2005 Cronulla riots and The Raconteurs: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox musical artist

The '''2005 Sydney race riots''' began with a protest, which took place near the beachfront at [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]], a southern coastal suburb of [[Sydney]], [[Australia|Australia's]] largest city. On [[Sunday]], [[December 11]], [[2005]], approximately 5000 people had gathered in an ad-hoc protest to "reclaim the beach" from recently-reported incidents of assaults and intimidatory behaviour by non-locals, most of whom were identified in the earlier media reports as [[Lebanese]] youths from the western suburbs of Sydney. The crowd had assembled following a widely-reported series of earlier confrontations, and an assault on three volunteer lifesavers ([[Lifeguards]]) which had taken place the previous weekend. In the week leading up to the major incident of the 11th, these confrontations and the subsequent circulation of anonymous calls (spread via [[short message service|SMS text messaging]] and other means) to gather at the beach were the subject of much publicity and media commentary.

| Name = The Raconteurs

| Img = JackWhitebySteveHopson.jpg

| Img_capt = Jack White in concert with The Raconteurs at the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]], 2006

| Background = group_or_band

| Origin = {{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]]

| Genre = [[Indie rock]]<br>[[Alternative rock]]<br>[[Blues Rock]]<br>[[Hard Rock]]

| Years_active = [[2005]]&ndash;present

| Label = [[Third Man Records]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[XL Recordings]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[V2 Records]]

| URL = [http://www.theraconteurs.com/ www.theraconteurs.com]

| Current_members = [[Brendan Benson]]<br />[[Patrick Keeler]]<br />[[Jack Lawrence (bassist)|Jack Lawrence]]<br />[[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]]

| Past_members =

}}

'''The Raconteurs''', also known as '''The Saboteurs''' in [[Australia]], are a [[Grammy Award|Grammy]]-nominated [[rock music|rock]] band, featuring four members previously known for other musical projects.

The crowd initially assembled without incident, but violence broke out after a large segment of the mostly white crowd chased a man of [[Middle East]]ern appearance into a [[public house|hotel]]. The ensuing [[melee]] soon became widespread; in the course of it a number of police, ambulance officers and individual members of the public perceived to be Lebanese were assaulted.

According to the current definition, The Raconteurs qualify as a rock-and-roll [[Supergroup (bands)|supergroup]], featuring the songwriting of [[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]] of [[The White Stripes]] and [[Brendan Benson]], who are both from [[Detroit, Michigan]]. In the band's own words, however, they are not a [[supergroup]], asserting that the term implies something pre-planned, whereas they are actually "a new band made up of old friends."<ref name=MTV2>JH (2006). [http://www.mtv.co.uk/mtv2/music/article.jhtml?articleId=75132981 "Jack White and chums drop an album"] MTV2.co.uk (accessed May 18, 2006)</ref>

The following nights saw incidents of mob violence and vandalism in Cronulla and other suburbs throughout the southern Sydney Metropolitan Area, by people of Middle Eastern descent, and an unprecedented police lock-down of the beaches in Sydney and surrounding areas, from [[Wollongong]] to [[Newcastle]].

The Raconteurs are one of the few non-Irish bands to star in the popular web-cartoons of ''[[Eyebrowy.com]]''.[http://www.eyebrowy.com/animations/jackwhite1.htm]

==11 December — the riot ==

[[Image:Cronulla riots 2 - no lebs.jpg|right|thumb|280px|[[11 December]]- Protesters at North Cronulla]]

On Sunday [[11 December]] 2005, prior to the outbreak of violence, an estimated crowd of some 5000 people had gathered at Cronulla beach{{ref|smh1}}. Most of those in attendance appeared to be from [[Anglo]] or other [[European]] backgrounds, however other groups were represented as well (''Daily Telegraph'', [[December 12]]; see also [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17617478%255E2702,00.html]). The assembly occurred after elements in the local community had called for a public showing in response to the previous weekend's reported assault by several individuals of "Lebanese origin" on two or three Cronulla beach [[surf lifesavers]]{{ref|abc1}}; police had earlier stated that they believed this previous assault had not been racially motivated. Regardless, some members of the local community later vocalised their opinions to the media that there had been insufficient attention paid to similarly-reported incidents in the past [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17514748-1242,00.html].

==Members==

Thirteen people were injured throughout the day. Some were prevented from further injury by the assistance of people within the crowd, disgusted by the behaviour of the assaulters.

*[[Jack White (musician)|Jack White]] (of [[White Stripes]]) – [[vocals]], [[guitar]], [[keyboards]]

*[[Brendan Benson]] – [[vocals]], [[guitar]], [[keyboards]]

*[[Jack Lawrence (bassist)|Jack Lawrence]] (of [[The Greenhornes]] and [[Blanche (band)|Blanche]]) – [[bass guitar]]

*[[Patrick Keeler]] (of [[The Greenhornes]]) – [[drumkit|drums]], [[percussion]]

*[[Dean Fertita]] (of [[The Waxwings]] and currently [[Queens of the Stone Age]]) as a live touring member only – [[guitar]], [[keyboards]], [[percussion]]

==Biography==

A number of the demonstrators wore clothing bearing slogans such as "We Grew Here, You Flew Here", "[[Wog]] Free Zone", "Aussie Pride", "Fuck u - save 'Nulla", and "[[Ethnic Cleansing]] Unit". Chants of "[[Leb]]s out", "Lebs go home" and other expressions were continuously shouted out by many of the demonstrators, including some families with young children. A banner saying "LOCALS ONLY" with a symbol for [[anarchism]] in place of the "A" was displayed (Daily Telegraph, [[December 12]]).

===Formation===

According to the official website, "The seed was sown in an attic in the middle of a hot summer when friends Jack White and Brendan Benson got together and wrote a song that truly inspired them. This song was "[[Steady, As She Goes]]" and the inspiration led to the creation of a full band with the addition of Lawrence and Keeler."

The band came together in Detroit during 2005 and recorded when time allowed for the remainder of the year.

