The truth about the Belfast riots | Claire Hanna interview

Ava is joined by Claire Hanna, the Social Democratic and Labour Party MP for Belfast South and Mid Down, to break down the recent violence and unrest in Northern Ireland. Hanna offers a stark picture of Belfast: a city gripped by fear, with schools closing early, public transport disrupted, and minority communities left vulnerable. However, she challenges the narrative that the violence is simply about immigration, arguing instead that what unfolded was rooted more deeply in racism and racial targeting. Describing scenes that “felt like a pogrom,” Hanna recounts how people were targeted based on how they looked, not their background or status. The conversation also turns to social media, with Hanna warning that platforms and powerful figures are acting as an accelerant, amplifying extreme content and fuelling anger. She highlights how misinformation, viral outrage, and online radicalisation are shaping real-world consequences on the streets. Like PoliticsJOE? We need your support: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticsJOE