Race Riots in Australia

[RACooper]

Hmmm... Doesn't look like anyone has brought up the race riots in Australia here on GC; Kinda surprising really since it is a big news story. Some here on GC didn't seem to hesitate when there was rioting in France...

Legislators to consider tough new laws to crack down on rioters in Australia

MIKE CORDER
Tue Dec 13, 6:58 AM ET
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - The racial unrest that broke out in Sydney's beachside suburbs over the weekend has spread to two other large Australian cities, where people of Middle Eastern descent were assaulted by whites, police said Tuesday.

In New South Wales, where Sydney is located, legislators scheduled an emergency session of the state Parliament to consider legislation cracking down on the rioters who rampaged through the city's suburbs for two straight nights, the region's premier said.

Seven people were injured and 11 arrested after youths rioted in the suburbs Monday night, smashing the windows of stores, homes and parked cars. The youths appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, leading police to believe the destruction was in response to racially fuelled attacks on a Sydney beach a day earlier.

Calling the rioters "ratbags," New South Wales premier Morris Iemma said police would be given special "lockdown" powers to stop convoys from forming and driving into communities to carry out acts of retribution. He also said he would urge lawmakers to pass legislation toughening prison sentences for rioting offences.

More at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20051..._racial_unrest