==="Steady, As She Goes"===

Representatives from three far-right organisations were also identified, handing out pamphlets: "[[Australia First|Australia First Party]]", "[[Patriotic Youth League]]" (PYL) and the Newcastle-based [[Blood and Honour]]. PYL describes itself as a "radical nationalist" group with links to the German-based skinhead group [[Volksfront]], [[British National Party]] and the [[New Zealand National Front]]. None of these groups claimed a role in organising the protest.

"[[Steady, As She Goes|Steady, As She Goes/Store Bought Bones]]" was released as a limited-edition 7-inch, 45 rpm vinyl record in Europe on [[January 30]], [[2006]],<ref name="NMEfirstsingle">[http://www.nme.com/news/white-stripes/22043 The Raconteurs confirm first single], ''[[NME]]'', [[2006-01-24]]</ref> and in North America on [[March 7]], [[2006]]. A CD version of "Steady, as She Goes" was released on [[April 24]], [[2006]], with the B-side "Bane Rendition."

The video for "Steady As She Goes," directed by [[Jim Jarmusch]], premiered on [[MTV2 Europe|MTV2]] on [[March 10]], [[2006]]. It was also available for streaming on the band's website. An alternate video, featuring the band racing each other in a soap box derby, with a rare appearance from [[Paul Reubens]] as the bad guy out to sabotage the race, premiered exclusively on [[Yahoo! Music]] [[June 19]], [[2006]].

NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione afterwards said police believed representatives of [[neo-Nazi]] and [[white supremacist]] groups had been among the crowd.

"That in fact is something that we're following up," he later told the Nine network.

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' ran an article discussing how the song has the exact same bassline as [[Joe Jackson (musician)|Joe Jackson]]'s "[[Is She Really Going Out With Him?]]".<ref name="Copy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,1204700_4_0_,00.html|title=Do You Copy?|accessdate=2006-09-24|year=2006}}</ref>

[[Image:Cronulla riots 2 -- no lebs.jpg|left|thumb|280px|Crowd assembled at Cronulla, 11 December]]

According to [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC News]], after several hours had passed without direct confrontation, the initially festive atmosphere rapidly turned to violence:

The closing seconds of the track have been used to close "Saturday Live" on BBC Radio 4, generating a lot of interest as to what the song is.

<blockquote>"Earlier in the day the atmosphere had been party-like despite the large crowd, which some estimates say numbers 5,000 people. That changed when a man of [[Middle East]]ern appearance was chased into a hotel bistro. Within a minute the hotel was surrounded by several thousand people screaming and chanting. About a half an hour later a fight broke out across the road and police led away a man with a shirt over his head as the crowd lobbed beer cans at him". {{ref|abc2}}</blockquote>

===''Broken Boy Soldiers''===

Through the remainder of the day, several more individuals of "Middle Eastern appearance" were assaulted, as well as several others who were not from this background, including a Jewish boy and a Greek girl{{ref|smh1}}. According to one local who was present, one man had shouted out to the crowd "I'm going to blow youse all up"[http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/police-remain-clueless-in-cronulla/2006/01/29/1138469606720.html] before he was surrounded by the crowd and attacked. Police and ambulance workers leading away the victims from the riots were also assaulted by groups of young men throwing beer bottles. {{ref|abc1}} Several dozen people were treated for minor cuts and bruises, while six individuals were evacuated under police escort to be assessed by doctors. One was further evacuated to St. George Hospital, in a serious but stable condition. {{ref|smh1}}{{ref|abc2}}

The Raconteurs' full-length debut, titled ''[[Broken Boy Soldiers]]'', was released on [[May 15]], [[2006]] in the UK on Third Man Recordings/XL Recordings and May 16 in the US on Third Man Recordings/V2 Records. It entered the UK charts at #2 and the US charts at #7. The album was recorded at Brendan Benson's in-home studio located in Detroit.

[[Image:Cronulla riots 3 - police.jpg|right|thumb|280px|Police observing protestors]]

As they moved to protect several individuals targeted by the crowds, many of the police present employed riot equipment including [[pepper spray|capsicum spray]] in order to subdue several of the attackers. A call for reinforcements was placed to the police station in [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]], a nearby suburb on the peninsula. Local police at Cronulla had earlier commented that they were sufficiently prepared to deal with any anticipated violence at Cronulla beach, but seemed to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who had arrived.

On [[November 3]], [[2006]], the Raconteurs performed 'Broken Boy Soldier' and 'Store Bought Bones' on [[Later with Jools Holland]]. According to reporters from ''[[Planet Sound]]'' who attended the show taping, during 'Store Bought Bones' Jack White's guitar broke down and they had to re-play the song. This eventually happened four times, with the band breaking up in laughter by the 4th take. The TV airing used edited pieces from all four performances and cut out any laughter.

Elouera Road was temporarily closed to traffic. A total of 25 people were later reported injured in the incidents, including two ambulance officers{{ref|smh1}}. Later that evening, the ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' quoted a [[New South Wales Police]] spokesman as saying that seven people had been arrested, and that charges had been filed against four individuals{{ref|smh1}}. By the following morning of the 12th, "news.com.au" reported twelve arrests total. Charges to be laid included assaulting police, throwing a missile, offensive behaviour, hindering police, and resisting arrest{{ref|aunews1}}.

In December 2006, Broken Boy Soldiers was awarded the title Album of the Year by Britain's Mojo magazine.[http://www.albumofthemonth.com/mojo2006.html]

==Lebanese mob violence==

===11 December — evening===

Following the confrontations at the beach earlier in the day, there were reports that a number of people traveling in groups were converging on various locations in the region, in a series of apparent retaliatory actions. As several convoys of men of Middle Eastern appearance approached the beachside suburbs at around 10:45 pm, the NSW police operations commander on duty issued instructions that their cars were not to be approached, but that registration and ___location details be recorded [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/riot-order-avoid-middle-eastern-men/2006/02/03/1138958911068.html]. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites confirmed the reason for this instruction was "They weren't committing any offences at the time [they were in convoy] and it was about making sure they recorded [the details] so they have all the information." Several of the individuals concerned were held in custody that night in relation to some later events of that evening, with some ensuing charges being filed a little over a month afterwards. Superintendant Ken McKay, head of Strike Force Enoggera later set up to deal with the incidents, commented: "We are investigating a large number of crimes that occurred on this night and I'm quite confident, having around 200 car numbers … A lot has been made of issues that aren't issues." Promising that there would be further arrests as investigations were completed, he also noted that he was sick of the politicising of the investigations into the revenge attacks.

