Aussies kicking up ruckus - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

feelgood · 12-11-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Beach erupts into violence
From: AAP

December 11, 2005

Cronulla Beach
Confrontation ... Police subdue a troublemaker /AAP

ANGRY crowds have singled out and bashed people of Middle Eastern appearance at Sydney's Cronulla beach as racial tension erupted into violence.
And an ambulance called to the scene to treat five people injured in today's violence has been attacked by a mob who shattered its windows.

Meanwhile, police have been pelted with beer bottles, and their patrol cars stomped on, as the outnumbered officers struggled to maintain control.

Witnesses saw officers using capsicum spray in a bid to quell those perpetrating the violence.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Goodwin said police were forcing their way through the crowd, trying to prevent further attacks.

He said a number of people had been assaulted but could not say exactly how many. However, an ambulance spokesman said at least five people had been injured.

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It was those people the ambulance was trying to reach when it was attacked.

"An ambulance attempting to transport five injured people from the scene was set upon by a large group of people who smashed its windows," an ambulance spokesman said.

Mr Goodwin said today's violence was disgusting.

"What has been occurring on some fronts is that people of Middle Eastern backgrounds that have been seen in the Cronulla area – a swarm of the crowd has approached these people with vile abuse, in the most un-Australian way," Mr Goodwin said.

"We have a number of reports of persons that have been assaulted."

He said the bulk of the crowd had behaved but pockets of violence had broken out.

"... we have sections of the crowd that have swollen towards young Arabic males and females, who have been using this beach."

Three people have been arrested so far, with more arrests expected.

Earlier today, police rushed to Cronulla train station where a mob ran there from the foreshore after receiving a text message saying a group of Lebanese people were trying to leave. Mr Goodwin said the text message was wrong, but sparked a scuffle at the station between the crowd and police.

"The behaviour that's been seen down here at Cronulla today is nothing short of disgusting and disgraceful," he told reporters at the beach.

"It's certainly not the Australian way.

He appealed for calm in the beachside suburb in Sydney's south.

"These people are from an area that is a peaceful suburb ... and what they are doing to their area at the moment, fuelled by people from other areas as well, is nothing short of disgraceful."

Earlier, a police spokeswoman said two men, aged 32 and 20, had been charged with offensive behaviour.

A third man had been arrested and was expected to be charged with assault, she said.

It was not clear if any of the arrests related to earlier witness reports of at least three men being pursued and attacked as they tried to get away from angry members of the crowd chasing them on foot.

At least two of the men took refuge at Northies Pub, where police gathered to protect them.

Roads were closed down as the violence flared today, with mounted police trying to maintain control lines as a police chopper hovered over the beach.

Some bars and shops along the beach have temporarily closed. Others have bouncers stationed at the door, blocking anyone from going inside.

Authorities had expected trouble today after two violent incidents at the beach last week – an attack on two lifeguards on Sunday and a brawl later in the week in which youths turned on a media crew. A series of text messages then began circulating, encouraging members of two rival groups of beach users to attack each other.

One of the messages had urged "Aussies" to take revenge against "Lebs and wogs". Another urged locals to rally at a point on the beach today to take retaliation against "middle eastern" gangs.

As the 5,000-strong crowd moved along the beach and foreshore area today, one man on the back of a ute began to shout "No more Lebs" – a chant picked up by the group around him.

Others in the crowd, carrying Australian flags and dressed in Australian shirts, yelled "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ... Oi, Oi, Oi".

Authorities spent last week calling for calm, and Mr Iemma today said he would amend the law so that thugs who assaulted lifeguards could face the maximum 25 years in jail.

The amendment would allow courts to consider it an aggravating factor if an assault victim was a volunteer.

"Those who selflessly give up their time to save people in distress on the beach should not be considered easy targets by thugs and hooligans," Mr Iemma.

"We are going to back them with extra protection that will ensure that judges take into account their status in the community when sentencing."

5000 rioting and only 5 injured? If that's their version of riot, then gosh, aren't we all in trouble?

Latch · 12-11-2005, 05:09 PM

From the little bit I've read, it sounds like the term riot is a bit sensationalist. The people massed, but not everyone was going nuts/being rowdy. Just a few (well, more then a few) idiots.

