made to facilitate those engaging in peaceful protest, and said it is unacceptable and without justification that a number of officers were injured.
“During the course of a protest in the university area of south Belfast, our policing team responded to a number of public disorder offences on the afternoon of Thursday November 14,” she said.
“The right to protest, freedom of speech and assembly are fundamental human rights. They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest, balanced against the rights and protection of others.
“What was experienced yesterday cannot be described as peaceful in nature. In order to manage risks to the public and to our officers, additional resources, including tactical support officers, were required, significantly over and above the initial local police deployment.
“A number of our officers were injured and this is unacceptable and without justification. In spite of these challenges, every effort was made to facilitate those engaging in peaceful protest to continue to express their views.
“A full investigation into the disorder yesterday has been launched.
“We will review footage with a view to identifying any other offences that have been committed. I would encourage anyone with any information which could assist police to contact us on 101 and quote reference 890 of 14/11/24.”
In a statement on Thursday, Queen’s said that while they respected the right to protest peacefully, it was “disappointed at the action of this small number of protesters and condemn their behaviour”.
On Friday evening, police warned of traffic disruption due to a rally moving through the city centre.
The rally started at Belfast City Hall and moved towards Wellington Place, Fisherwick Place and Great Victoria Street in the direction of Queen’s.
There was a significant police presence outside the university as protesters carrying Palestinian flags shouted “shame”.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “You’re advised to avoid these areas at this time – and seek an alternative route for your journey.”