Demonstration held in Birmingham city centre with Ulster banner held high after Belfast knife attack
People held up Union, Ulster and England flags
A video shared on social media shows a group gathering with flags in Birmingham city centre this evening in the wake of a knife attack in Northern Ireland.
The demonstration is one of many taking place in major cities across the UK on Tuesday after a man was seriously injured in the attack in Belfast on Monday (June 8).
A Sudanese man in his 30s was arrested following the attack in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast.
He has been charged with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and threats to kill, police have confirmed.
A man in his 40s sustained significant injuries to his eyes as well as slash wounds to his face and back, police said.
A video that circulated on social media showed a number of people, including one wielding a hurling stick, confronting the apparent attacker until the police arrived.
Demonstrations were subsequently planned in more than 70 cities across the UK at 7pm today including in the West Midlands.
Groups have gathered in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.
A video shows people waving Union and English flags as well as an Ulster banner outside Birmingham Town Hall in Victoria Square.
Ahead of the gatherings West Midlands Police said in a statement: “We are aware of potential demonstrations this evening and have appropriate plans in place.
“We have a long history of upholding the right to protest, while balancing it with the rights of others, to keep the public safe and prevent crime and disorder.”
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was no indication the attack was terror related and pleaded for calm ahead of the expected protests.
Mr Henderson said the PSNI understood the suspected attacker had leave to remain in the UK.
He said it was understood the man had entered the UK across the Irish border, having travelled from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. He was living close to the scene of the incident, Mr Henderson said.
A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene, Mr Henderson said. Police initially said they believed the suspect in custody was from Somalia but later clarified that he is Sudanese.