View source for 2005 Cronulla riots

{{Short description|Civil disturbance in New South Wales, Australia}}
{{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2005 Cronulla riots
| partof = 
| image = Cronulla riots 3 - police.jpg
| caption = NSW Police observing crowds prior to confrontation.
| date = 11–12 December 2005
| place = [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]] (spreading to [[Maroubra, New South Wales|Maroubra]], [[Punchbowl, New South Wales|Punchbowl]], [[Lakemba, New South Wales|Lakemba]], [[Arncliffe, New South Wales|Arncliffe]] and [[Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales|Brighton-Le-Sands]]) in [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|34|03|06|S|151|09|17|E|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| causes = [[Racism]], [[Islamophobia]], [[Anti-arabism]]
| methods = [[Race riot]], [[assault]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/ftimages/2005/12/11/1134235939307.html |title=Mobs rampage in Cronulla|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=11 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051213010629/http://www.smh.com.au/ftimages/2005/12/11/1134235939307.html|archive-date=13 December 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[vandalism]], [[arson]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Baden |first=Samantha|date=14 December 2005 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-guard-churches/2005/12/14/1134500916773.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |title=Police guard churches as tension rises|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=[[Australian Associated Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108085301/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-guard-churches/2005/12/14/1134500916773.html?page=fullpage|archive-date=8 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> violence
| side1 = [[European Australians|White Australian]] residents

'''Including:'''
* {{flag|Australia First Party}}
* {{flagicon image|Lambing Flat riots flag alternate.svg}} [[Australia First Party#Patriotic/Eureka Youth League|Patriotic Youth League]]
* [[Bra Boys]]<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/race-riots-spread-to-suburbs/2005/12/11/1134235951313.html| title = Race riots spread to suburbs| work = The Sydney Morning Herald| location = Australia| author1 = Kennedy, Les| date = 12 December 2005| accessdate = 22 June 2025}}</ref>
| side2 = [[Middle Eastern Australians|Middle Eastern Australian]] residents (primarily [[Lebanese Australian|Lebanese]] [[Arab Australian|Arabs]])
| side3 = [[New South Wales Police Force|New South Wales Police]]

'''Supported by:'''
* {{flagdeco|New South Wales}} [[Government of New South Wales|New South Wales Government]]
| result = Riots quelled
| leadfigures1 = 
| leadfigures2 = 
| howmany1 = 
| howmany2 = 
| casualties1 = 
| casualties2 = 
| fatalities =
| injuries = 
| arrests = 104 (285 charges laid)
| detentions = 
| charged = 
| fined = 
| casualties_label = 
| notes = 
}}
{{Far-right politics in Australia}}
{{Islamophobia|Specific incidents}}
The '''2005 Cronulla riots''' were a series of [[Racial violence in Australia|race riots]] in [[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia. It began in the beachside suburb of [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla]] on 11 December, and spread over to additional suburbs the next few nights.

The riots were triggered by an event the previous Sunday, when an altercation turned physical between a group of youths of [[Middle East]]ern appearance and [[lifeguard]]s on Cronulla beach. Following the reporting of this event by the [[Tabloid journalism|tabloid media]] and [[shock jock]]s on local radio, a racially motivated gathering was organised via [[chain letter|chain]] [[texting]] for the following weekend.

A crowd gathered at Cronulla on the morning of Sunday, 11 December, and, by midday, approximately 5,000 people had gathered near the beach. The gathering turned violent and the police attempted to protect individuals of ethnic minority groups who were attacked by the rioters. Violence spread to other southern suburbs of Sydney, where assaults occurred, including two stabbings and attacks on ambulances and police officers. [[Travel warning]]s for Australia were issued by some countries but were later removed.

The riots were widely condemned by local, state, and federal members of parliament, police, local community leaders, and residents of Cronulla and adjacent areas. An abnormally large number of arrests were made over the subsequent months thanks to a giant police effort, from both the initial riot on 11 December and the retaliations over the subsequent nights. Some media were criticised and well-known [[radio personality]] [[Alan Jones (broadcaster)|Alan Jones]] was formally censured and fined for his inflammatory broadcasts during that week.

==Chronology==

===Background===
[[New South Wales Police]] had been recording [[Racism in Australia|racial]] and [[ethnic tension]]s and incidents in and around Cronulla since October 2005.<ref name=pmr2>{{cite report |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla2.pdf |title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots: Review of the Police Response – Media Component |volume=2 |location=Sydney |publisher=New South Wales Police |year=2006 |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224123233/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> There is also a history of conflict between Cronulla locals and visiting beachgoers from the [[Western suburbs of Sydney|western suburbs]] ("[[Westie (person)|Westies]]") with "bashings" ([[Assault|physical assault]]) common since the 1960s as part of a [[Gang#Gang violence|turf war]] between Westies and local surfers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Jock |year=2009 |chapter=Sydney's Cronulla Riots: The Context and Implications |editor-last=Noble |editor-first=Gregory |title=Lines in the Sand: The Cronulla Riots, Multiculturalism and National Belonging |location=Sydney |publisher=Institute of Criminology Press|pages=27–43 |s2cid=160617360 |isbn=978-0-9751967-8-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Shaw |first=Wendy S. |year=2009 |chapter=Riotous Sydney Take Three (Cronulla): Confessions of a Beach Survivor |editor-last=Noble |editor-first=Gregory |title=Lines in the Sand: The Cronulla Riots, Multiculturalism and National Belonging |location=Sydney |publisher=Institute of Criminology Press |pages=58–71 |isbn=978-0-9751967-8-6}}</ref> There remains a great deal of debate as to whether previous racially charged attacks in the area like the [[Sydney gang rapes]] contributed to the tensions, or if the subsequent trials were used as justification for the attacks, despite many reporting otherwise.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hussein |first=Shakira|date=2016-02-26 |title=Paul Sheehan's Long, Uncomfortable History With Race Reporting |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2016/02/26/paul-sheehans-long-uncomfortable-history-with-race-reporting/ |work=Crikey |access-date=2022-04-03}}</ref> The previous summer on [[Australia Day]] (26 January 2005), a non-racial riot occurred with around 2,000 to 3,000 young people in the Cronulla area engaged in "civil disobedience", at one stage hurling [[Projectile|missile]]s at police attempting to control the crowd.<ref name=pmr2/>

