Mr Shannon said, "On Friday I received a call to my office from a Newtownards resident who informed me that due to the current difficulties in Belfast that their wife and children were very unsettled and fearful. They indicated that this was replicated within many households in Ards and Comber and asked whether I would call to offer words of support and reassurance. The meeting was arranged for Monday and little did I know that over the weekend there would be further developments which would make them feel even more unsafe. I met with people throughout Monday and within those meetings represented were Christians, Hindu’s and Muslims. All of these families with children, all of them in gainful employment throughout NHS care homes and hospitality, all of them within our community for years - and many of them now frightened to leave their homes.
The message I relayed was an easy one – you are part of the fabric of our community and this is your home. As I spoke to women who were frightened to let their children out to play due to the scenes they have witnessed on TV, and the atrocious attack on the Prayer Centre in Newtownards – I understood their fear but was at pains to remind them that their community in Ards and surrounding area were so annoyed at what has been taken place as this is not how they feel.
On Sunday when I left my own church to meet with Alderman Naomi Armstrong Cotter and Cllr Colin Kennedy after their church services had finished to go to the Prayer Centre, the message from all of our churches came with us – what has happened is not an offense against the Muslims in our community – it is an offense and attack on us all. Indeed the ladies in my church asked me specifically to tell those members of the Greenwell Street Prayer Centre that they were praying for them. This is the Newtownards that I know – these are the people who understand that government immigration policy has nothing to do with those who have been a part of our community for years – those who live and work and raise their families here. Those who are an essential part of the NHS and the caring community, who have jobs in all walks of our lives – these people are our community and for them to feel frightened to leave their homes cannot be tolerated.
I was able with a whole heart to reassure these people – who were taking the message to others that they knew – the actions of these people whilst upsetting and awful are not representative of our town. When I spoke with one man he was very clear – he said he had been asked if he considered ‘going home’ because of the unrest and his response was clear – This is my home!!! I reiterate this sentiment – this is your home, It is not a case of being welcome here it is the fact that you are needed here within the community of which you are an intricate part and the decent people of this area stand with you at this time."
Alderman Naomi Armstrong Cotter added “It was difficult to meet with those and hear the stories of how mums of children the age of my 2 girls felt that they couldn’t allow their children out to play in their summer holidays. I could not imagine telling my children that they couldn’t play in the local playground as it wasn’t safe and these mums shouldn’t have to have these conversations either. I understand their fear and the natural desire to keep the children close to protect them and I spoke from the heart to offer my help and support and assurances that the people of this town are with them.”