Let’s call it by its real name – fascism. When gangs run through a city attacking the shops and restaurants of migrants, it is reminiscent of what happened in Germany in the 1930s.
They start small – but before they grow, they must be stopped.
At the core of the Belfast riots were loyalist paramilitaries. Historically, these have had links with fascist groups in Britain, going back as far as the days of the National Front. Today their hero is Tommy Robinson who specialises in spreading racism, islamophobia, and hatred.
Loyalism is currently in some disarray as its mobilisations over Brexit achieved little. They think that lashing out at migrants will help to revitalise their base. Between sectarianism and racism, there is not a huge gap.
Fascist thugs work with, and draw sustenance from, more conventional right-wing politicians. In Britian, for example, Robinson asked his London protest who voted for Nigel Farage and Reform and every hand went up.
In the North, Unionist politicians have condemned the violence – as they always do – but then talked about the ‘concerns’ of the racists.
However, behind all the horrific attacks there is an important ray of hope which the mainstream media has largely ignored.
Namely that the counter-protests against the fascists are growing and often outnumber the racists.
This was the case in Belfast, when over a thousand people gathered last Saturday at short notice. A massive crowd attended an anti-racist rally in Derry a few days afterwards.
In Dundalk, the fascists have been outnumbered by counter-demonstrations. This is the area where Herman Kelly, the sidekick of Nigel Farage, was hoping to gather his forces.
It will be the case this Saturday when thousands are expected to join a Belfast Welcomes Diversity march which assembles in Writers Square at 12pm.
And throughout Britain huge numbers have turned up to anti-racist mobilisations in many cities, often organised by Stand Up to Racism.
There has been a welcome condemnation of the fascist violence from all sides. But there is an implicit official message which needs to be challenged.
We are being told that the police will deal with the fascists, as if it is just a law and order problem.
Yet in Belfast, the PSNI let the fascists march out from the city centre towards migrant-owned shops. The plain reality is that elements of the police are more likely to sympathise with far-right ideas than with the left.
We therefore need to see strong counter-mobilisation when the fascists try to take control of the streets.