Emma's Story: "children had been inside all week too afraid to leave their homes"

Last week after the horrific violence in Belfast tensions were high as people realised that one awful act was going to be used as justification for violence against others.

I drove home from work early and fear set in across Belfast.

Right on time, the streets were quiet apart from those going to protest. A drone and helicopter hovered above, and friends called to ask was I OK after seeing our area on the news, it was frightening to think what an unchecked mob might have done fuelled by misplaced hatred for anyone not from Northern Ireland, rather than the man who committed the crime.

I think race crime is like most violent crime, just more gender-based violence which I’m sure women suffer from in the same way they do here. These protests certainly didn’t make the women and children I know feel any safer.

After an unsettled night and news of much worse across the city I went to work, but all day swayed between a range of emotions feeling that we were all being held to ransom by a few people. My heart went out to the people of colour caught up and blamed in something that has nothing to do with them. The violence that had happened and the thought of more to come really upset me.

Rather than spend another night watching the horror unfold on social media I looked for the helpers and drove into town to help in whatever way I could.

I ended up in a place of sanctuary, where 100’s of people from small babies to old people arrived, car after carload, all brought by wonderful and brave people, mostly women.

My role on the night was just helping feed people, clear dishes, pack care parcels etc. and give lots of comfort, and say sorry, I’m so sorry over and over. What else could you say? The night flew by and the teamwork was amazing as people just saw what needed done and got on with it.

A few leaders within the group kept incredibly calm and stayed focused and by the end of the night 100’s of people had found a safe place to sleep. The stories I heard were heartbreaking and again I said sorry, sorry, sorry. People went home with strangers to an uncertain future, and I went back to my life, out to the gym and work etc. which felt strange knowing how many people were suffering so I kept helping.

Over the next few days, the mobilisation and organisation within a WhatsApp group, food preparation etc was seriously impressive. The quick responses to requests were phenomenal. I gave people lifts to get groceries, brought children out to play etc. Seeing women and children who didn’t know me just get into my car and thank me repeatedly was humbling. The children had been inside all week too afraid to leave their homes and yet they were apologising to me for my trouble.

I can’t thank everyone who came to Saturday’s rally enough, it was seen and appreciated by many traumatised people this week. This situation we are in is tough, but every act helps and the helpers are all amazing and inspiring people, much better to be with than watching the news.