SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has called for calm after a number of incidents in Derry over the weekend.
Police are treating the incidents, including attacks on young people, as sectarian hate crimes.
Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: “I was absolutely sickened by what I’ve seen circulating on social media – two young men being set upon by a gang in a savage attack. I
“It’s being reported that this was a sectarian attack and has the potential to light the fuse on a situation that has been simmering in the Waterside for some time.
“It is important that peace prevails and no retaliation is sought, inevitably innocent people will get hurt or even worse – as I watched the video I could not help but think of my old schoolmate Paul McCauley, who died as the result of a sectarian attack in the Waterside nearly 20 years ago.
“We also saw an attack on a bus returning from a cross-community and cross-cultural football tournament in Omagh, with passengers injured by broken glass.
“This must have an incredibly frightening incident and this senseless violence must cease before anyone else is hurt.
“I’d like to pay tribute to the efforts of local community workers to stop this situation from getting worse.
“They do really valuable and often thankless work to support local young people, keep them out of trouble and create opportunities for them.
“I hope the two boys who were attacked make a swift recovery from their physical injuries and the undoubted psychological impact that such trauma can bring.
“Anyone with information about the attack should bring it to the police and those responsible must be apprehended.”
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