===4 December 2005===
Just after 15:00 on Sunday, 4 December 2005, police were called to [[North Cronulla Beach]] following a report of an assault on two off-duty [[Surf lifesaving|surf lifesaver]]s by four members of a group of eight men.<ref name=pmr2/><ref name=pmr3>{{cite report|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113040146/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2012|title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots: Review of the Police Response – Media Component |volume=3 |location=Sydney |publisher=New South Wales Police |year=2006 |access-date=24 December 2009|pages=7–20}}</ref> A verbal exchange had taken place after three lifesavers approached a group of four young Australian men with a Lebanese background on [[Cronulla Beach]], with both groups accusing the other of staring at them. One of the Australian Lebanese men reportedly responded to the accusations, "I'm allowed to; now fuck off and leave our beach", to which a lifesaver responded, "I come down here out of my own spare time to save you [[cunt]]s from drowning".<ref name=hazard>{{cite report |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla1.pdf|title=Strike Force Neil, Cronulla Riots: Review of the Police Response – Media Component |volume=1 |location=Sydney |publisher=New South Wales Police |year=2006|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110235157/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/ep38cronulla1.pdf|archive-date=10 November 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The verbal exchange escalated with one Australian Lebanese youth attempting to defuse the situation. Another then threw a punch, missing, prompting a pushing match that escalated into a fight. One of the lifesavers was badly hurt after falling and striking his head.<ref name=pmr2/> One of the lifesavers later informed police that the four were part of a group of eight Australian Lebanese that had been on the beach most of the day and that there had been no problems with their prior behaviour. Despite media reports to the contrary, no Middle Eastern men converged on the area and there were no more than the original eight present.<ref name=hazard/><ref name=review>{{cite report|last=Barbour|first=Bruce |url=https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/3413/RR_Emerency-powers-to-prevent-or-control-disorder.pdf|title=Review of Emergency Powers to Prevent or Control Disorder|location=Sydney |publisher=New South Wales Ombudsman|date=September 2007|isbn=978-1-921131-76-9|access-date=22 January 2009}}</ref>

===Media reporting===
{{rquote|right|What kind of [[larva|grubs]]? Well I'll tell you what kind of grubs this lot were. This lot were Middle Eastern grubs.|[[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]], 5 December 2005, on [[2GB]] radio<ref>{{cite episode|title=Front Page – Jones and Cronulla|series=Media Watch|series-link=Media Watch (TV program)|network=[[ABC1]]|airdate=20 February 2006|transcript=Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1574155.htm|season=2006|number=2}}</ref>}}

One media report stated that there was already tension between the community and Australian Lebanese youths before this event and people, particularly women, claimed to have been harassed, almost daily, by "groups of young Lebanese men" attempting to "pick them up" and describing the women as being "Aussie [[slut]]s".<ref name=clueless/>

The events were reported widely across the [[media in Sydney|Sydney media]], particularly [[tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]]; also generating discussions on [[Talk radio#In Australia|talkback radio]].<ref name=AJled>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/oneway-radio-plays-by-its-own-rules/2005/12/12/1134236005956.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Alan Jones: I'm the person that's led this charge|first=David|last=Marr|author-link=David Marr (journalist)|work=[[The Age]]|date=13 December 2005|access-date=2 December 2009}}</ref> When a listener identified as "Berta" commented to shock jock [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] of Sydney's [[2GB]] Radio that she had heard "really derogatory remarks" aimed at Middle Eastern people, Jones interrupted stating "We don't have [[Anglo-Saxon]] kids out there [[Sydney gang rapes|raping women in Western Sydney]]".<ref name=AJled/> Jones also broadcast and endorsed one listener's suggestion that [[outlaw motorcycle club|bikie gangs]] be brought down to [[Cronulla railway station]] to deal with "Lebanese thugs" and that the event be televised, arguing that despite their notoriety bikie gangs do "a lot of good things". By Thursday, Jones had stirred significant discussion, and stated "I'm the person that's led this charge here. Nobody wanted to know about [[North Cronulla]], now it's gathered to this."<ref name=jonesrapped>{{cite report|title=Investigation Report No. 1485|publisher=Australian Communications and Media Authority|url=http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib101068/2gb%20-%20report%201485.pdf|access-date=3 October 2012|pages=15–16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403194704/http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib101068/2gb%20-%20report%201485.pdf|archive-date=3 April 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

After the riots, Jones was found to have breached the [[Australian Communications and Media Authority]] (ACMA) [[Wikt:code of conduct|Code of Conduct]] section 1.3(a), as his comments were "likely to encourage violence or brutality and to vilify people of Lebanese and Middle-Eastern backgrounds on the basis of ethnicity".<ref name="jonesrapped" /> In December 2009, the [[New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal|NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal]] found Jones and radio station 2GB guilty of vilifying Lebanese Muslims in earlier "Cronulla Riot" broadcasts. A fine of $10,000 was imposed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/alan-jones-guilty-vilifying-muslims|title=Alan Jones guilty of vilifying Muslims|website=RadioInfo|date=22 December 2009|access-date=1 December 2021 |author1=Iamadmin }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-02/tribunal-rules-alan-jones-incited-hatred/4292052|title=Tribunal rules Alan Jones incited hatred|date=2012-10-02|work=ABC News|agency=Australian Associated Press|access-date=2018-12-18}}</ref>

Police were concerned about the repercussions of these events. Later investigations revealed that over 270,000 individual [[SMS]] [[text message]]s were transmitted inciting a racially motivated confrontation at North Cronulla Beach the following Saturday.<ref name=pmr2/>

