Racism in Northern Ireland must be stamped out before it grows out of control, protesters insisted today.
More than 1,500 people marched today in Belfast to denounce the rise in racist attacks against members of ethnic communities.
The Anti-Racism Network said there were at least five racist or homophobic attacks in Belfast every week.
"Northern Ireland is pretty famous for prejudice and we've always had problems with sectarianism. We're trying to nip the problem of racism in the bud," said spokesman Mr Steven Alexander.
According to figures given to the Belfast District Policing Partnership, there were 129 hate crimes recorded throughout the city over a recent 183-day period.
The protest march, which took an hour to wind its way from Art College to the City Hall, included representatives of all the political parties and trade union groups. There was also a strong presence from minority groups such as the Chinese Welfare Association, the Belfast Jewish community, the Indian Community Centre and the Belfast Islamic Centre.
Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said the message of the march was that the racists behind the recent wave of attacks on ethnic minorities must stop immediately.
"The ethnic minority community in this city are part of the fabric of our society and must be defended and protected," he said.
"The rights and entitlements of all citizens must be upheld and all people must be allowed to live their lives in peace without the threat of racist attack or abuse."
PA