Michael McDowell: Loyalists who burn people out of their homes are fire-bombing their own political futures (opens original article in a new tab)

Loyalists in Northern Ireland have escalated violence against immigrants, a pattern with historical roots, as changing demographics challenge traditional power structures and political reconciliation efforts.

• Loyalists in Northern Ireland have engaged in communal violence, including burning homes of immigrants, a pattern dating over 100 years.
• Recent violence targets people of color, contrasting with past violence against Catholics, and reflects changing demographics where Catholics now outnumber Protestants in parts of Northern Ireland.
• The article questions if government policies have allowed former paramilitaries to maintain influence and control over drug trafficking and racketeering in loyalist areas.