===11 December 2005===
Over the course of Sunday, 11 December 2005, approximately 5,000 people gathered in and around North Cronulla Beach. Early in the morning, people began to gather and impromptu barbecues and "partying" took place.<ref name="4corners">{{cite episode|title=Riot and Revenge|date=13 March 2006|last=Jackson|first=Liz |author-link=Liz Jackson |transcript=Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2006/s1590953.htm|url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2006/s1590953.htm|series=Four Corners|series-link=Four Corners (Australian TV program)|network=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|season=2006|access-date=25 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102055516/http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2006/s1588360.htm|archive-date=2 January 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=mobvio>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mob-violence-envelops-cronulla/2005/12/11/1134235936223.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Mob violence envelops Cronulla|date=11 December 2005|access-date=2 December 2009|agency=Australian Associated Press|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref name=cronullamob>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528544.htm|title=Cronulla mob attacks beachgoers|date=11 December 2005|access-date=2 December 2009|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News Online]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091018023914/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528544.htm| archive-date= 18 October 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> However at 12:59, a young man of "Middle Eastern appearance" was spotted on the beach and the crowds began "chanting stuff [and] yelling out things" before rushing him. The man attempted to avoid the crowd by quickly entering "Northies", a local pub, but the crowd forcibly dragged him out and attacked him. The police, having been in Cronulla since the early morning (including [[police helicopter]]s and [[patrol boat]]s), quickly intervened and resolved the situation.<ref name=4corners/><ref name=pmr2/><ref name=mobvio/><ref name=cronullamob/> A [[Cronulla High School]] teacher later claimed that the crowd had attacked the man after he had shouted "I'm going to blow youse all up".<ref name=clueless>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/police-remain-clueless-in-cronulla/2006/01/29/1138469606720.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=A hot, wet trail – yet police remain clueless in Cronulla|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 January 2006|access-date=2 December 2009|first=Paul|last=Sheehan}}</ref>

At 13:30, two women verbally argued with a small group; the police arrived and both parties left. However, an hour later, they again met and a scuffle ensued. At 13:45, another two boys from [[Bangladesh]]<ref name=4corners/> were surrounded by the crowd, and had bottles thrown at them, with the crowd repeatedly chanting "Fuck off Lebs!". The two boys escaped by car, which were smashed, stomped on and pelted with objects along the way.<ref name=pmr2/> Chants and slogans such as "Fuck off Lebs!", "We grew here, you flew here", "Aussie Pride", "Fuck off [[wog]]s!", were repeated and displayed throughout the day by the crowd. The crowd also attacked the police by throwing [[beer bottle]]s. Police vehicles were also prevented from entering the area.<ref name=different>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/these-days-its-harder-to-be-different/2006/12/06/1165081019992.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=These days it's harder to be different|date=7 December 2006|access-date=2 December 2009|first=Hsu-Ming|last=Teo|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref name=mobvio/> Around 14:00 another three males were assaulted on the beach with the crowd throwing sausages and beer bottles at them.<ref name=pmr2/>

Rumours had persisted throughout the day that an additional 600 people would arrive by train, mostly from the west of Cronulla, to join the crowds. At approximately 15:00, "two young men of Middle Eastern appearance" arrived at Cronulla train station with the crowd outside chanting "Fuck off wogs!". The two men (one of whom was a [[Afghans in Russia|Russian-born Afghan]]) took refuge in the train. However, the mob entered the carriage and began assaulting them; a police officer entered the train and forcibly cleared the crowd, later being found to have used [[excessive force]].<ref name=4corners/><ref name=pmr2/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Schafter|first=Monique |date=11 December 2018|url=https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-11/cronulla-riots-craig-campbell-still-paying-the-price/10605460|title=Cronulla riot 'hero' Craig Campbell still paying the price 13 years on|work=ABC News|access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>

At 15:20, two separate assaults took place; one involved a crowd attacking a man of "Middle Eastern appearance" and throwing beer bottles.<ref name=pmr2/> In this case an officer intervened and removed the victim as they were both struck by the bottles. A second assault took place outside a [[takeaway]] restaurant; three men were taken inside the restaurant as refuge and the diners already inside were moved towards the back. The glass doors and windows were broken and those inside were moved outside without incident.<ref name=pmr2/>

===Injuries and arrests===
By the end of the day, 26 people had been treated for injuries.<ref name=4corners/><ref name=mobvio/> The 15:20 assault required the victim and the police officer to receive hospital treatment.<ref name=pmr2/> A total of 16 were arrested and charged with 42 offences including: malicious damage, assaulting a police officer, [[affray]], offensive conduct, [[resisting arrest]] and numerous [[dangerous driving|driving offence]]s.<ref name=pmr3/><ref name=mobvio/> One police officer was hit by a car and two [[ambulance officer]]s were also amongst the injured as their ambulance, under [[mounted police]] escort, was surrounded and beer bottles were thrown, with one of the ambulance officers being hit on the head by a bottle and the other receiving [[laceration]]s on the arm.<ref name=pmr2/><ref name=pmr3/>
[[File:Cronulla riots 2 -- no lebs.jpg|right|thumb|Crowd with mounted police and ambulance in background. Near North Cronulla Beach First Aid room]] <!-- The first Aid room in in the kiosk behind the mounted police -->

===Evening retaliation===
At 19:45, around 100 locals of [[Punchbowl, New South Wales|Punchbowl]] (a suburb {{convert|20|km|disp=sqbr}} to Cronulla's northwest) gathered together at the local Punchbowl Park.<ref name=4corners/><ref name=pmr2/> Additional groups, armed with [[baseball bat]]s, also gathered at The Promenade and Arncliffe Park.<ref name=pmr2/> Between 20:30 and 21:00, the groups formed a convoy of "more than 40 cars" and drove down to the beaches "to get revenge" with many of the cars ending up in [[Maroubra, New South Wales|Maroubra]].<ref name=4corners/> At 22:45, police were ordered "not to approach convoys of men of Middle Eastern appearance"; however car details and [[vehicle registration plate|registration]] details were to be recorded.<ref name=riotorder>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/riot-order-avoid-middle-eastern-men/2006/02/03/1138958911068.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Riot order: avoid Middle Eastern men|first=Andrew|last=Clennell|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 February 2006|access-date=5 December 2009}}</ref>

