Parents gathered outside a North Belfast secondary school on Thursday afternoon for a peaceful protest against bullying after an alleged hate crime assault earlier this week.
The incident in the playground at Belfast Model School for Girls on Tuesday, November 12, was allegedly witnessed by members of staff, with a local MLA saying the incident has caused "huge concern" among the school community.
Police launched an investigation following a number of reports of an assault at the school on Dunowen Gardens just off the Oldpark Road. On Wednesday evening, the PSNI confirmed they are now investigating the incident as a "hate crime."
Read more: PSNI treating reports of alleged assault at school as 'hate crime'
Read more: Belfast school assault being investigated by police
Belfast Model School for Girls Principal Paula Stuart assured parents the allegation is being fully investigated and called for speculation online to cease as it is potentially fuelling tensions with the local community in North Belfast.
In a letter posted to parents and guardians on social media on Wednesday evening, Principal Stuart wrote: "You may be aware of ongoing social media commentary in relation to an incident that occurred in our school playground on Tuesday 12th November 2024.
"We are aware of various claims circulating on social media which has unfortunately led to increased tensions in our community, negatively impacting on student wellbeing and their sense of safety. I want to assure you that we take the safety and well-being of all our pupils very seriously.
"We are working closely with the Education Authority and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to address this matter appropriately. It is important to note that, contrary to some reports, there is no evidence to support the inaccurate claims or fears being expressed on social media around pupil safety and we would ask for your support in helping to stop the spread of such information."
On Thursday afternoon, November 14, parents with children at the school and concerned neighbours gathered outside the gates to speak out against bullying, with placards reading "keep our children safe at school."
Speaking to Belfast Live, Joy Coates, who is a social worker with a relative at Belfast Model School for Girls, said she is concerned for the pupils following reports of alleged numerous "attacks" at the school.
She said: "I'm here because I'm concerned not just for my [grandchild's] safety, but the safety of all the children in the school. My [grandchild] has witnessed numerous attacks, not fights, attacks on other children... is really traumatised by what's happening."
Local resident Glenn Gordon was also in attendance at the peaceful protest on Thursday afternoon. He said: "I am increasingly concerned around certain rhetoric which has been spread online.
"I'm here to support all the parents here, as children's safety should be absolutely paramount in any sort of institution, in any setting, their setting should be guaranteed.
"I wanted to come down here personally as I lost a family member last year to suicide, there have been many suicides in this community, and I don't want this to be about division. What we're seeing here today is concerned parents worried about their children - bullying needs to stop, as in stop full stop."
Police said they have received a number of reports of assault which allegedly occurred at a school in North Belfast on Tuesday 12th November.
Chief Inspector Alan Lowry said: “Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime. Officers are liaising with key stakeholders in relation to this matter.
“We would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to this matter, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1160 12/11/24. Alternatively, you can submit a report online or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
Have a look through our photo gallery below from Thursday afternoon's peaceful protest.
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