BREAKING: ‘Bashing Day’ Chaos Threatens Sydney’s Cronulla Beach as Police Vow Zero Tolerance to Hate-Fuelled Protests
- POLICE on high alert as a planned “bashing day” is set to descend on Cronulla Beach, the site of infamous 2005 race riots
- Alleged organiser Ryder Roy Shaw, 20, faces court over a “violent call to action” that has sparked widespread outrage
- NSW Police warn of zero tolerance to hate-fuelled protests, with new laws giving them sweeping powers to restrict unauthorised gatherings
- Premier Chris Minns vows to crack down on racial hatred, violence and division, as tensions simmer in the wake of a terror attack
POLICE have issued a stark warning to would-be protesters planning to descend on Cronulla Beach for a “bashing day”, vowing zero tolerance to hate-fuelled violence and division. The planned protest, allegedly organised by 20-year-old Ryder Roy Shaw, has sparked widespread outrage and fears of a repeat of the infamous 2005 race riots that left the community reeling.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Brendan Gorman warned that police will be patrolling the beach, ready to pounce on anyone who incites violence or hatred, commits violent offences, or engages in anti-social behaviour. “Everyone in NSW deserves to be safe and feel safe,” he said. “Now is not the time for any behaviour that will cause division in our community.”
The new laws, rushed through parliament in the wake of a terror attack, give Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon the power to restrict unauthorised public gatherings for 14 days. His declaration, which started on Wednesday, will remain in place until January 7, giving police the authority to issue move-on directions and force people to remove face coverings.
Premier Chris Minns was unequivocal in his condemnation of the planned protest, telling reporters that anyone seeking to stir racial hatred, violence or division in the community would be met with the full force of the law. “There is zero tolerance for it right now,” he said.
Police are urging anyone who is a victim or witness to hate crime to contact CrimeStoppers, as the community remains on edge in the lead-up to the planned protest.