A local of Maroubra reported that each of the cars that arrived was "full, you know, had four passengers". The convoy was reportedly armed with bars and bats, knives, [[machete]]s and [[gun]]s.<ref name=4corners/><ref name=armedgang>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/armed-gangs-on-rampage/2005/12/12/1134236005902.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Armed gangs on rampage|date=13 December 2005|access-date=15 December 2009|first1=Malcolm|last1=Brown|author-link1=Malcolm Brown (journalist) |first2=Les|last2=Kennedy|first3=Jared|last3=Wormald|first4=Robert|last4=Wainwright|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref name=retalvio>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/retalitory-violence-in-sydneys-south/2005/12/12/1134235956260.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Retaliatory violence in Sydney's south|date=12 December 2005|work=The Age |agency=Australian Associated Press |access-date=25 December 2009}}</ref> The group assaulted several people, knocking one unconscious and threatening another with rape, and damaged between 60 and 100 cars, setting at least one on fire in Arden Street, Coogee.<ref name=4corners/><ref name=armedgang/><ref name=retalvio/> [[Riot police|Police in riot gear]] moved to contain the violence and the crowds responded by throwing bricks and glass.<ref name=retalvio/><ref name=viospread>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528619.htm|title=Violence spreads to third Sydney suburb|work=ABC News Online|date=12 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091110133251/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528619.htm| archive-date= 10 November 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Residents reported that in some streets "every car" had had their windows smashed, with glass covering the streets.<ref name=tension>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sydneys-racial-tension-spreads/2005/12/11/1134235950547.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Sydney's racial tension spreads|date=11 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref> Police also confiscated 40 iron bars and arrested 14 people.<ref name=majorpolice>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1529504.htm|title=Major police presence at Lakemba Mosque|date=12 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009|work=ABC News Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113160919/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1529504.htm|archive-date=13 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At approximately 22:25, a 26-year-old [[mechanic]] referred to as "Dan" was stabbed in the back three times and twice in the thigh with a {{cvt|9.8|cm|adj=on}} blade.<ref name=retalvio/><ref name=knifearrest>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/painstaking-police-work-leads-to-arrest-over-cronulla-knife-attack/2006/06/29/1151174333905.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Painstaking police work leads to arrest over Cronulla knife attack|first=Les|last=Kennedy|date=30 June 2006|access-date=7 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref name=knifesnap>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/i-felt-knife-snapped-off-in-my-back/2006/05/26/1148524865657.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=I felt knife snapped off in my back|first=David|last=Braithwaite|date=26 May 2006|access-date=7 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> The incident occurred outside [[Woolooware]] golf club when two cars carrying a group of males "described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance" approached the man and his friends. Dan and his friends attempted to flee from the group, who were shouting "Get the Aussie dogs... get the Aussie sluts". Dan was knocked to the ground and was repeatedly kicked in the head. The attack ended when the knife snapped off in the victim's back.<ref name=knifearrest/><ref name=knifesnap/> He was taken to hospital in a serious condition as the blade had narrowly missed his spine and lungs.<ref name=retalvio/><ref name=viospread/><ref name=knifesnap/> The [[Crime scene getaway|getaway]] driver for the attack was arrested and held in jail for 9 months, after which he was [[parole]]d 5 months later for good behaviour.<ref name="CRON1">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Les |title=Cronulla stabbing driver jailed but freed |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/cronulla-stabbing-driver-jailed-but-freed-20070412-gdpw9y.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=27 July 2018 |date=12 April 2007}}</ref>

A man named Jake Schofield was attacked by a group of four men of "Middle Eastern appearance", who beat him repeatedly, stabbing him twice and hitting him with a piece of concrete before stealing his wallet and keys. The attack left him with a [[orbital blowout fracture|fractured eye socket]] and [[nasal fracture|nose]].<ref name=riottext>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/man-in-court-over-race-riot-texts/2006/01/27/1138319423216.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Man in court over race riot texts|date=27 January 2006|access-date=8 December 2009|work=The Age|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref> All four assailants were arrested and charged.<ref name="riottext" />

A woman wearing a [[headscarf]] had her car stopped by a group of white males and was then abused and threatened by this group.<ref name=pmr2/>

==Aftermath==
Additional smaller riots occurred on the following nights in the suburbs of Maroubra, [[Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales|Brighton-le-Sands]] and Cronulla.<ref name=guardchurch/> Text messages similar to the earlier 270,000 inciting racial violence had also turned up in other states including [[Queensland]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and [[Western Australia]].<ref name=guardchurch>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-guard-churches/2005/12/14/1134500916773.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Police Guard churches as tension rises|date=15 December 2005|access-date=16 December 2009|first=Samantha|last=Baden|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>

