Kind-hearted local people have rallied behind a fundraising effort to help businesses damaged in racially motivated public disorder in Belfast – raising over £100,000 in three days.
A Go Fund Me appeal was originally set up to help the owners of the Sahara Shisha Café in Botanic, which was attacked during riots in the city on Saturday evening, following an anti-immigration rally.
Within hours of pictures appearing on social media of the extensive damage caused to the premises, local man Stephen Montgomery launched an appeal hoping to raise £15,000 to help the owners rebuild their business.
By Sunday evening, the total had leapt to over £50,000 and, by Tuesday morning over £100,000 had been raised to help the mostly Muslim-owned businesses that had been targeted.
Mr Montgonery says that due to the generosity, the appeal is now in a position to help many more businesses that were affected by “the hateful protests.”
He said: “We’re absolutely overwhelmed and in awe at everyone’s gratitude during these dark times. 
A huge clean-up operation got underway the morning after the attacks with business owners left counting the cost of the damage to their livelihoods – and with many saying they were unsure if they would be able to re-open.
And while there has been widespread outrage at the riots, where petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at police and multiple businesses attacked, there are further anti-immigration rallies planned for Belfast.
On Monday evening, a small protest took place outside the BBC in south Belfast and later in the evening riot police and a police drone were deployed in the Sandy Row and the Donegall Road areas as violence once again broke out.
More protests are planned for Friday evening, mirroring the disorder in England where there have been over 100 arrests made at rallies in cities including, Manchester, Blackpool, Hull and Liverpool.
Meanwhile money continues to pour into Mr Montgomery’s appeal – along with messages of love and support.
“The TRUE spirit of Belfast is unity in the face of ignorance and hate,” wrote one woman. “Together we stand against hatred.” Wrote another.
“You Don’t Get To Be Racist And Irish,” asserted one man, who generously donated to the appeal.
Donations to the appeal can be made here: Fundraiser by Stephen montgomery : Help repair racially motivated damages (gofundme.com)