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Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the riots in Ballymena: unequivocal political response essential
The recent rioting in Ballymena and surrounding areas is troubling on a number of levels, not least that it is unlikely to be an isolated event. What started out as a peaceful protest following an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in Ballymena on June 7th quickly descended into race riots when it then emerged that the alleged perpetrators, two 14-year old boys, needed the services of a Romanian interpreter during their court appearance. Studies of what happened show that Ballymena became the locus of far-right social media activity. At the most acute phase of the rioting, Ballymena was mentioned nearly 80,000 times across different platforms. Crucially, most of these accounts were from outside Northern Ireland. An analysis of these posts shows that many of them fall within the legal definition of incitement to hatred. It also became clear that many of the rioters were not from Ballymena and were intent on exploiting local tensions. Sporadic violence spread elsewhere in Northern Ireland as well. READ MORE This is similar to what happened in Southport in southern England last year. Far-right activists are opportunistically co-ordinating through social media to stoke tensions and foment race riots. There are some lessons to be learned. One is the need for ongoing improvement in social media controls. Elon Musk, the owner of X, has dismantled most of the guardrails on his platform on the basis that they undermine free speech. The reality is that X has become an unmediated platform for hateful content that has very real consequences for the more vulnerable in society, such as the migrant community in Ballymena. Against this backdrop, the EU has no choice but to resist any pressure from the Trump administration to lessen controls on social media as a quid pro quo for a US-EU trade deal. A key goal of the EU rules is to place responsibility on social media companies to ensure online content is safe, fair and secure. However, local factors were also at play in Ballymena. The town has become an unemployment blackspot in recent decades. Meanwhile, the 2021 census shows the arrival of non-English speaking migrants into the town and surrounding areas in recent years. While some tensions have been reported, the recent riots are a dramatic and worrying escalation. In responding to this, political leadership is important. Wrapping criticism of thuggish, racist violence with suggestions that shortcomings in managing immigration in some way provide a rationale – as at least some politicians seem to have done – is not acceptable. Condemnation of what happened must be unequivocal.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Mayor Daley had a shoot-to-kill order" - Isiah Thomas recalls the hardships of growing up on the West Side of Chicago
At a very young age, Isiah Thomas grasped the harsh realities of life. Growing up in a struggling family on the West Side of Chicago, young Zeke faced numerous challenges that shaped his early years. He still vividly remembered enduring many street riots, living in constant fear that he might one day find himself either in danger of being killed or facing imprisonment. These experiences left a profound impression on Thomas. At the time, he used to feel a sense of urgency to create a better life for himself and his family. However, as a kid, Isiah often felt powerless to do or cause any meaningful change. "During that period of time, there were four riots, fallout you know, race riots, on the West Side of Chicago," the Hall of Fame point guard recalled during a heartfelt interview at Seton Hall University in 2023. "And if some of you Google it, you'll see Mayor [Richard J.] Daley had a shoot-to-kill order on the West Side of Chicago if we were out past six o'clock." "The first time I had a weapon pulled on me was by the United States government," Thomas continued. "The National Guard roll up, I lived on the Congress and Holman, they came up off the Eisenhower Expressway, I lived at 3340 West Congress, the tank pulled up off the expressway and they pointed the barrel coincidentally right at our house and you know, so, those were very turbulent times." Admittedly, Thomas often reflects on his life with a deep sense of gratitude for the unwavering strength and boundless love of his parents. As he reminisces about his childhood, Zeke couldn't help but recognize the immense sacrifices they made to provide for him and his siblings. Isiah could still remember the humiliating yet effective ways his parents devised just to put food on the table and keep their household running. Their relentless determination to make ends meet was inspiring and heart-wrenching for Thomas. However, as the strain of their difficult circumstances grew heavier, the emotional toll became overwhelming. Eventually, the constant pressure led to his parents' separation, a turning point that left Thomas feeling as though their situation had transitioned from bad to worse. Through it all, Thomas' appreciation for his parents remains intact, as he understands the complexities of their struggles and the depth of their commitment to their family. "During that period of time, I remember that we had to go on welfare and when you went on welfare a man couldn't be in the house," Zeke further shared. "And I remember the social worker or the welfare man would come by the house, and my father would have to go in the closet and hide or have to leave. And you know, that just caused a lot of him losing his dignity. My mom and my dad ended up breaking up." Despite constant adversities, Thomas was able to gather the emotional and physical strength necessary to navigate the notorious environment of the West Side of Chicago. For Zeke, this part of the city was not just a difficult place but also a crucible that forged his character and honed the skills essential for his personal growth and aspirations for change. Through the struggles and obstacles Thomas encountered growing up, he learned invaluable lessons about perseverance and determination. He came to understand that every hardship contributed to shaping him into the individual he is today. Ultimately, Isiah recognized that his experiences on the West Side of Chi-Town were pivotal in molding his identity and fueling his drive for success. "To me, the West Side was strictly about survival. Every day was about surviving. How you're going to eat, how you're going to act in school. It was a test of your instincts. There were no written rules. Everything was about how well you listened, how well you observed, and how quickly you processed that," remarked Thomas in 2004, per the New York Times. Thomas found solace in playing basketball. He was recruited by Indiana University in college and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1981. Despite his undeniable success, Zeke still represented the West Side of Chicago. In return, he continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Chicago natives even to this very moment. His deep affection for the people of Chicago remains evident, and they admire him not only for his legendary basketball career but also for his uncompromising commitment to associating himself with the city and its people. They find Thomas' love for them truly fascinating, considering the challenges and traumatic experiences he faced during his time in Chicago. Today, Thomas is viewed by Chicagoans as a symbol of resilience and pride, embodying the spirit of the city. His connection to Chicago transcends sports, as he stands as a testament to the strength and love that can flourish even in the face of adversity.
