Belfast riots: Why UK mobs see racial violence as 'national defence' Submitted by Amina Shareef on Thu, 06/11/2026 - 16:23 For years, politicians and media have encouraged people to view migrants as invaders, and Muslims as a problem to be managed A building burns during riots in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 9 June 2026 (Paul Faith/AFP) On Droves of masked men gather . Cars and bins are set alight. Thick smoke fills the air.