Recently, The Raconteurs have been nominated for two [[Grammy Awards]]: One for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]] (for ''Broken Boy Soldiers''), and another for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] (for "Steady as She Goes").<ref> GRAMMY.COM - 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee List, http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/49th_Show/list.aspx</ref>

Through the remainder of the evening, cars and windows in [[Maroubra]] and [[Rockdale, New South Wales|Rockdale]] were vandalised. {{ref|abc3}} Several instances of property damage at the [[Rockdale railway station, Sydney|Rockdale railway station]] were reported. One man was stabbed in the back when assaulted by a gang of ten men, allegedly of Middle Eastern appearance.

===Future Plans===

By 1:00 am, reports of violence had also spread to [[Brighton Le Sands]], where police wearing riot gear sectioned off Bay Street in a confrontation with a crowd. {{ref|abc4}} The violence then spread to [[Ashfield, New South Wales|Ashfield]] in Sydney's [[Inner West (Sydney)|Inner West]], as well as suburbs in [[Greater Western Sydney]], with outbreaks in [[Bankstown, New South Wales|Bankstown]] and [[Punchbowl, New South Wales|Punchbowl]].{{ref|abc5}}

The band is currently recording songs for their next album at Blackbird Studios in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. They have twelve songs written, and plan on releasing the album in 2008.<ref> Billboard.com "Raconteurs In The Thick Of Recording New Album",http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003575716</ref>

Police said 16 people had been arrested and charged with 41 offences. Those charged were from Mortdale, Cronulla, Bondi Junction, Kareela, Granville, Lugarno, Greenacre, Mascot, Northmead, Jannali, Sutherland, and Riverwood. Offences included malicious damage, resisting police, hindering police, assaulting police, resisting arrest, possessing prohibited drugs, behaving in an offensive manner, threatening violence, affray, possession of a knife in a public place, and driving in a dangerous manner. All of those charged were men between 17 and 40 years of age.

The Raconteurs have also recorded a new song called "Footsteps" with [[The Hives]], probably slated to be on the new album. "5 on the 5," a song the band played live, is likely to be on the album.

Several of the local residents who were quoted in media reports indicated a state of shock and a reluctance to be identified, out of fear of retribution.

Along with those tracks, it's possible one of the many covers the band played live (or an entirely different one) will be on the album.

===12 December===

On Monday [[12 December]] [[2005]], political, community, and religious leaders condemned the violence. Some politicians and other leaders have alluded to underlying racism within Australian society, whilst others have condemned the violence as "thuggish", criminal and alcohol-fuelled behaviour. [[Ken Moroney]], Police Commissioner of NSW, told the ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' that he was ashamed at the "mob mentality" of the rally. He further elaborated:

<blockquote>"The other equally offensive conduct today, the absolutely total un-Australian conduct today, was an attack on an ambulance. That has brought a higher level of shame to those involved in that level of attack and they deserve to be condemned in the highest possible terms."{{ref|abc1}}</blockquote>

Other possibilities would be one of the leaked Brendan Benson demos. One reason for this was that both "Call It A Day" and "Together" were supposed to be on a solo album of his, as well as "Store Bought Bones" which was supposed to be a [[Get Behind Me Satan]] song. If a demo of his appeared on the new album, it would be likely to be "Feel Like Taking You Home Now" since critics have pointed out a Raconteurs influence.

[[Keysar Trad]], president of the [[Islamic Friendship Association of Australia]], stated that the violence was "bound to happen" because of racist rhetoric on Sydney [[talk radio]] throughout the week.{{ref|smh1}} Trad was once an irregular translator of the conroversial (now defunct) Islamic Youth Movement, which has since been investigated for alleged terrorism-related offences

Also, the title "Monkeys Have It Easy" was placed on the White Stripes site in the press release for [[Icky Thump]] with "discarded" after it. It's unlikely, but the song could be a new Raconteurs song now.

Prime Minister [[John Howard]] condemned the riots, describing the violence as "sickening", adding however that he did not believe racism to be widespread in Australia. Opposition leader [[Kim Beazley]] also condemned the violence.

The band recorded for a three week period before they prepared for individual releases with their other bands, though Jack said they might not finish by then.

On [[12 December]] a police strike force was established to track down those responsible for the riots using video and photo evidence.

==Discography==

The New South Wales State Parliament was recalled by the Premier on Tuesday, [[13 December]], to increase police powers in regard to the riots. The new powers may include the closing of alcohol outlets and the confiscation of motor vehicles. <!-- Source: Sky News on Three, 2005-12-13 13:55 -->

=== Albums ===

<gallery>

Image: Broken Boy Soldiers.jpg|<center>'''''[[Broken Boy Soldiers]]'''''<br><center> [[May 15]], [[2006]]<br>[[V2 Records]]<br>US #7, UK #2<br><br><center>

</gallery>

They have also released live performance albums in limited quantities at their respective concerts.

On Monday [[12 December]], there were initially reports of new text messages circulating, leading to concern over fresh violence at Cronulla. [http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17541304-5001021,00.html]

===Singles===

Various news [http://www.skynews.com.au/news/story.asp?id=82896 sources] later reported around a thousand people gathering outside Sydney's [[Lakemba, New South Wales|Lakemba]] mosque on Monday night. Residents claimed they were there to defend the Mosque against attacks from Southern gangs, as had been threatened by the white demonstrators. The crowd had started to disperse at 9:30pm [http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17547416-5001028,00.html][http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1529504.htm], but the [[Seven Network]] reported that some then packed into dozens of cars, travelling in convoys towards [[Southern Sydney|Sydney's southern district]], while sporadically assaulting people and vandalising cars and property in [[Bexley, New South Wales|Bexley]] and various other suburbs on their way.