On 12 December, rioters had written various messages including; "Aussi{{sic}} to Die", "[[Wikt:intifada|Intifada]]", "It's war", "Sunday cowards die, Soldiers rize{{sic|nolink=y}}", "Never rest assie{{sic|nolink=y}} dog", "We came in planes yous came by chains u convict dogs", and "We fear no ozy{{sic|nolink=y}} pigs" before continuing to destroy cars and local shops.<ref name=freshvio>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/riots-fire-debate-on-racism/2005/12/12/1134236003072.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Fresh violence rocks Sydney|date=13 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009|first1=Malcolm|last1=Brown|first2=Dan|last2=Silkstone|first3=Brendan|last3=Nicholson|work=The Age}}</ref> Approximately 2000 people gathered inside [[Lakemba Mosque]] with another 800 gathered outside the evening after the riot.<ref name=hothead>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/message-of-peace-not-enough-for-hotheads/2005/12/13/1134236064351.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Message of peace not enough for hotheads|date=14 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009|first=Russell|last=Skelton|work=The Age}}</ref> [[Sheikh]] [[Shady Alsuleiman]] spoke to the crowd and called for calm.<ref name=hothead/> However some were armed with [[Glock]] pistols which were displayed to the media.<ref name=armedgang/> At least some of the people gathered were reported to have planned to go on to Maroubra;<ref name=freshvio/> however the police blocked roads leading into Maroubra and 20 police cars surrounded the mosque.<ref name=freshvio/> The [[Uniting Church]] in [[Auburn, New South Wales|Auburn]],<ref name=guardchurch/> a predominantly [[Tonga]]n congregation,<ref name=guardchurch/> was burned and those attending [[Christmas carol]]s were abused and threatened.<ref name=guardchurch/> More than 30 [[Molotov cocktail]]s were also confiscated by police.<ref name=pmr3/>

Eight hundred police officers formed Operation Seta and were on patrol on the following nights, with up to 450 police officers blockading Cronulla on the night of 13 December<ref name=bashed/> and an additional 11 people were arrested; five were arrested in relation to a replica pistol and six were arrested for property damage.<ref name=pmr3/><ref name=bashed>{{cite news|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=76953|title=Man bashed as police hit Sydney streets|date=14 December 2005|access-date=2 December 2009|work=ninemsn|agency=Australian Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606101919/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=76953|archive-date=6 June 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=policepower>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/general/police-get-the-power/2005/12/15/1134500952647.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Police get the power|date=15 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108085307/http://www.smh.com.au/news/general/police-get-the-power/2005/12/15/1134500952647.html?page=fullpage|archive-date=8 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> An additional seven people were injured including another police officer.<ref name=pmr3/> A husband and wife were taken to hospital after the wife was struck in the head and the husband tried to defend her, and another man was struck by a baseball bat and suffered a fractured forearm.<ref name=pmr3/>

==Groups involved in the riots==
The far-right political party known as the [[Australia First Party]] claimed that 120 members and supporters attended the riots, and both members of the AFP and their youth wing, the Patriotic Youth League, were seen handing out [[anti-immigration]] leaflets and supplying alcohol there.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Richard|title=Australia First: reclaiming the agenda|work=The Age|date=14 December 2005| page=11| url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-first-reclaiming-the-agenda-20051214-ge1f9m.html |access-date=4 April 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060203111009/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/australia-first-reclaiming-the-agenda/2005/12/13/1134236064358.html| archive-date= 3 February 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> The now defunct Patriotic Youth League also played a part by distributing [[white power]] leaflets in the days prior to the riots, and held banners saying "Aussies fighting back" during the riots.<ref name=white2015>{{cite news |last=White |first=Alex |title=The pro-white gangs spreading race hate across Australia |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/the-prowhite-gangs-spreading-race-hate-across-australia/news-story/7384aef1faabe901d9f6937756a76ea8 |work=[[Herald Sun]] |date=7 October 2014|access-date=4 April 2021}}</ref>

