AUSTRALIA: SMS calls for race riots out in four states

[othermeans]

Straits Times <http://www.straitstimes.com>

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-pacificislands.asp?parentid=35642

Thursday, December 15, 2005
Sydney --- Cellphone text messages calling for racial violence in four Australian states circulated yesterday as another major overnight security operation began in Sydney to maintain peace in beachside suburbs.

More than 450 police officers took to the streets in Australia's largest city for a second night, erecting roadblocks to check drivers moving into areas of previous unrest such as Cronulla Beach in the south.
Sydney's racial violence erupted at Cronulla last Sunday when a mob of about 5,000, some yelling racist chants, attacked people of Middle Eastern appearance. They said they were defending their beach from Lebanese youth gangs.

Police said white supremacists incited violence at Cronulla.
<snip>

[xultar]

1. Welp that takes Australia off my list of places to ask for asylum.

[dutchdemocrat]

4. Photoshop - Michael Howard.

[sasha031]

2. they have their problems too

I am surprised how racist the Aussies appear to be.

[heidler1]

3. They were told that the Aborigines chose to live in the out back.

I went to class with three of them, in the 60s, who were all shocked at what was going on in Little Rock, but would not admit that they were guilty too.

[anotherdrew]

6. "let me abo go, joe, let me abo go..." and paid bounties for dead ones

at one point.

[anotherdrew]

5. coming soon to the USA I bet

they're testing methods there first.

[cantstandbush]

7. You mean, "coming AGAIN to the US." n/t

[UncleSepp]

8. But it's white supremacists. Shouldn't Aussies just ignore them?

Shouldn't we all just ignore these people? They're just looking for attention...

OK, not really, but I think this highlights the danger in "don't let the neonazis get a rise out of you, just ignore them" approach that often gets espoused here on DU. I don't think it works to turn your back - I think this is what happens when the neos get smart enough to put their message out when and where it will be the most well received, and when there is no equally well organized propaganda action to counter theirs.

[thespiritualzebra]

9. hey Aussie here...

Most Australians (especially young people) aren't racist or homophobic, and are as surprised to see a violent mob at the beach as you probably are. So far this has been isolated to 2(?) beaches south of Sydney and most of Sydney is safe and not caught up in any hysteria.

I don't know what's behind it. In Sydney you'll see Greeks, Italians, Chinese, Lebanese and others cheerfully getting along anywhere you go. Cronulla beach used to be nice place. I don't know what happened and I hope it's over.

[Matilda]

10. Cronulla's had its problems in the past, but not quite as bad as this.

Definitely the trouble started with a group of Lebanese Muslims, but every racist thug around
Sydney has been eager to push it along. It's not over yet, and it seems that it's likely to
spread to Wollongong and Newcastle this weekend, and who knows about other states - seems somebody
up on the Gold Coast is trying to get a brawl started there too. The trouble is, every idiot with
testosterone mixed with alcohol thinks he'd like to get amongst it too.

Can't help noticing that - as he did when Pauline Hansen first made her voice heard - little Johnny
has been very slow to condemn the racist elements fuelling the trouble along. He's denying that
we're racist, denying that any comments of his about Muslims has contributed in any way, denying
that it's hurting Australia in the eyes of the world. We could expect the leader of the country
to make it clear that racial violence from anyone is unacceptable and won't be tolerated, but as
long it doesn't touch Kirribilli House, I don't think we'll hear a peep out of him. Maybe this is
how he gets his jollies.

[thespiritualzebra]

12. thanks newyawker and hi matilda and everyone...

I read a bit more about what happened. One account said the Cronulla riot started with some kind of 'reclaim the beach' day with thousands(!) of mainly young people (including some families) with violent/racist tendencies. They were displaying Australian flags, some with racist or divisive slogans; having BBQs, getting drunk and looking for Lebanese-looking people to gang up on.

I've never seen Australian symbols being used like this (though I'm sure it's happened). Compare the Sydney 2000 Olympics - Australians celebrating together.

Some of the background was Lebanese gangs intimidating people in the area, made more aggressive by 'zero-tolerance' policing and general racism against Lebanese people; with the fear of terrorism in Australia a factor.

The puzzling part is how so many thugs got so organised and started 'nazifying' Australian flags etc.

Divisive talk radio hosts and the *stories* about mass text messages being spread around didn't help (not that the text messages weren't real). But who pays attention to a text message from someone they don't know and where'd they get phone numbers?

If you lived in these areas recently it probably makes more sense, but I've never been afraid for my safety on any beach and now there's certain beaches I won't go near (for now) which is sad.

Most Australians are familiar with people from Italian, Greek and Chinese backgrounds; but have less familiarity with people from Lebanese and Vietnamese backgrounds.

TV shows like "Pizza" make light of Lebanese and Italian Australian stereotypes and gang culture; and there are many comedians which break down barriers eg an Egyptian and Vietnamese Australian comedian.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi thespritualzebra!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: