Ballymena has historically been known as part of Northern Ireland’s “Bible Belt”, with strong Protestant churches and Unionist figures like Ian Paisley having deep roots in the town. It is very much a Unionist stronghold, culturally and historically aligned with British political identity. The recent unrest has been largely driven by Ballymena-born locals, mostly white, working‑class, Protestant loyalists (WASPs). Some Catholic residents have also joined in what they describe as a unified voice against immigration (who doesn’t love Jesus and a good riot?). The rioters say they’re “venting their feelings” because they are frustrated by rapid demographic shifts, feeling ignored by authorities, and believing that rising immigration.
The recent case of two 14-year-old boys and the use of a Romanian interpreter in an alleged sexual assault was the excuse to start the riots. Paramilitary-related power structures and mistrust of authorities still linger. There is a sense in Unionist community that when non-Unionists move in that they will weaken their majority which could eventually lead to a vote on a United Ireland. But in general, what is happening is just racism. Their sense of religious generated superiority is a thing to behold.
Northern Ireland is more religious than the rest of the UK, and Protestantism (especially Free Presbyterian, Independent Baptist, and some Pentecostal churches) maintains more literalist interpretations of the Bible. 30–50% of conservative Protestant churchgoers in Northern Ireland may hold Young Earth Creationist beliefs. The late Rev. Ian Paisley and his Free Presbyterian Church promoted literal Biblical interpretation, including YEC. Creationist literature is often distributed in churches and bookstores, and groups like Answers in Genesis have followers in NI.
All this religious frenzy has done nothing but contribute to making everything tribal. They just don’t want change. The funny thing is that most people in the rest of Ireland don’t want change either. We are happy with the Good Friday Peace agreement. We want peace and economic stability but (secretly) very few Irish people want to “get Ulster back”.
Northern Ireland has some of the highest rates of violence against women in Europe. Around 70% of women experienced some form of violence or abuse in the previous 12 months. Among 16-year-old girls, roughly 50% experienced gender-based violence in the last year. Since 2017, 41 femicides have been recorded.
Which men came out onto the streets to protest in any of these cases or to vent their feelings? None. But when two 14-year-old boys are alleged to have committed a sexual assault the area goes on a 3-day riot. They are racists, plain and simple, even if the reasons for ending up that way are complicated.
Why did the chicken cross the road in Ballymena?……….because his daddy did.
Kate Adie, a renowned former BBC chief news correspondent once recounted a story about her experience of a riot in a small town in Northern Ireland in the 1980’s. It was a dark and wet evening with the riot in full swing. She moved under some trees for shelter and to her left the British army were putting out a fire at a checkpoint while firing rubber bullets into the crowd. To her left a woman approached her with a cup of tea and said “This should help you stay warm. Just drop the cup in when you are finished”. LA could learn a lot on how to have a proper riot 😊
Strega 8 months, 3 weeks ago.