==Criminal prosecutions==
By 19 July 2006, police had laid 285 charges against 104 people, 51 having been arrested as a result of the original Cronulla riot and 53 arrested from the retaliation riots.<ref name=question/><ref name=tough>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-tough-on-both-sides-of-cronulla-riots/2006/07/18/1153166381976.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Police tough on both sides of Cronulla riots|first=Andrew|last=Clennell|date=19 July 2006|access-date=16 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> These persons were charged with, amongst other things: malicious damage, possession or use of a prohibited weapon, assaulting police, rioting, resisting arrest, threatening violence and affray.<ref name=tough/><ref name=policealert/>
* Ali Osman, 18, was charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the original attacks he committed on 4 December 2005 against the volunteer lifesavers and was given 300 hours of [[community service]] for the assault and 200 hours for affray, though they would be served concurrently.<ref name=300hours>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/cronulla-rioter-gets-300-hours/story-e6freuzi-1111112287392|title=Cronulla rioter gets 300 hours|first=Angela|last=Kamper|date=29 September 2006|access-date=17 December 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|location=Sydney|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006235338/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/cronulla-rioter-gets-300-hours/story-e6freuzi-1111112287392|archive-date=6 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=avoidjail>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Teen-avoids-jail-over-Cronulla-assault/2006/09/29/1159337327395.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Teen avoids jail over Cronulla assault|date=29 September 2006|access-date=17 December 2009|work=The Age |agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref><ref name=betray>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/riot-spark-betrays-migrants/2006/09/29/1159337320025.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Riot spark 'betrays migrants'|first=Geesche|last=Jacobsen|date=29 September 2006|access-date=18 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Osman was the only person charged over the initial confrontation. Magistrate Jacqueline Trad (herself of [[Lebanese Australians|Lebanese descent]]) told Sutherland Local Court that Osman had turned his back on his real country: "By this sort of conduct you turned your back on your family, your culture and your real country, all for the sake of some juvenile, impulsive and misplaced allegiance.... Over the last 100 years or so, the ancestors of many citizens – mine included – came to this country seeking refuge from hatred, intolerance, violence or just simply the opportunity to improve their families' prospects."<ref name=safehaven>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/cronulla-fighter-betrayed-our-safe-haven-magistrate/2006/09/29/1159337342874.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Cronulla fighter betrayed our safe haven: magistrate|first=Geesche|last=Jacobsen|date=30 September 2006|access-date=18 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
* Yahya Jamal Serhan was arrested over the stabbing of "Dan" on 12 December and charged with [[affray]] and maliciously inflicting [[grievous bodily harm]] and was sentenced to 13 months jail but was immediately released after having already spent nine months in custody awaiting trial.<ref name=knifearrest/><ref name=walksfree>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Man-walks-free-in-riot-reprisal-case/2007/04/12/1175971231737.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Man walks free in riot reprisal case|agency=Australian Associated Press|work=The Age|date=12 April 2007|access-date=18 December 2009}}</ref> Dan was angered and disappointed by the sentence, saying "I've got no feeling on the left hand side of my back where the knife broke off."<ref name=walksfree/> A second person, a 17-year-old, was also questioned by police.<ref name=question>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/Teen-questioned-over-Cronulla-reprisals/2006/07/13/1152637789957.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Teen questioned over Cronulla reprisals|date=13 July 2006|access-date=7 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>
* Marcus Kapitza, 28, was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to one charge of riot. On the day of the riot Kapitza wore a [[Sleeveless shirt|singlet]] with the words "[[Muhammad|Mohammed]] was a camel-raping [[faggot (slang)|faggot]]". He was also involved in the attack at the Cronulla train station shouting "Fuck off! Fuck off the Lebs".<ref name=riotthug>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/cronulla-riot-thug-locked-away/story-e6freuzi-1111112408690|title=Cronulla riot thug locked away|first=Angela|last=Kamper|date=24 October 2006|access-date=18 December 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006235356/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/cronulla-riot-thug-locked-away/story-e6freuzi-1111112408690|archive-date=6 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Brent Lohman, 19, was also charged over the Cronulla train station assault, and was sentenced to 11 months in jail.<ref name=teenagersentenced>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-15/teenager-sentenced-to-jail-for-role-in-cronulla/2217590|title=Teenager sentenced to jail for role in Cronulla riots|work=ABC News Online|date=15 March 2007|access-date=3 June 2019}}</ref>
* Two of the youths who attacked Jake Schofield turned themselves in to police and were charged with armed robbery, wounding, malicious wounding with intent, affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.<ref name=riottext/> Two others, Wael Tahan and Mahmoud Eid, had been arrested on the night of the attack but were released without charge before being rearrested and charged with robbery in company, malicious wounding causing grievous bodily harm and affray.<ref name=stupid>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/NATIONAL/Actions-more-than-stupid-magistrate/2006/01/24/1137864895486.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Actions more than stupid: magistrate|date=24 January 2006|access-date=9 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>
* Brett Andrew King appeared in court in January 2006 charged with sending two text messages 42 times for a retaliatory riot on 18 December 2005.<ref name="riottext" />
* Jeffrey Ismail was also charged with sending two text messages under the [[pseudonym]] of [[John Gotti]].<ref name="SMScourt">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/man-in-court-over-cronulla-revenge-sms/2006/12/06/1165081008241.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Man in court over Cronulla revenge SMS|first=Les|last=Kennedy|date=6 December 2006|access-date=15 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
* A 16-year-old Lebanese immigrant, Ali Ammar, was arrested and jailed for seven months for stealing and burning an [[Australian flag]] from the Brighton-le-Sands [[Returned and Services League of Australia]] (RSL) club. Following his release, Ammar appeared on television to present an official apology and in 2007 he was sponsored by the RSL to walk the [[Kokoda Track]] after the State President of the New South Wales RSL met him at a Reconciliation Conference.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Cronulla to Kokoda |series=[[Compass (TV program)|Compass]] |airdate=8 July 2007|transcript=Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s1973902.htm}}</ref>

===Strike Force Enoggera===
Strike Force Enoggera was established on 13 December 2005, tasked with investigating the riots.<ref name=pmr3/><ref name=question/><ref name=Enoggera>{{cite report|url=http://www.smh.com.au/pdf/cronullareport.pdf|title=Strike Force Enoggera – A Review of Managerial Policies, Practices and Procedures|date=24 October 2006|access-date=9 December 2009 | via=smh.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822120651/http://www.smh.com.au/pdf/cronullareport.pdf |archive-date=22 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The strike force initially consisted of 28 members under the command of [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]] Dennis Bray, but was increased to 100 officers on 20 January 2006. During a radio interview, [[List of commissioners of the New South Wales Police|New South Wales Police Commissioner]] [[Ken Moroney]] claimed to have no video footage of the retaliatory attacks on 11 December; however it was later revealed that the police had had a video for five weeks, leading Moroney to sack Bray,<ref name=sacking>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-01-21/nsw-sacking-sparks-police-disgust/782638|title=NSW sacking sparks police disgust|work=ABC News Online|date=20 January 2006|access-date=9 December 2009}}</ref> who was later reinstated to a lesser role, having been replaced by [[Australian police ranks|Detective Superintendent]] Ken Mckay.<ref name=reinstated>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sacked-strike-force-chief-reinstated/2006/01/23/1137864846168.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Sacked strike force chief reinstated|date=21 January 2006|access-date=9 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>

==Responses==
===Media and community responses===
{{rquote|right|We knew always there was racism, but we never knew it was to this extent. I mean, all your life you've been – you've been raised to be Australian. I mean, you carry the Australian flag. When you go to sports events and all that, you're happy to be Australian and all that. And all of sudden people reject you. "Go home!" They shout your names. Like, "Go home, you Middle Eastern Lebs," or whatever. "Go home." I mean, that's a shock to us. "Go home." I mean, like, you get cut inside your heart, you know. Like you feel like you're not part of society no more.|Eiad Diyab, a local of [[Punchbowl, New South Wales|Punchbowl]], talking to ''[[Four Corners (Australian TV program)|Four Corners]]''<ref name=4corners/>}}

[[Brian Wilshire]], a 2GB radio host, stated the following weekend on air, "Many of them have parents who are [[first cousin]]s whose parents are first cousins, the result of this inbreeding — the result of which is uneducationable{{sic}} people... and very low [[intelligence quotient|IQ]]", comments for which he later apologised.<ref name=whatriot/>

