Sydney Race Riots...

[Hitman]

Very well put Channy.

I think Craig is the one who wants to walk around with blinders on...

Who said I was shocked or surprised?

I got a vibe from Chantel's post, and posts made by yourself that you were suprised.

Vibe?

I was merely pointing out my disgust at the abhorent behaviour.
Dude, you'd have to be an idiot to think I haven't myself been subjected to racist taunts and behaviour over my many years. In my experience it has always been a prevalent part of the Australian culture.
Like Channy said though, witnessing a crowd of 5000 people behaving like they did on the weekend is a first for me, and should not be ignored or swept under the carpet....

[DC]

By you saying that it will ALWAYS exist is a defeatist attitude and one that almost gives license for others to continue their racsist views/beliefs/actions.

It will always exist unless it is realised that it is happening. Fortunately most are now admitting there is a problem with racism and that it is the cause. John Howard being the exception as he is still in denial.

I grew up in the Bankstown area and have seen these tensions boiling my whole life. When I was at school it got so bad that one day the school was locked down with police everywhere and helicopters hovering around looking for trouble makers. We used to have multi-cultural festivals which were eventually canned due to the trouble that was caused. This unfortunately is the next step. It could have been identified a long time ago and addressed.

I embrace multi-culturalism and love the diversity of this country. Unfortunately those that don't feel the same way as I do seem to be total dickheads.

[Hitman]

I embrace multi-culturalism and love the diversity of this country. Unfortunately those that don't feel the same way as I do seem to be total dickheads.

Werd...

[craigwardo]

Fortunately most are now admitting there is a problem with racism and that it is the cause

So how do we magically fix this? How can one turn around to some one else and say "the way you think is wrong, change it".

We in Australia seem to encourage free thought/speech in a variety of ways, how can we now turn around and ridicule others for their (all be it racist) beliefs.

P.S No I am dismissing the appauling nature of the'r actions.

[Chantel]

Emergency police powers declared to stem tide of hate
Tuesday Dec 13 14:00 AEDT
By ninemsn staff with wires

Police will be handed powers to shut down pubs and lock down trouble spots under new laws designed to stamp out Sydney's racial violence.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma will recall state parliament on Thursday to pass the new emergency police powers aimed at curbing the violence that has rocked Sydney's southern suburbs.

The new powers, which were decided this afternoon after a special cabinet meeting, will give police the ability to stamp on violence before it got out of hand, Mr Iemma said.

"These criminals have declared war on our society and we are not going to let them win," he said.

Dozens of people have been injured and many others arrested in two days of racial violence along Sydney's southern and eastern beaches.

The new powers, which resemble emergency powers in place for the 2000 Olympics, will include:

The establishment of lock-down zones.

Powers to shut down licensed premises.

The creation of temporary alcohol-free zones.

Powers to confiscate vehicles if the occupants are believed to be rioters.
Penalties for riot-related offenses will also be increased, he said.

Meanwhile, a Sydney surfer gang, the Bra Boys, and a Lebanese Muslim leader are attempting to broker a peace deal between rival groups following a second night of riots in the city's south.

The leaders of the gang, champion surfer Koby Abberton and Sunny Abberton, and Keysar Trad, the president of the Islamic Friendship Association, have held talks about ways to encourage people to stop the violence.

"What happened in Cronulla was the most cowardly thing I have ever seen in Australia's history," Koby Abberton told the Nine Network's Today.

"I was upset being an Australian that day."

Mr Trad said said the Bra Boys had expressed their support and appreciation for the Middle Eastern community.

"They have many friends who are from a Lebanese and Middle Eastern background and of various religions, so they want peace.

"I have to say that I respect the petitions that they have made and I hope that society will heed this message."

The peace move comes after a new wave of unrest hit the city overnight in apparent reprisal attacks for Sunday's race riot at Cronulla, in Sydney's south, where alcohol-fuelled mobs chased and bashed people of Middle Eastern appearance.

Last night's mob violence was reportedly sparked by a new round of text messages inciting violence that circulated yesterday, including one declaring war between Sydney youths of Middle Eastern origin and white Australians.

Seven people were injured, cars and shops trashed, and rocks and flares hurled at police during last night riots. Eleven men were arrested.

The trouble began when a group of 200 mostly Muslim men gathered at Lakemba Mosque, in Sydney's south-west, apparently after rumours that an attack on the building was imminent.

There were reports several men gathered outside the mosque were carrying Glock pistols.

Rocks and flares were thrown at police trying to disperse the group, and a female constable was injured when a projectile struck her leg.

Police were also hit with projectiles as a crowd of about 100 people gathered for a second night in Brighton-le-Sands, in Sydney's south.

Two police cars were damaged and rubbish bins were thrown at shopfronts as officers attempted to control the crowd.

[craigwardo]

To Luis and Channy,

I am not trying to have a dig here.... I am just saying that I personally was not surprised at what happend on Sunday, and I am shocked that you are. Each to there own.

[craigwardo]

Very well put Channy.

I think Craig is the one who wants to walk around with blinders on...

I donut understand how you can come to this conclusion.

Can you explain pls.

[Chantel]

To Luis and Channy,

I am not trying to have a dig here.... I am just saying that I personally was not surprised at what happend on Sunday, and I am shocked that you are. Each to there own.

You were expecting 5000 people to violently attack each over the weekend?

[Hitman]

So how do we magically fix this? How can one turn around to some one else and say "the way you think is wrong, change it".

How about not turning a blind eye?
The community as a whole working together to confront this situation in an intelligent manner??
A little thing called education???

We in Australia seem to encourage free thought/speech in a variety of ways, how can we now turn around and ridicule others for their (all be it racist) beliefs.

Free thought/speech AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T CAUSE PHYSICAL HARM OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OTHERS...

[craigwardo]

I was expecting a huge backlash and violence, yes.

I was not expecting anything that size - but I was not suprised by it.