{| class="wikitable sortable"

!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|Year

!align="left" valign="top"|Song

!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|U.S. Hot 100]]<small>

!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[Modern Rock Tracks chart|U.S. Modern Rock]]<small>

!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[UK singles chart]]<small>

!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[UK Download Chart]]<small>

!align="center" valign="top" width="40"|<small>[[UK singles chart|UK Indie Singles]]<small>

!align="left" valign="top"|Album

|-

|align="center" valign="top"|2006

|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Steady, As She Goes]]"

|align="center" valign="top"|55

|align="center" valign="top"|'''1'''

|align="center" valign="top"|4

|align="center" valign="top"|5

|align="center" valign="top"|1

|align="left" valign="top"|''[[Broken Boy Soldiers]]''

|-

|align="center" valign="top"|2006

|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Hands (Raconteurs song)|Hands]]"

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|29

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|2

|align="left" valign="top"|''[[Broken Boy Soldiers]]''

|-

|align="center" valign="top"|2006

|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Broken Boy Soldier (Raconteurs song)|Broken Boy Soldier]]"

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|22

|align="center" valign="top"|39

|align="center" valign="top"|2

|align="left" valign="top"|''[[Broken Boy Soldiers]]''

|-

|align="center" valign="top"|2007

|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Level (Raconteurs song)|Level]]"

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|7

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="center" valign="top"|-

|align="left" valign="top"|''[[Broken Boy Soldiers]]''

|-

|}

==Live performances==

Reports from [http://speedy.akadns.info/streams/8000/sydneypolice.pls Sydney Police Radio]<!--audio file, needs to be converted to footnote--> and [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17549789-2,00.html news.com.au] reported further violence on the night of [[12 December]], with residents of Cronulla reporting that cars full of apparently Middle Eastern men had driven into the area. The local shopping centre appeared to be a target for mobs, with several vehicles vandalised. The men "went on a rampage" while nearby residents prepared to defend their homes and families.

The Raconteurs first performed live at the Academy in [[Liverpool]], [[United Kingdom|U.K.]], on [[March 20]], [[2006]], launching a short British tour. Their first American date was the next month, on [[April 20]] at [[New York City|New York]]'s [[Irving Plaza]]. Nearly nonstop touring followed, bringing the band to audiences around North America and Europe. The high profile of [[Jack White]] meant that even though the band was new, they were able to sell out mid-size venues — a rarity for a band's first tour.

The band has played a number of music festivals in Europe, Asia, and North America (including Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL and [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]] in [[Austin, Texas]]), headlining many.

According to a report which appeared in the [[January 22]] edition of the ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/how-one-man-defied-a-cronulla-mob/2006/01/21/1137734189862.html] one of the Cronulla residents was saved by the actions of a 24-year-old junior rugby league coach Ahmed Jajieh. The son of Lebanese immigrants, Jajieh had been among the people assembled outside the Lakemba mosque in order to protect it from the expected attack. After the threats were not realised, he reported trying to dissuade a group from moving on to Cronulla to execute reprisal attacks, in which he was unsuccessful. He later set off for Cronulla himself, "...to make sure nothing happened", where he came across a local man under assault by a group of up to thirty young men. In security camera footage later released by police to the media, he is seen confronting and warding off the assault. The victim sustained minor injuries including a hairline fracture of the arm.

In November [[2006]], the Raconteurs played eight dates as the opening act for [[Bob Dylan]] on the northeastern leg of his U.S. tour.

Other incidents of apparent retaliatory strikes included the stabbing of a 23-year-old white Australian man at a golf club at the nearby Sydney suburb of [[Woolooware]]. According to his account he and two females were approached by two carloads of young males, and after a confrontation in which it is alleged the females were threatened with sexual assault, he was stabbed once in the lower back [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17549651%255E2702,00.html]. The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The band has performed a number of covers during live shows. For instance, the set list usually includes renditions of "[[Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)]]" (a song written by [[Sonny Bono]] and popularized by both [[Cher]] and [[Nancy Sinatra]]) and "Headin' For the Texas Border" by [[The Flamin Groovies]]. Other songs the band has covered include [[Gnarls Barkley]]'s "[[Crazy (Gnarls Barkley song)|Crazy]]", [[Bo Diddley]]'s "Who Do You Love?", [[The Undertones]]' "[[Teenage Kicks]]," [[David Bowie]]'s "[[It Ain't Easy (song)|It Ain´t Easy]]", and [[Love (band)|Love]]'s "A House Is Not A Motel".

At the same time, further carloads of youths made their way to the suburb of Maroubra, organised again by the circulation of SMS text messages. Armed with baseball bats, crowbars and bricks, they vandalised private property (including over 100 cars) throughout streets of Maroubra. Many residents took refuge in their homes, while others who tried to confront the gangs were attacked. A 23-year-old man was injured during the unrest, as he was bashed by baseball-bat wielding youths, who attacked his car [http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17548679%255E953,00.html].

== The Saboteurs ==

At [[Maroubra Beach]], police said they found a stockpile of 30 Molotov cocktails and crates of rocks stockpiled on rooftops, as hundreds of local surfers gathered. Weapons such as iron bars, baseball bats, knives and even firearms are being found and confiscated.

The Raconteurs were forced to rename themselves as "The Saboteurs" for the Australian market when it was discovered that a [[Queensland]] band was already using the name "Raconteurs". The Queensland band refused to give up their name for the amount they were offered, and instead tried to extract a higher price from the Raconteurs' record company.<ref name="HeraldSunNameChange">[http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18734967%255E28957,00.html Double-up forces switch], ''[[Herald Sun]]'', [[2006-04-07]]</ref>

A member of the Queensland band has said that they hadn't been informed of who was trying to buy their name and asked for the larger sum of money to see what would happen.<ref name="TripleJNameChange">[http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1613948.htm Saboteurs of Raconteurs], ''[[Triple J|Triple J Music News]]'', [[2006-04-11]]</ref>

==Audio sample==

[[Morris Iemma]], Premier of [[New South Wales]] announced on Tuesday that police will be given "lockdown" powers which would allow them to prohibit entry into specified areas.

