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Two months have passed since the chaos and destruction enveloped the streets of Ballymena, County Antrim, and the repercussions are still visible. Many houses on Clonavon Terrace remain closed off, bearing the scars of the rioting labeled as “racist thuggery” by the police. The focal point of the aggression was the Roma (Gypsy) community and other foreigners in the town, with some fleeing and deciding not to return.
Slogans like “Locals live here” still adorn the windows on Queen Street, put up by residents trying to shield their homes from attacks. The community is grappling with the aftermath as some notice a shift in the atmosphere. North Antrim MP Jim Allister noted an “exodus of largely Roma and some other eastern Europeans” in the wake of the riots, altering the dynamics of the area.
Efforts to understand and address the grievances continue as some engaged in peaceful protests to safeguard women and girls in the neighborhood from perceived threats posed by “Roma gangs.” However, the fear still lingers among the targeted communities, making it challenging for affected individuals to speak out. Reports indicate that a significant number of Roma residents left Ballymena during the unrest, with uncertainty looming over their potential
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