Gaining a Foothold? Social media and the anti-immigration movement in Newry 2024-26
Published:
September 22, 2026
Policy Area(s):Confronting Prejudice
Keywords:Racism and Migrant Rights
This report, published by the Equality Coalition – co-convened by Unison and CAJ – in partnership with Rabble Cooperative, examines the anti-immigration activity and social media dynamics in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area between 2024 and 2026. It explores how the Locals First Initiative (LFI) sought to establish an organisational foothold in predominantly Irish nationalist communities following the council’s decision to join the City of Sanctuary Network, how social media networks amplified anti-immigrant narratives, and how local political responses and online organising shaped tensions.
Key findings show that:
- The decision to join the City of Sanctuary Network triggered the formation of LFI, which used social media to blame immigrants for public service pressures and mobilise opposition.
- Online networks, including non-political local groups and cross-border accounts from the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, played a central role in driving sentiment and anti-immigrant activity.
- LFI operated primarily as a single-issue group, focusing its sharpest attacks on non-unionist political parties while receiving backing from some unionist figures who opposed the sanctuary designation.
- Anti-immigrant hostility led to real-world harm, including the intimidation of healthcare staff, threats against local councillors, and violent incidents such as a pipe bomb targeting a political office.
- The report calls for urgent reforms, including the operationalisation of statutory “good relations” and human rights duties by public authorities, robust enforcement against online incitement and hate speech, factual rebuttals to combat misinformation, and clear, unqualified leadership from elected representatives.
You can view the full report here.