{{Listen|filename=Steady_as_she_goes.ogg|title="Steady, As She Goes"|description=25-second clip of the chorus of [[Steady, As She Goes]] by The Raconteurs|format=[[Ogg]]}}

Referring to vigilantes, Mr Iemma said, "These criminals have declared war on our society and we are not going to let them win... ...You will not take control of our streets."

Police said this kind of unrest was unprecedented in Australia. Australian media reported that mobile telephone text messages from Australians of Anglo-Saxon and as well as Middle Eastern backgrounds were both calling for revenge attacks to continue.

===14 December===

On the morning of [[14 December]] [[2005]], local media reported that SMS text messages, inciting further riots, were being sent to mobile users in other states including Victoria and Queensland.

At the tail end of a Christmas carols service at St Joseph the Worker Primary School drive-by shots were fired into cars and parents were verbally abused. A total of four Churches in Sydney's South-West were attacked during the evening. [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17572776%255E601,00.html]

The Uniting [[Church]] hall in [[Auburn, New South Wales|Auburn]], which is next to an Islamic centre, was set ablaze about 1.30am (AEDT) on [[15 December]]. Police suspect it is directly related to the ongoing racially-motivated violence in Sydney. [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17570541-2,00.html]

===15 December===

On [[15 December]], NSW Police increased their activity on Sydney streets, including searching individuals. Police were also asked to keep a careful eye on places of religious worship or significance since the [[arson]] attack in Auburn. Two people were arrested in [[Cronulla]]. The first was chased by police down Croydon St at 8pm AEDT and arrested in the front yard of a unit block. As he was led away he screamed: "I'm just sticking up for my country." The second person was arrested at 9.40pm when weapons including [[knuckle dusters]] and crowbars were found in a bag in Cronulla Mall.

Later that evening a couple suffered facial and head injuries when they were attacked at a restaurant in Caringbah. A man sustained fractured ribs and head injuries while taking out garbage bins at his Cronulla home; he was attacked by men of "Middle Eastern" appearance carrying golf clubs. A police officer was also injured as he broke up a brawl at a shopping centre in [[Wetherill Park]] in Sydney's south west at about 8.30pm. An 18-year-old man was charged with a range of offences including two counts of assaulting a police officer.

The [[New South Wales Parliament]] was recalled from Christmas Holidays on Thursday [[15 December]], to pass legislation giving police the power to order that bottle shops and hotels close down and to lock down areas of suburbs with roadblocks, and also the right to instantly confiscate weapons, search and impound cars. Under existing law, police in New South Wales could ask bottle shop and hotel owners close their doors, but not force them to do so.

==Responses==

===Police===

Police Commissioners and Authorities expected violence to again continue as signs of more retaliation and revenge were discovered, such as inflammatory SMS messages being sent, youths gathering in cars and on streets and hidden stockpiles of weapons being found.

Amidst fears of a third night of violence, perhaps continuing for the entire week, 450 police officers were deployed in Sydney's suburbs, ready to respond to any violent youths or gangs. The New South Wales Deputy Commissioner of Police [[Andrew Scipione]] said that while they had no specific intelligence, police expected more unrest. He also said that if needed he would seek assistance from police in other states, for extra resources and manpower.

[[Deputy Police Commissioner]] [[Andrew Scipione]] said there had been a "welcome respite" last night from the violence of past days. But he said police would not be dropping their guard, with 450 officers on the streets of Sydney on the [[December 15]] and 16, and numbers are likely to rise on the weekend as well. "I'd say this is the first time we've ever encountered this kind of phenomena anywhere in Australia," Mr Scipione said. "We'll look at it with a view of saying what is it that we can draw from the new powers that will allow us to be safe?" But he said police would have sufficient resources to cope with any more flare-ups at Sydney's eastern and southern beaches.

Police were also been aware that gangs of [[Lebanese]] and white youths had been organizing retaliatory attacks and violence through SMS messages, and that a message congratulated Australians for the fight against the Lebanese, but called for more attacks. "We'll show them! It's on again Sunday," the message said. Likewise, messages circulating amongst Arab gangs called for another large-scale retaliatory riot at Cronulla beach([[18 December]] AEST).

===Political and community leaders===

Many Political spokesmen and analysts, such as NSW Premier Morris Iemma, Professor Michael Cyline and leaders of Islamic communities such as Keysar Trad, expressed fears that further violence would happen, fuelled by ongoing racial or ethnic tensions. See [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4525352.stm BBC News] for information of the long-term ethnic tensions in Sydney.

They perceived this state of conflict as a result of the years of brooding disagreements and hatred between the two main ethnic groups involved in these incidents: Anglo-Australians, on the one hand, and Middle Eastern, [[Lebanese]] and [[Islam in Australia|Muslim Australians]] on the other. In the years after the [[September 11, 2001 Attacks]] on the World Trade Centre towers, many had felt the sense of fear created by terrorism has only heightened public awareness of Arab communities in Sydney and their ongoing differences with non-Muslim Australians.

Several Muslim women's groups made calls for the a voluntary curfew on [[Arab]] youths, requesting parents to keep their children at home over the weekend after the mob violence. They also urged parents to confiscate mobile telephones and car keys, in an attempt to forestall further aggression and retaliatory attacks. Similar sentiments were expressed by the [[Assistant Police Commissioner]], Mark Goodwin, who said "I urge community leaders to continue dialogue in an effort to defuse the aggression."

Jack Passaris, Chair of the [[Ethnic Communities Council of NSW]], the peak representative body of the State's ethnic groups called for an urgent review of the racial-vilification laws in light of the race riots. "We would urge the government to introduce laws which would make the intentional incitement of racial hatred into a criminal offence," he said.[http://english.epochtimes.com/news/5-12-13/35734.html]

In the days following the events of the 11th, [[NSW Police Minister]] [[Carl Scully]] outlined preparations to be made by police in anticipation of further unrest the next weekend. He also added that the increased police presence in Sydney could be expected to continue throughout the summer.

