A series of anti-immigration protests have been planned for this Thursday.
Several groups have posted online about ‘Operation Shutdown,’ with locations so far including ‘Freedom Corner’ beside loyalist paramilitary murals on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast and in Carrickfergus.
The event has been highlighted on the social media page, Official Protestant Coalition.
Originally linked to the loyalist flag protests of 2012, the page has more recently highlighted anti-immigration protests in Belfast and celebrated the death of Pope Francis while comparing him to the anti-christ.
After sharing a poster for Operation Shutdown on Monday, the group then posted about the UK Government’s Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.
“The Afghans can GTF. Our government are a disgrace dishing out that amount of money while we have our own people including veterans and homeless without 2 pennies to rub together. I am ashamed of my government,” the post read.
One of the planned protests is to take place on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast.
The page also called on supporters to keep any protests peaceful.
“This is only the beginning of things to come—we will never give up fighting for the future of our children and grandchildren,” the group wrote.
“Let’s stay united, keep it peaceful, and do not let the usual suspects—statutory agencies—agitate or divide us. No surrender!”
Anti-immigration protests have become increasingly common across Northern Ireland in recent years.
While some have been well-attended, many others have only attracted small numbers.
Commenting ahead of Thursday’s planned protests, a PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are aware of planned protests taking place across multiple locations this Thursday, September 18 from 7pm.
“We are monitoring the situation and are planning for a proportionate policing response.”