Community Concern Over Racist Graffiti Incident
Residents of a building in Belfast are reportedly "now terrified" following the appearance of racist graffiti, with fears growing about "what's next," according to a community advocate.
Police are currently investigating a series of anti-social behaviour incidents in the Alfred Street area of Belfast. The most recent event involved graffiti containing a racially offensive slur sprayed on a wall inside the Bass Buildings.
Ana Chandran, representing the Belfast Asian Women's Academy, described the graffiti as "not just a racial slur it was also a death threat."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.
Community Voices Shock and Fear
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme on Monday, Chandran expressed her shock at the incident.
"It's absolutely shocking."
"It's sad that we are losing are freedoms slowly, we can't even speak our own language when we are outside and we have to be careful - looking over our shoulder,"
"I can't believe it has come to this stage."
On Sunday, Annu Keshy, a resident of the Bass Buildings, told NI that she refrains from speaking her own language when outside.
"I only speak in English. I'm not myself. I'm more aware,"
These statements highlight the growing anxiety among residents following the hate crime.