"We expect further problems. We had more than 400 cops (police) last night. Expect hundreds on top of that on Saturday and Sunday," he said.

In a speech made on [[December 15]], [[Premiers of New South Wales|NSW Premier]] [[Morris Iemma]] also described the intentions and action plans for increased police coverage to be put into effect. "Special attention will be paid to places of worship, our churches and our schools," he said. Mr Iemma warned that a 500-strong Anti-Riot Squad would be out in force over the summer to as a precaution against any further disturbances.

The Premier also foreshadowed that a draft of a Bill (Legislation) had been prepared, which was intended to provide special and augmented powers to police, to be used in the case of continuing violence. These proposed laws were to contain a [[sunset clause]] of two years, he said. Mr Iemma also welcomed the "swift justice" and the four-month jail term which had already been handed down in the case of one man who had been arrested and convicted of a charge arising from the recent violence.

Surfer Nathan Rogers, from Maroubra's notorious "[[Bra Boys]]" gang, said: "The beaches are not anyone's turf, they should be open to everyone, no matter of ethnic background." Similar "peace talks" between Muslim leaders and surfers were held at [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla Beach]] on the evening of Wednesday the 14th.

Brian Wilshire, host of a talkback radio program on Maquarie Radio station 2GB, sparked further controversy for calling Lebanese "inbred".

<blockquote>"Many of them have parents who are first cousins whose parents were first cousins. The result of this is inbreeding – the result of which is uneducationable (sic) people...and very low IQ."</blockquote>Following widespread condemnation, including by NSW Premier Morris Iemma, Wilshire has since apologised for his comments.[http://theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17587834%255E1702,00.html]

=== Melbourne anti-racism rally ===

In Melbourne at 5:00 pm at Bourke Street Mall (Friday 16th) there was a large "anti-racism" rally to protest against the riots, though organisers also used it as an opportunity to protest other loosely politically related issues such as the [[War on Terror]] and [[Mandatory_detention_in_Australia|Mandatory Detention]].

=== Response from Rioters ===

Speaking on the Australian Program [[Four Corners]], several youths engaged in the race riots spoke openly about their motivations behaind the attacks [http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2006/s1590953.htm]. One Anglo-Australian youth explained, ''"I want this government to stop the growing threat. And I want them to stop appeasing Islam. And to stop appeasing people that follow Islam."'' Another added, ''"They will probably, like, possibly out-breed us. And once they get the numbers, they can vote their members into parliament. And once their members are in parliament, they can pass laws, like, they've already tried to get the Islamic law into Australia a few times." '' When asked by host [[Liz Jackson]] whether [[Australia]] could become an Islamic state, they replied, ''"Yeah, definitely."''

===SMS Messages, Emails===

Authorities and police have taken the new rounds of circulating [[SMS]] messages throughout Middle-Eastern, as well as Anglo, communities and youths very seriously, as signs portending more violence. Police said they had been investigating text messages allegedly inciting racial violence in [[New South Wales]], [[Queensland]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], South Australia and [[Western Australia]].

Of special note is that in the case of the Cronulla riots, these messages were broadcast nationally, in prime time, uncensored, showing the ___location and date of the proposed riot days in advance, by the [[Nine Network]]'s A Current Affair.

SMS messages were widely circulated in response to these attacks, calling for "anti-racism" protests in Melbourne and other cities on Friday [[December 16]] and Sunday [[December 18]].

Messages from both sides ([[Lebanese]] and [[Anglo]] gangs) of the apparent violence were calling for further large-scale protest the following Sunday, police said, much the same way text messages had originally been used to incite mob violence in Cronulla.

An inflammatory E-mail received by [[Reuters]] from an unknown source appeared to call on immigrants to riot at Bondi beach at the weekend and read: "Time to show these people stuck in the 1950s that times have changed. We are the new Australia." In a counter campaign, Lebanese and surfer gangs held "peace talks" at [[Maroubra]] Beach in Sydney on Wednesday and agreed to start a text message campaign calling for calm. "There are certain individuals and they will be weeded out, they will be outcasts," [[Tony Nasr]], from the [[Lebanese Christian Community]], said after the meeting.[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/religious-leaders-call-for-calm/2005/12/14/1134500910017.html Religious Leaders call for calm]. A small number of [[Usenet]] postings were also utilised in inciting violence.

===Economic impacts===

Many of the small businesses in the affected areas (particularly in the beachside suburbs) reported a significant downturn in trade since the main incident of [[11 December]], with losses of anticipated earnings down by up to 90% at what would ordinarily be a busy time of the year[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/victory-for-urban-terrorists-says-businessman/2005/12/18/1134840742486.html]. A significant downturn in the number of beach visitors over the weekend of 17-[[18 December]] was reported as far away as [[Terrigal, New South Wales|Terrigal]] on the [[Central Coast, New South Wales|Central Coast]]. The head of the Tourism and Transport Forum indicated on [[December 19]] that there had already been layoffs of employees working in the tourism and hospitality industries in Cronulla, and the chief executive of the State Chamber of Commerce, Margy Osmond, was quoted as saying "If the violence continues there is the potential it could even force some businesses to close down and significantly damage our reputation as a tourist destination among both domestic and international visitors" [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/tourism-braces-for-job-losses-if-trouble-persists/2005/12/18/1134840742474.html].

On the [[22 December]] the BBC reported [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4551356.stm] that some beach-side businesses reported a slump in takings by up to 75% since the unrest, and that the New South Wales state government had announced an A$250,000 ($183,000) campaign to bring tourists back to Sydney's beaches, including advertisements featuring well known sports stars, assuring tourists that it was safe to visit the area. Authorities in Britain, Canada and Indonesia issued warnings to their citizens to be on guard for possible continuing racial violence.

==Background and analysis==

===Violence and harassment by Lebanese youths===

[[Image:Cronulla slsc 100 3136.JPG|thumb|280px|Cronulla surf life savers club building]]

On Sunday [[4 December]] [[2005]], a group of male youths of presumed [[Demographics of Lebanon|Lebanese]] descent were playing [[Football (soccer)|soccer]] on a Cronulla beach when the North Cronulla [[surf lifesaving|surf lifesavers]] are reported to have asked them to stop, as it was disturbing other users of the beach. The response from the youths was allegedly: "Get off our beach. This is our beach. We own it." [[Gerard Henderson]], columnist at ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', alleges that the surf lifesavers then provided the youths with "a degree of verbal provocation", and "reminded the south-western suburb inhabitants that they could not swim". {{ref|smh4}} Shortly thereafter three surf lifesavers (aged 15, 19 and 20) were confronted by initially four, and then later up to twelve individuals, and in the process were allegedly assaulted. Not all of those present were directly involved in the [[Melee|melee]], and several of the larger group were reported to have attempted to break up the altercation. {{ref|dt1}} Youths of Lebanese descent were alleged to be the culprits, but police say there was no apparent racial motive behind that assault. {{ref|cnn1}}[http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17483188-5001021,00.html]. A teenager was later charged with assault in company occasioning actual bodily harm [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/07/1133829631860.html].

Reports of sexual harassment and intimidation of female beach-goers by groups of Lebanese youths subsequently emerged. [http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17483188-5001021,00.html]. The ensuing print and media coverage also included accounts of similar, prior complaints in the area from members of the general public over a period of several years. There are unsubstantiated claims that hostility towards Lebanese youths was running high in the area, following a number of [[Sydney gang rapes, 2000, 2002|gang rapes elsewhere in Sydney]] over three years earlier.

===Build-up===

Throughout the following week, from Monday [[5 December]] to [[10 December]] [[2005]], tensions rose as the wider public became aware of the confrontations through extensive print and media coverage and other means:

* An [[Short message service|SMS text message]] was circulated urging retaliation. The text message encouraged "Aussies" to take revenge against "[[Leb]]s and [[Wog#As_a_racial_reference_in_Australian_English|Wog]]s", and said "Bring your mates and let's show them that this is our beach and they are never welcome". It encouraged meeting on Sunday [[11 December]]. [http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17502040%255E421,00.html] The SMS message, and its content, was widely disseminated through talkback radio, national television programming and other media.

* On [[7 December]] there were ongoing stories in the media about people who had been harassed and assaulted at Cronulla beach by Lebanese groups [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17487766-28698,00.html].

* On Thursday [[8 December]], the [[Premier of New South Wales|Premier]] of [[New South Wales]] (NSW), [[Morris Iemma]], urged people not to take the law into their own hands [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1526343.htm].

* Throughout the week, Sydney [[radio]] personality [[Alan Jones (radio)|Alan Jones]], known for his inflammatory comments, repeatedly read out the infamous SMS on air, while [[2UE]] host [[Steve Price]] urged a "community show of force". [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/alan-jones-i-led-this-charge/2005/12/12/1134236003153.html] [http://smh.com.au/news/correction/correction/2005/12/18/1134840742431.html]

* The text message was repeated on the front page of [[the Sydney Morning Herald]] and the local paper.

* On Saturday [[10 December]], Cronulla beach was unusually deserted despite the summer heat, and under-18 volunteers were relieved from local lifesaver patrols {{ref|sh1}}.

===Beach violence===

Beach-related violence is a phenomenon that has existed since at least the early 1960s, when the fights were between "westies" and "surfies". The book (and later film) ''[[Puberty Blues]]'' describes the violence of the local surfing culture. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/thugs-ruled-the-streets-and-the-mob-sang-waltzing-matilda/2005/12/11/1134235951620.html]

Unlike most Sydney beaches, Cronulla is serviced by a [[Cronulla railway station, Sydney|rail station]], making it a popular destination for beach-goers who live further away.

In April 2005, the NSW Parliament member for Cronulla [[Malcolm Kerr]] spoke to the legislative assembly about law and order problems in that suburb, including a riot in the mall on Australia Day [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hanstrans.nsf/v3ByKey/LA20050407].

==References==

{{reflist}}

*{{note|NEWS2}}{{citenews|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17567226-29277,00.html|title=Police blanket thrown over Sydney|org=News Limited|date=[[December 14]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|SwissInfo1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=6317429&cKey=1134554723000|title=Australian Police prepare for more racial violence|org=SwissInfo|date=[[December 14]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|NEWS1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17570541-2,00.html|title=Church Attacks sparks fears|org=News Limited|date=[[December 15]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|reuters1}}{{citenews|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-12-13T034715Z_01_SPI301866_RTRUKOC_0_US-AUSTRALIA-BEACH.xml|title=

Racial Violence rocks Sydney for a 2nd night|org=Reuters|date=[[December 12]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|cnn1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/12/12/australia.racial.unrest.ap/index.html|title= Rioters smash cars, windows in Sydney|org=CNN|date=[[December 12]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|theage1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/riots-fire-debate-on-racism/2005/12/12/1134236003072.html|title=Riots fire debate on racism|org=The Age|date=[[December 12]] [[2005]]}}

<!-- Badly formatted reference, so commented out: *{{note| Kennedy, L. Night the thin blue line ran into the Maroubra stomp Sydney Morning Herald [[24 December]] [[2002]]}} -->

*{{note|smh3}}{{citenews|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Media-blamed-for-tensions-in-Cronulla/2005/12/11/1134235936217.html|title=Media blamed for tensions in Cronulla|org=Sydney Morning Herald|date=[[December 12]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|parlansw1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hanstrans.nsf/v3ByKey/LC19961204|title=NSW Legislative Council Hansard Full Day Transcript, 513 Kb|org=NSW Parliament|date=[[December 4]] [[1996]]}}