As this was sort of being 'planned' for the last week, a 'leb' in Australia, dlishguy, has posted his views on it here (before it happened): cornulla fight club in Tilted Australia

Anyone with half a brain knew not to go to the beach today.

fresnelly · 12-11-2005, 07:56 PM

I haven't heard lot of this story's background, and I'd like to ask a few questions to understand it better.

Why were the life guards assaulted in the first place? What was the extent of the attack?

Is there a specific history of resentment towards the Lebonese, or has a general racism just become focused by events of the past week?

Does anger over the Bali bombings have anything to do with this?

What is the ethnic/racial mix in the area? Is there a large Lebonese community or district?

Is this a resort area or a working city that happens to have a beach.

Are there many tourists in the area?

Are the "life savers" the guys who sit in chairs on the beach and patrol for drowning swimmers a la Baywatch, or something different?

What or who is a "wog"?

dlish · 12-11-2005, 08:46 PM

lol.. latch..thanks for calling me a 'leb'.... i may have leb parents but im as much an aussie as the next person..but also proud of my heritage of course

to answer fresnellys questions..

Why were the life guards assaulted in the first place? What was the extent of the attack?

apparently (from heresay in the lebanese communit here in sydney) last week some 'lebs' (ie youths of lebanese/middle eastern decent) were swimming outside the flags and some lifeguard kept telling them to get out and swim between the flags for their own safety. sounds like they took offense to it and decided to rough the poor bloke up.

Is there a specific history of resentment towards the Lebonese, or has a general racism just become focused by events of the past week?

there has been a general resentment of the lebanese community in recent years, especially since the pack rape of a few anglo saxon girls by a particular lebanese gang. though not widespread, resentment has been teethering slowly. any time any issues with lebanese youths (minor or major) usually make the headlines and front pages. but over the past week, simmering tensions have escalated with SMS going round telling 'aussies' to help support "leb/wog bashing day", hence the big turn up.

Does anger over the Bali bombings have anything to do with this?

no not really. lebanese are both muslim and chrsitians. although devout lebanese muslims are more suseptible to attack/slurs from 'aussies'.

What is the ethnic/racial mix in the area? Is there a large Lebonese community or district?

cronulla is mainly an anglo saxon beachside suburb. but cronulla is the closest beach to the largest lebanese community in sydney, which is about half an hours drive. people living in cronulla feel as though the 'lebs' are taking over the area, especially on weekends. however this isnt exclusively to cronulla, and other beaches have had similar problems. i should note that cronulla is the only beach that is serviced by a train line in sydney, so its quite easy to get to for youths and for those without cars.

Is this a resort area or a working city that happens to have a beach.

just a working suburb that happens to have a beach.

Are there many tourists in the area?

yes, but not as popular as other beaches like bondi beach is sydneys east.

Are the "life savers" the guys who sit in chairs on the beach and patrol for drowning swimmers a la Baywatch, or something different?

yeah thats a life saver..also its also one of those lollies with a hole through it

What or who is a "wog"?

a 'wog' is a person of non anglo saxon/eastern european background who migrated to australia (usually within the last 50 years). basically a person from mid east, italians, greeks etc. place of birth whether in australia or otherwise does not matter.

ok..now for my 2 cents worth..

news reports said 5000 people.. from eye witness accounts of people who stupidly went down to cronulla put it down to 2000-3000. mass protests with 'aussies' draped in australian flags whilst under the influence of alcohol turned nasty after a few scuffles with innocent 'middle easterners' who happened to be in the area.

after word got round that the 'lebs' were taking a hiding the 'lebs' showed up later in the faternoon and evening and vented their anger on of course innocent bystanders and cars.

all in all a crazy day, where im ashamed to call myself aussie as well as leb.

