UPDATE: A Sudanese family’s home in Derry was vandalized with graffiti reading “locals only” and including crosshairs, provoking immediate outrage. The North West Migrants Forum (NWMF) condemned the overnight attack, highlighting the distressing implications for the family, who recently relocated to the Fountain Estate.
The NWMF expressed their shock at this “abhorrent” act, stating that the family—a mother, father, and their two children—have been active volunteers within the community. “This is a family well known to us and that has become firmly embedded in our organisation through their volunteering efforts,” a spokesperson emphasized.
Having fled the ongoing civil war in Sudan, where over 150,000 people have died and 12 million have been displaced since April 2023, the family sought refuge in Northern Ireland. They thought they had found safety in Derry, but now face further distress. “That they are now having to shoulder more worry and more stress in a place they thought they could depend on for sanctuary is just abhorrent,” the spokesperson added.
This incident has highlighted the urgent need for community solidarity. The NWMF is calling on local politicians and residents to unite against such acts of hate. “We will stand with the family in the days and weeks ahead and we encourage others to do the same,” the spokesperson urged.
The PSNI has been notified and is investigating the incident. This act of vandalism comes amid escalating tensions in Sudan, where the civil war continues to devastate lives. The situation remains critical, with allegations of genocide and war crimes reported in the western Darfur region.
This attack on the Sudanese family in Derry is not just an isolated incident; it reflects wider issues of intolerance and racism that need to be addressed urgently. As communities rally together, the call for respect and acceptance grows louder. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