*{{note|smh2}}{{citenews|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/huge-convoy-for-injured-suspect/2005/11/12/1131578274580.html|title=Huge convoy for injured suspect|org=Sydney Morning Herald|date=[[December 11]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|smh1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mob-violence-envelops-cronulla/2005/12/11/1134235936223.html|title=Mob violence envelops Cronulla|org=Sydney Morning Herald|date=[[December 11]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|abc1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528593.htm|title=Mob Mentality shameful: Police Comissioner|org=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[December 11]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|abc2}}{{citenews|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528544.htm|title=Cronulla mob attacks beachgoers|org=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[December 11]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|abc3}}{{citenews|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528611.htm|title=Violence moves to Maroubra: reports|org=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[December 11]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|abc4}}{{citenews|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528619.htm|title=Violence Spread to Third Sydney Suburb|org=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[December 12]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|abc5}}{{citenews|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sydneys-racial-tension-spreads/2005/12/11/1134235950547.html|title=Sydney's Racial Tension Spreads|org=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=[[December 11]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|newsau1}}{{citenews|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17537859-29280,00.html|title=Twelve Charged over Cronulla Melee|org=News.com.au|date=[[December 12]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|dt1}}{{citenews|url=http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17469247-5001022,00.html|title=Fight for Cronulla|org=The Daily Telegraph|date=[[December 6]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|smh4}}{{citenews|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a-no-mans-land-in-our-ethnic-mix/2005/12/12/1134235999884.html|title=A no man's land in our ethnic mix|org=Sydney Morning Herald|date=[[December 13]] [[2005]]}}

*{{note|sh1}}“Sunny, 28 degrees but racial tension keeps crowds away”, ''[[The Sun-Herald]]'', 2005-[[12-11]], page 7

==SeeExternal alsolinks==

*[http://www.theraconteurs.com/ TheRaconteurs.com], Official website ([[Adobe Flash|Flash]] required)

*[[Australian conceptions of race and ethnicity]]

*[http://www.candycanechildren.com/ CandyCaneChildren.com] news, message board, chat room

*[[Crime in Australia]]

*[http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000944462 "White, Benson Make A Racket With Greenhornes"], from Billboard.com

*[[Sydney gang rapes]]

*[http://www.brokenboysoldiers.net/"BrokenBoySoldiers.net"], Raconteurs tablatures and lyrics

*[[Islamophobia]]

*[http://stream.qtv.apple.com/qtv/v2music/steady_ref.mov "Steady as She Goes" video (.MOV)]

*[[Clash of Civilizations]]

*[http://www.avclub.com/content/node/52559 The Onion A.V. Club's interview with The Raconteurs], September 7th, 2006

*[http://www.theraconteursfans.com/ theRaconteursFans.com] - the Raconteurs fan site

* [http://www.videology-tv.com/viewclip.php?id=38#info Music Video for 'Broken Boy Soldier' + interview with director Floria Sigismondi]

* [http://www.albumofthemonth.com/magazineindex.html British music magazine album of the year lists]

*[http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/07/20/weekend-rock-list-best-live-bands-playing-today/ One of Rolling Stones Best Bands to See Live]

*[[List of riots]]

**[[Lambing Flat riots]] (1860-1861)

**[[Sydney Riot of 1879]]

**[[2004 Redfern riots]]

**[[2005 Macquarie Fields riots]]

**[[2005 civil unrest in France]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raconteurs, The}}

==External links==

*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20646 Western Muslims' Racist Rape Spree] Frontpage Magazine, [[27 December]] [[2005]].

*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20535 Muslim Gang Rapes and the Aussie Riots] FrontPage Magzine, [[15 December]] [[2005]].

{{Wikinews|Violence at Cronulla Beach as 5000 people gather}}

*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenhudson/sets/1554165/ Photos of Cronulla unrest].

*[http://www.smh.com.au/ftimages/2005/12/11/1134235939349.html Sydney Morning Herald photo gallery from [[11 December]] [[2005]] riots at Cronulla].

*[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/retaliatory-violence-in-sydneys-south/2005/12/12/1134235956260.html More than fifty carloads of men, believed to be of Middle Eastern appearance, descend on Maroubra beach].

*[http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2005/12/13/181830/80 Sydney Race Riots], from Driptray, posted to [[Kuro5hin]].

*[http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2005/12/002954print.php ''"Is Australia a Racist Country?"'' -Najad Abdul-Aziz].

*[http://au.messages.yahoo.com/news/politics/5310/ Macquarie University Professor Andrew Fraser on the 2005 Sydney race riots].

*[http://www.amirbutler.com/archives/2005/12/14/65 Cronulla Race Riots: What is going on?] Includes video footage of the race riots recorded by a neo-Nazi group that were present.

*[http://www.quadrant.org.au/php/article_view.php?article_id=581 Former Sydney Detective Tim Priest's article in ''Quadrant'' magazine].

*[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2005/12/25/on_the_beach?mode=PF "On the beach: Why the recent riots in Australia should surprise no one" -''Boston Globe'', Ideas Section].

*[http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200512/1537947.htm?sydney Survey names most racist Sydney suburbs].

*[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/25/1135445486548.html?from=top5 After the riots: city's map of racism].

*[http://www.smh.com.au/text/ffximage/2006/01/19/video2001_wideweb__470x344.jpg Pictures of revenge attacks].

*[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17665117%255E1702,00.html Survey maps racist suburbs].

*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/search/tags:cronulla%2Criot/tagmode:all/ Flickr photos tagged ''cronulla'' and ''riot''], photos likey of the 2005 Sydney race riots

*[http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/police-remain-clueless-in-cronulla/2006/01/29/1138469606720.html Paul Sheehan's recent article detailing some of the events that took place].

*[http://stoush.net/liam/101/cronulla-open-ish-thread Comments from Sydney siders about the riots and attitudes].

*[http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=17645&sy=smh&source=undefined&t=2CRMA0&ie=1&player=wm7&rate=5266&flash=1 Video summary of the day].

*[http://media.theage.com.au/?rid=17653&sy=age&source=undefined&t=2CRMA0&player=wm7&rate=5266&flash=1&ie=1 Locals comment about the riot on the following day].

[[Category:2005American inrock Australia|2005music Sydney race riotsgroups]]

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[[Category:History of New South Wales|2005 Sydney race riotsSupergroups]]

[[Category:LawAmerican enforcementindie inrock Australia|2005 Sydney race riotsgroups]]

[[Category:Racism]]

[[Category:Riots in Australia|2005 Sydney race riots]]

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