Latch · 12-11-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlishsguy

lol.. latch..thanks for calling me a 'leb'.... i may have leb parents but im as much an aussie as the next person..but also proud of my heritage of course

Just quickly, I used it 'cause I saw you use it in your OP about this

hulk · 12-12-2005, 01:04 AM

What they need to do is get everyone they can that was inciting the violence, Australian, Lebanese or whatever, and throw the book at them for inciting racial hatred. Lock the mongrels up for five years. While it wasn't really a riot, those involved would have liked it to be, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them try again.

dlish · 12-12-2005, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latch

Just quickly, I used it 'cause I saw you use it in your OP about this

Latch - i figured that.. no offence taken.

hulk - incitors? lets try shock jocks on talk back radio. had it not been for some sections of the media, i very much doubt that thousands of people would have started a 'riot' because of a blue between a few youths. this has turned from a fight into race hate. and judging by feedback ive recieved today from angry lebanese youths, it doesnt look too good.

another point of concern i have is the innocent people that are being dragged into this. today i went to my parents place for dinner, and my sister told me that she was verbally abused with her friends by some guy with a baby. some of my sisters friends wear the muslim head covering. my sister does not. my sister doesnt even look lebanese. but it seems like anyone who associated themselves with arabs or muslims is fair game now. just today ive heard story after story of verbal and physical abuse hurled at mainly muslim women who have nothing to do with the bashing of a lifeguard at a beach half an hour away.

today is honestly the first day i hang my head in shame at being called at aussie, if being an 'aussie' is attacking innocent people. and in the words of one famous shock jock.. shame shame shame....

hulk · 12-12-2005, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlishsguy

hulk - incitors? lets try shock jocks on talk back radio. had it not been for some sections of the media, i very much doubt that thousands of people would have started a 'riot' because of a blue between a few youths. this has turned from a fight into race hate. and judging by feedback ive recieved today from angry lebanese youths, it doesnt look too good.

I mean these incitors.

Quote:

YOUNG neo-Nazis yesterday infiltrated the riots at North Cronulla, promoting their white supremacist cause.

One young woman was seen proudly holding up a poster that read: "Aussies fighting back!"
It advertised a group called the Patriotic Youth League.

Founded by former Newcastle student and One Nation activist Stuart McBeth in 2002, the league describes itself as a "radical nationalist" group. It is widely considered to be a neo-Nazi organisation.

It has links to the German-based skinhead group Volksfront as well as the like-minded British Nationalist Party and the New Zealand National Front.

The league has campaigned for the deportation of immigrants and keeping foreign students out of universities.

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League spokesman Luke Connors said he had been forbidden to comment on the Cronulla riots or the events leading up to them.
"I've been given instructions not to say anything," Mr Connors said.

While they didn't start the thing, I'd say it's a fair assumption that they encouraged it.

fresnelly · 12-12-2005, 06:19 AM

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions dlishsguy! I really appreciate it. Between the local lingo and sensationalist media filtering, I wasn't getting a very clear picture.

How are the shock jocks reflecting in the aftermath?

spindles · 12-12-2005, 03:02 PM

I know people who have friends who live in Cronulla. It seems the tension between the whites and the lebs has been around for years - this appears to be the first time it has turned into something larger than a minor incident on the beach, though.

I'm with dlish in being disgusted by this. It is a very sad day when this kind of thing happens in my city (albiet as far from where I live and still being in the same city as is possible).

Nimetic · 12-12-2005, 04:18 PM

While it's sorta amazing that this occurred (in a terribly bad way) - it fits with the trend.

In my view - politicians here (ie Howard) have been subtly skirting with nationalism and race. I guess these issues have reach - due to the relatively large immigrant population and much smaller problem groups.

At the same time, the media has been happy to profit from discussing "war", "terror", and alleged problems with minority groups. Some of which was pure beat-up it seems.

And of course... Howard had the flag raised on public buildings a few years back.

It all just makes me feel sick. Australians? We're "all aboard" on Mark Lathams "congo line of suckers" at the moment.

Nimetic · 12-12-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

5000 rioting and only 5 injured? If that's their version of riot, then gosh, aren't we all in trouble

True I suppose. It's not Paris yet.

I'm in Melbourne. Both the the fury of the mob and the previous incidents by ethnic youths shock me. We're not used to this.

MSD · 12-12-2005, 06:09 PM

Racially motivated attacks in retaliation for the actions of a few gang-affiliated individuals really shed an interesting light on just how shallow people can be. It looks like this won't erupt into a full-scale riot, which I see as unfortunate because I feel that a lot of cultures need a large-scale movement to hit them with the reality of just how badly we're allowing ourselves to treat each other. Now that I think about it, the whole world needs a big whack in the side of the head to set us striaght. Too bad this will be sugarcoated and brushed under the carpet by next week as long as nothing else happens.

I must admit, though, that I sometimes wish I could sit back with some popcorn and watch a good, old-fashioned riot without all the socioeconomic and political strings attached. Maybe even pull up a lawn chair with a beach umbrella and a cooler full of beer on a not-too-distant rooftop with some sports binoculars (and a couple of cans of tear gas just in case they get too close.)

feelgood · 12-12-2005, 11:10 PM

To throw in another 2 cent, I think it might be related to the growing fustration of cultural group against Muslim.

Why? Muslim related group or religion, whatever it is, have shown very little effort to stop terrorism and now, various groups around the world such as white, black, french, russian, etc are getting more ticked off about the fact that those radicals are continously attacking our culture and country for no apparent reason. Sure, that sounds dumb but to quote, when you have a large group of people together, rational thinking seem to go away faster than alcohol or drugs can do altogether. And what happened in Cronulla just happens to be a perfect atomosphere for those fustration to be released, fortunately, it wasn't that bad compared to other riot. This won't be the last time riots like this occur, nor will it be the only country to occur.

spindles · 12-25-2005, 05:55 PM

I heard today that the RTA (roads and traffic authority) a building a new motor way from Lakemba to Cronulla. It is going to be called the "Middle Eastern Distributor".

12-11-2005, 07:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	I haven't heard lot of this story's background, and I'd like to ask a few questions to understand it better. Why were the life guards assaulted in the first place? What was the extent of the attack? Is there a specific history of resentment towards the Lebonese, or has a general racism just become focused by events of the past week? Does anger over the Bali bombings have anything to do with this? What is the ethnic/racial mix in the area? Is there a large Lebonese community or district? Is this a resort area or a working city that happens to have a beach. Are there many tourists in the area? Are the "life savers" the guys who sit in chairs on the beach and patrol for drowning swimmers a la Baywatch, or something different? What or who is a "wog"? __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life Last edited by fresnelly; 12-11-2005 at 08:04 PM..

12-11-2005, 08:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	lol.. latch..thanks for calling me a 'leb'.... i may have leb parents but im as much an aussie as the next person..but also proud of my heritage of course to answer fresnellys questions.. Why were the life guards assaulted in the first place? What was the extent of the attack? apparently (from heresay in the lebanese communit here in sydney) last week some 'lebs' (ie youths of lebanese/middle eastern decent) were swimming outside the flags and some lifeguard kept telling them to get out and swim between the flags for their own safety. sounds like they took offense to it and decided to rough the poor bloke up. Is there a specific history of resentment towards the Lebonese, or has a general racism just become focused by events of the past week? there has been a general resentment of the lebanese community in recent years, especially since the pack rape of a few anglo saxon girls by a particular lebanese gang. though not widespread, resentment has been teethering slowly. any time any issues with lebanese youths (minor or major) usually make the headlines and front pages. but over the past week, simmering tensions have escalated with SMS going round telling 'aussies' to help support "leb/wog bashing day", hence the big turn up. Does anger over the Bali bombings have anything to do with this? no not really. lebanese are both muslim and chrsitians. although devout lebanese muslims are more suseptible to attack/slurs from 'aussies'. What is the ethnic/racial mix in the area? Is there a large Lebonese community or district? cronulla is mainly an anglo saxon beachside suburb. but cronulla is the closest beach to the largest lebanese community in sydney, which is about half an hours drive. people living in cronulla feel as though the 'lebs' are taking over the area, especially on weekends. however this isnt exclusively to cronulla, and other beaches have had similar problems. i should note that cronulla is the only beach that is serviced by a train line in sydney, so its quite easy to get to for youths and for those without cars. Is this a resort area or a working city that happens to have a beach. just a working suburb that happens to have a beach. Are there many tourists in the area? yes, but not as popular as other beaches like bondi beach is sydneys east. Are the "life savers" the guys who sit in chairs on the beach and patrol for drowning swimmers a la Baywatch, or something different? yeah thats a life saver..also its also one of those lollies with a hole through it What or who is a "wog"? a 'wog' is a person of non anglo saxon/eastern european background who migrated to australia (usually within the last 50 years). basically a person from mid east, italians, greeks etc. place of birth whether in australia or otherwise does not matter. ok..now for my 2 cents worth.. news reports said 5000 people.. from eye witness accounts of people who stupidly went down to cronulla put it down to 2000-3000. mass protests with 'aussies' draped in australian flags whilst under the influence of alcohol turned nasty after a few scuffles with innocent 'middle easterners' who happened to be in the area. after word got round that the 'lebs' were taking a hiding the 'lebs' showed up later in the faternoon and evening and vented their anger on of course innocent bystanders and cars. all in all a crazy day, where im ashamed to call myself aussie as well as leb. __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

12-12-2005, 01:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
hulk C'mon, just blow it. Location: Perth, Australia	What they need to do is get everyone they can that was inciting the violence, Australian, Lebanese or whatever, and throw the book at them for inciting racial hatred. Lock the mongrels up for five years. While it wasn't really a riot, those involved would have liked it to be, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them try again. __________________ "'There's a tendency among the press to attribute the creation of a game to a single person,' says Warren Spector, creator of Thief and Deus Ex." -- From an IGN game review.

12-12-2005, 06:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions dlishsguy! I really appreciate it. Between the local lingo and sensationalist media filtering, I wasn't getting a very clear picture. How are the shock jocks reflecting in the aftermath? __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

12-12-2005, 03:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	I know people who have friends who live in Cronulla. It seems the tension between the whites and the lebs has been around for years - this appears to be the first time it has turned into something larger than a minor incident on the beach, though. I'm with dlish in being disgusted by this. It is a very sad day when this kind of thing happens in my city (albiet as far from where I live and still being in the same city as is possible). __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

12-11-2005, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Latch In Your Dreams Location: City of Lights	From the little bit I've read, it sounds like the term riot is a bit sensationalist. The people massed, but not everyone was going nuts/being rowdy. Just a few (well, more then a few) idiots. As this was sort of being 'planned' for the last week, a 'leb' in Australia, dlishguy, has posted his views on it here (before it happened): cornulla fight club in Tilted Australia Anyone with half a brain knew not to go to the beach today.

12-12-2005, 04:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Nimetic Junkie Location: Melbourne, Australia	While it's sorta amazing that this occurred (in a terribly bad way) - it fits with the trend. In my view - politicians here (ie Howard) have been subtly skirting with nationalism and race. I guess these issues have reach - due to the relatively large immigrant population and much smaller problem groups. At the same time, the media has been happy to profit from discussing "war", "terror", and alleged problems with minority groups. Some of which was pure beat-up it seems. And of course... Howard had the flag raised on public buildings a few years back. It all just makes me feel sick. Australians? We're "all aboard" on Mark Lathams "congo line of suckers" at the moment.

12-12-2005, 06:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Racially motivated attacks in retaliation for the actions of a few gang-affiliated individuals really shed an interesting light on just how shallow people can be. It looks like this won't erupt into a full-scale riot, which I see as unfortunate because I feel that a lot of cultures need a large-scale movement to hit them with the reality of just how badly we're allowing ourselves to treat each other. Now that I think about it, the whole world needs a big whack in the side of the head to set us striaght. Too bad this will be sugarcoated and brushed under the carpet by next week as long as nothing else happens. I must admit, though, that I sometimes wish I could sit back with some popcorn and watch a good, old-fashioned riot without all the socioeconomic and political strings attached. Maybe even pull up a lawn chair with a beach umbrella and a cooler full of beer on a not-too-distant rooftop with some sports binoculars (and a couple of cans of tear gas just in case they get too close.)

12-12-2005, 11:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	To throw in another 2 cent, I think it might be related to the growing fustration of cultural group against Muslim. Why? Muslim related group or religion, whatever it is, have shown very little effort to stop terrorism and now, various groups around the world such as white, black, french, russian, etc are getting more ticked off about the fact that those radicals are continously attacking our culture and country for no apparent reason. Sure, that sounds dumb but to quote, when you have a large group of people together, rational thinking seem to go away faster than alcohol or drugs can do altogether. And what happened in Cronulla just happens to be a perfect atomosphere for those fustration to be released, fortunately, it wasn't that bad compared to other riot. This won't be the last time riots like this occur, nor will it be the only country to occur. __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

12-25-2005, 05:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	I heard today that the RTA (roads and traffic authority) a building a new motor way from Lakemba to Cronulla. It is going to be called the "Middle Eastern Distributor". __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?