An [[anti-racism]] rally, attended by 2,000 people, was held in [[Bourke Street]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].<ref name=whatriot/> Apologies for the riots at Cronulla were later issued on behalf of some local surf clubs, saying their members rejected racism and violence. The gathering was justified as a protest against "ethnic gangs" with blame for the rioting and violence largely placed on alcohol and the agitation of far-right groups.<ref>{{cite news|last=Silkstone |first=Dan |date=15 December 2005 |title=Opposing Sides Come Together to Apologise and Shake on it |work=The Age}}</ref> During a press conference along with the [[Comanchero Motorcycle Club|Comanchero MC]] (which has a large number of Middle Eastern members), an apology from the Maroubra "[[Bra Boys]]" was also issued to leaders of the Islamic community. Apologies from several others involved were also issued to Sydney's Lebanese community, though the earlier "protest" part of the day was still defended.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ong|first=Tracy |date=15 December 2005 |url=<!--http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17572550%255E2702,00.html-->|title='Ashamed' protest leaders sorry for riot |work=[[The Australian]]|via=[[NewsBank]]}}</ref>

Writing a year after the riots, novelist Hsu-Ming Teo of [[Macquarie University]] was worried that [[multiculturalism in Australia|Australian multiculturalism]] was being eroded,<ref name=different/> stating that multiculturalism was one of Australia's defining features that allowed it to broker differences with its geographical neighbours, and that it was almost unique in its ethnic and cultural origins. She suggested that in recent years multiculturalism had begun to be derided with [[conservatism|conservative politicians]] calling for [[monoculturalism|one homogeneous, non-diverse culture]], citing amongst others the "popularity and success" of [[Pauline Hanson]] and her [[One Nation Party]].<ref name=different/>

In 2008, Australian portrait photographer [[Michel Lawrence]] published ''All of Us'', a book containing photographs of people born in 200 other countries, but who were now living in Australia.<ref name="Rubbo">{{Cite magazine |last=Rubbo |first=Mark |date=February 2008 |url=http://www.readings.com.au/system/uploads/assets/0000/0901/Readings_Monthly__Feb_08.pdf |title=All of Us: Michel Lawrence |access-date=24 January 2016 |magazine=Readings Monthly |page=19 |archive-date=12 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112201224/http://www.readings.com.au/system/uploads/assets/0000/0901/Readings_Monthly__Feb_08.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lawrence said the ''All of Us'' project was wholly inspired by the Cronulla riots.<ref name="Rubbo" /><ref name="PhotoReview">{{Cite web|url = http://www.photoreview.com.au/stories/profiles/michel-lawrence-all-for-one|title = Michel Lawrence: All for one|access-date = 24 January 2016 |website=Photo Review| date=17 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88:the-middle-east&catid=32&Itemid=90|title = The Middle East|access-date = 24 January 2016|publisher = Victorian Multicultural Commission|last = Beanland|first = Glenn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130085655/http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88:the-middle-east&catid=32&Itemid=90|archive-date=30 January 2016}}</ref> "You watch this stuff on TV and you wonder why people are doing this – this is no way for a multicultural society to behave", said Lawrence.<ref name="PhotoReview" />

===Government responses===
The [[Government of New South Wales|New South Wales parliament]] convened on 15 December to pass laws giving police new powers<ref name=guardchurch/><ref name=stopriot>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/gang-peace-deal-appeal/2005/12/13/1134236033030.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Emergency powers to stop riots|date=13 December 2005|access-date=15 December 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref> including: the ability to seize cars and mobile phones for up to seven days, close licensed premises and prohibit bringing alcohol into lockdown zones.<ref name=policepower/><ref name=stopriot/> A new offence of "assault during a public disorder" was also introduced and both rioting and affray had their minimum sentences increased.<ref name=policepower/><ref name=stopriot/> New South Wales Premier [[Morris Iemma]] called the attacks "disgusting, cowardly behaviour"<ref name=disgusting>{{cite episode|title=Sydney riots 'disgusting, cowardly', says Iemma|series=[[The 7.30 Report]]|credits=Bowden, Tracy (Reporter)|network=[[ABC1]] |airdate=12 December 2005 |transcript=Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1529511.htm}}</ref> and condemned the rioters. He also called on the community leaders to use "their influence to get the hot heads to cool it".<ref name=disgusting/>

New South Wales Police Commissioner [[Ken Moroney]] called the riots "absolutely totally un-Australian",<ref name=mobvio/><ref name=cronullamob/><ref name=mobment>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528593.htm|title=Mob mentality shameful: Police Commissioner|date=11 December 2005|access-date=2 December 2009|work=ABC News Online| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091212174419/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1528593.htm| archive-date= 12 December 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> saying that "I saw, in my 40 years of police service, some of the most disgraceful behaviour and conduct by adults that I'd ever seen."<ref name=restore>{{cite episode|title=Police powers will restore Sydney order: Moroney|series=The 7.30 Report|credits=Bowden, Tracy (Reporter)|network=ABC1|airdate=13 December 2005|transcript=Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1530304.htm}}</ref> [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|New South Wales Opposition leader]] [[Peter Debnam]] called it "a real disgrace" and called for a tougher police response.<ref name=mobvio/> [[Australian Prime Minister]] [[John Howard]] condemned the violence describing it as "sickening and deplorable"<ref name=policealert>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1529329.htm|title=Police on alert after Sydney race riot|work=ABC News Online|date=12 December 2005|access-date=5 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091109113130/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1529329.htm| archive-date= 9 November 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> but denied any racial undertones, saying the events were primarily an issue of law and order<ref name=policealert/><ref name=stopriot/> — a view echoed by the Treasurer [[Peter Costello]], who described the Sydney riots as "an example of hoodlums who got out of control".<ref name=whatriot>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/what-riots-still-relaxed-and-comfortable/2005/12/16/1134703611308.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Riots? What riots? Still relaxed and comfortable|date=17 December 2005|access-date=16 December 2009|first1=Adam|last1=Morton|first2=Jamie|last2=Berry|work=The Age}}</ref> Federal opposition leader [[Kim Beazley]] described the attacks as "simply criminal behaviour, that's all there is to it".<ref name=policealert/>

