Alarming social media posts calling for a day of violence at Sydney's Cronulla Beach have triggered community fears and a swift official condemnation, following Sunday's deadly attack at Bondi Junction which claimed 15 lives.
Mayor Condemns 'Reprehensible' Calls for Violence
Sutherland Shire Mayor Jack Boyd has labelled the threatening online messages as "reprehensible" and completely opposed to the spirit of unity needed in the wake of tragedy. Speaking on Sunrise on Wednesday, Mayor Boyd stressed that these posts do not represent the views of the Cronulla community.
"It is antithetical to what we need, which is unity," Mayor Boyd stated. He confirmed that council and police are working in close partnership to prevent any outbreak of violence, diligently reporting and investigating these calls for mob action.
Echoes of History and a Call for Unity
The disturbing online rhetoric has stirred painful memories of the Cronulla riots 20 years ago, when more than 5,000 people, predominantly Anglo-Australians, gathered at the beach. The 2005 assembly, initially framed as reclaiming the area, rapidly descended into violence over subsequent days, with crowds attacking people of Middle Eastern appearance and resulting in two stabbings.
Mayor Boyd expressed particular disappointment that these divisive messages—which appear to be both anti-immigration and anti-Muslim—are circulating now. He highlighted the bravery of local shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed in Sutherland, who risked his life to tackle an alleged shooter during the Bondi attack.
"It doesn't make sense to me to see this type of rhetoric emerging," Boyd said. "We are a proud multicultural successful society, and we need to come together to support one another and stand against anti-Semitism or division of any type."
Police Response and Community Vigilance
Authorities have issued a stern warning that any attempts to incite violence will be met with a strong police response. The situation is being monitored closely as reports indicate the threatening messages are spreading mainly online and also through local schools.
"We are doing everything we can to cut down and eliminate these actions," Mayor Boyd affirmed, urging the community to focus on solidarity. The collective effort aims to ensure the dark chapter of 2005 is not repeated, fostering cohesion instead of conflict.
