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Hundreds of people are attending a rally in Belfast calling for a second referendum on EU membership.<\/p>\nHundreds of people are attending a rally in Belfast calling for a second referendum on EU membership.<\/p>\n
Campaigners from the People\u2019s Vote rally say the public deserves to make the decision over whether the British Government\u2019s Brexit deal is the right choice.<\/p>\n
Speakers at the rally in Belfast include Dominic Grieve QC MP, the SDLP\u2019s Claire Hanna, Green Party NI leader Clare Bailey and MEP Naomi Long.<\/p>\n
The event is being compered by Alastair Campbell.<\/p>\n
Leader of the Alliance Party Ms Long told the huge crowd that gathered in Belfast\u2019s Ulster Hall that the Good Friday Agreement is under threat from Brexit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know in Northern Ireland that while Brexit is challenging for everyone, for the EU, it is an existential challenge here in Northern Ireland and a no-deal would be catastrophic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to avoid that at all costs. Brexit was never a good idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time when the main challenges that face us are global challenges, whether it\u2019s climate, security, peace, tax transparency, our lives are more connected than ever before.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes no sense to withdraw from a large international influential block.\u201d<\/p>\n
This Prime Minister can’t even deliver a donkey of a deal<\/p>\n
Ms Long added: \u201cPeople were promised a unicorn Brexit that doesn\u2019t exist, a fantasy Brexit that we could trade with everyone without tariffs while protecting all our jobs and skills and making so much money.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time we were told we would continue to trade normally with the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat Brexit does not exist. This Prime Minister can\u2019t even deliver a donkey of a deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get the facts out there that we will be worse off as a nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Bailey said that Northern Ireland stands to lose the most in Brexit.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cI view the referendum as a bad call and an in-house fight. It was never intended to be in the interest of the people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see it as the will of the people. We have 52% of people who voted to leave based on a campaign found to have broken electoral law and told lies and misinformed people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see that as democratic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Hanna said: \u201cThe message we have to send from here is we want our stability and future back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about protecting the welfare of everyone here, including those who voted to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to say to those who voted to leave that we understand your concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can end austerity or we can end Brexit but we certainly cannot do both.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most plausible way out of this quagmire is a second vote.\u201d<\/p>\n