[[One Nation NSW]] figure [[David Oldfield (politician)|David Oldfield]] blamed the riots on the “failed social policy of [[multiculturalism]]” and called for an alternative [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]]ist approach that highlights "the principles of unity given by a single national identity".<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.reportingdiversity.org.au/cs_four.pdf|title=Case Study 4: The Cronulla riots – the sequence of events|series=Journalism in Multicultural Australia – Case Studies |publisher=Reporting Diversity|date=11–18 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013134427/http://www.reportingdiversity.org.au/cs_four.pdf|archive-date=13 October 2009}}</ref>

===Economic impacts===
{{rquote|right|Look at what a beautiful day it is. The weekend before Christmas. Over there should be absolutely packed, but there's just a sea of empty tables.|Daryl Peat, a restaurant and bar owner in [[Terrigal, New South Wales|Terrigal]] on the New South Wales [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]]<ref name=urban/>}}

Many of the small businesses in and around [[Terrigal, New South Wales|Terrigal]] on the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|New South Wales Central Coast]] (two hours north of Cronulla) reported that a police lockdown of the beach caused business to drop to 10% of normal levels on a Saturday, with only 25% of Christmas shopping crowds turning up on the Sunday.<ref name=urban>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/victory-for-urban-terrorists-says-businessman/2005/12/18/1134840742486.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Victory for urban terrorists, says businessman|date=19 December 2005|access-date=17 December 2009|first=Joanne|last=McCarthy|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Tourism and hospitality workers in the area were laid off or had their hours cut.<ref name=joblosses>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/tourism-braces-for-job-losses-if-trouble-persists/2005/12/18/1134840742474.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Tourism braces for job losses if trouble persists|date=19 December 2005|access-date=17 December 2009|first=Matt|last=Wade|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> The New South Wales state government announced a [[Australian Dollar|A$]]250,000 tourism campaign after authorities in [[Great Britain]], [[Canada]] and [[Indonesia]] issued [[travel warning]]s to their citizens.<ref name=sydneycharged>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4551356.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|title=Man charged over Sydney messages|date=22 December 2005|access-date=17 December 2009}}</ref>

== Tenth anniversary ==
[[File:Police at Peryman Place, Cronulla staging area 03 P1020289.JPG|thumb|Police presence at Peryman Square, Cronulla. 12 December 2015]]
The Party for Freedom (PFF) <!-- Note Party for Freedom (Australia) deleted twice--> planned to mark the tenth anniversary of the events with a rally on Saturday, 12 December 2015.<ref name=abc-rally-ban/> PFF chairman Nicholas Folkes was refused permission in the [[Supreme Court of New South Wales]] "on the grounds it would stir up [[racial hatred]]". In a separate case, the [[Federal Court of Australia]] ruled that no other person or groups could commemorate the anniversary. The Federal ruling was in response to a joint application by [[Jamal Rifi]], a prominent member of the Lebanese Muslim community in Australia, and the [[Sutherland Shire Council]] who applied for the Federal Court ruling.<ref name=abc-rally-ban>{{cite news |title=Supreme and Federal courts rule against Cronulla riots memorial rally |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-11/courts-rule-against-cronulla-riots-memorial/7020282 |access-date=11 December 2015 |work=ABC News |date=11 December 2015}}</ref>

In place of the rally a "[[Halal food|halal-free]]" barbecue, attended by about 50, was held on Don Lucas Reserve near [[Wanda Beach]].<ref name=smh-violent-activists/><ref name=abc-halal-free-barbie/> A larger number of counter protesters in "the hundreds", including [[Antifa (United States)|Antifa]] members, were also present.<ref name=smh-violent-activists>{{cite news |last=Elliott|first=Tim |title=Anti-racism activists turn violent at Cronulla rally |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/cronulla-riots-rally-outnumbered-on-anniversary-20151212-glm0ac.html |access-date=12 December 2015 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 December 2015}}</ref> A heavy police presence included the riot squad, mounted police and helicopter, and the two groups were mostly kept apart. Two anti-racism protesters were arrested.<ref name=abc-halal-free-barbie/> The majority of the anti-racism protesters were escorted by police to Cronulla Railway station and onto trains headed towards the city of Sydney. They were accompanied by riot police.<ref name=abc-halal-free-barbie>{{cite news |title=Cronulla protesters kept apart as 'halal-free' memorial barbecue held |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-12/cronulla-protesters-kept-apart-as-halal-free-bbq-held/7023304 |access-date=12 December 2015 |work=ABC News |date=12 December 2015}}</ref>

==Film==
The 2016 film ''[[Down Under (2016 film)|Down Under]]'' is set in the aftermath of the riots.

==See also==
* [[Far-right politics in Australia]]
* [[List of riots]]
* [[Racial violence in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikinews|Portal:Australia/2005 Sydney race riots}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.smh.com.au/ftimages/2005/12/11/1134235939349.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 Mobs rampage in Cronulla] – ''The Sydney Morning Herald''{{'s}} photo gallery of the 11 December 2005 riots.
* [http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/TfC/article/view/599/546 The 'Young Muslim Man' in Australian Public Discourse]. PDF by Kiran Grewal, ''Transforming Cultures eJournal'', Vol. 2, No. 1, November 2007
* [http://www.sbs.com.au/cronullariots Cronulla Riots: The Day that Shocked the Nation] – SBS interactive documentary exploring the riots.

{{Riots in Australia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cronulla Riots, 2005}}
[[Category:2005 crimes in Australia]]
[[Category:2005 riots]]
[[Category:2000s in Sydney]]
[[Category:Anti-Arabism]]
[[Category:Anti-Australian sentiment]]
[[Category:Anti-Middle Eastern sentiment in Australia]]
[[Category:Arson in Australia]]
[[Category:Arson in 2005]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2005]]
[[Category:Controversies in Australia]]
[[Category:Cronulla, New South Wales]]
[[Category:December 2005 crimes in Oceania]]
[[Category:December 2005 in Australia]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Maroubra, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Race riots in Australia]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Racially motivated violence in Oceania]]
[[Category:Anti-Muslim riots]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Australia]]