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Friday, December 13, 2024
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UK Man arrested over threats to kill Kenyan Woman Lilian Seenoi

UK Man arrested over threats to kill Kenyan Woman Lilian Seenoi
UK Man arrested over threats to kill Kenyan Woman Lilian Seenoi. PHOTO/COURTESY

Police investigating online threats against soon to be Northern Irelandโ€™s first black Mayor, Lilian Seenoi-Barr have arrested a 30-year-old man. The man attended Strand Road police station in Derry on Sunday and was detained on suspicion of harassment, threats to kill and improper use of a public electronic communications network.

Ms Seenoi-Barr is set to become Northern Irelandโ€™s first black mayor. Police are treating the alleged offences as a racially motivated hate crime. The man was remained in custody on Sunday evening.

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Aย PSNIย statement assured the public that police take reports of online threats and harassment extremely seriously.

Earlier on Sunday, Ms Seenoi-Barr said the racist abuse and death threats directed at her since her selection was announced had made her more determined to succeed in the role.

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Her party leader Colum Eastwood has condemned the racist abuse and what he described as โ€œvery serious death threatsโ€.

The councillor said on Sunday morning that she wanted to focus on the many people who had reacted positively to her selection.

โ€œMy family is the one that is feeling it more than myself, Iโ€™m used to it,โ€ Ms Seenoi-Barr said of the abuse and threats.

โ€œSince I put myself forward to represent my community, since I came to this country, Iโ€™ve been experiencing racism but obviously itโ€™s (the recent abuse) beyond what I have been experiencing.

โ€œThe death threats have been extremely hurtful to my family and to myself too, but Iโ€™m more focused on the positives. I have had enormous support across the island โ€“ community organisations, politicians who have reached out and stood in solidarity. That is the Derry I know, the Ireland I know, and thatโ€™s what I want to focus on.โ€

She told BBC NIโ€™s Sunday Politics programme that she had not had second thoughts about taking up the post.

โ€œAbsolutely, no,โ€ she said.

โ€œI think it has actually made me more determined because we need to be represented, we need a more inclusive and progressive society and the majority of people, particularly in my city, stand with me.

โ€œI have never enjoyed so much support than I have enjoyed the last few weeks from everyone across the city. When Iโ€™m walking on the street, people are hugging me and congratulating me. Itโ€™s something that they want and they want to celebrate it and Iโ€™m really looking forward to showcasing the best of our city.

โ€œMany of the abuseโ€ฆ are not from Derry, although some are. Weโ€™re not a perfect country and there is so much that is going on.

โ€œMy focus is really to show that we are a united community, we can be a united community and everyone within our city and district can be represented by anyone, regardless of the colour of their skin. And we have the opportunity to do that together.โ€

The process used by the SDLP to select her as mayor has also caused discontent within SDLP ranks in Londonderry, with two councillors resigning amid claims it was undemocratic.

Mr Eastwood has conceded the party had lessons to learn over how it communicated a new policy, introduced last year, on selecting mayoral candidates.

But he has insisted that Ms Seenoi-Barr was the โ€œstand-outโ€ candidate to become mayor.

On Sunday, Ms Seenoi-Barr said: โ€œItโ€™s obviously disappointing that two of my colleagues who I have worked with the last three years since I got to council decided to resign.

โ€œBut Iโ€™m honestly focused on the way forward, Iโ€™m focused on serving my community.โ€

By David Young

Read theย original articleย on belfastlive.co.uk.

 

UK Man arrested over threats to kill Kenyan Woman Lilian Seenoi

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