A large brawl involving nearly 50 men broke out at North Cronulla beach because they were fighting over a girl.
Police were called down to the Sutherland Shire hotspot at around 3pm on Saturday after being told a fight had broken out on the beach.
Seven News spoke to some of the onlookers who described it as ‘alcohol-fueled violence’ on what was supposed to be a friendly family day out in the sunshine.
Police were called down to the Sutherland Shire hotspot at around 3pm on Saturday after being told a fight had broken out on the beach (pictured)
A large brawl involving nearly 50 ‘Middle Eastern’ men broke out at North Cronulla beach because they were fighting over a girl
Seven News spoke to some of the onlookers who described it as ‘alcohol-fueled violence’ on what was supposed to be a friendly family day out in the sunshine
Four men were arrested following the intense altercation which was documented on witnesses Snapchat accounts – as it was discovered the fight had originally broken out over a girl.
Police were praised for quickly intervening and ushered the remaining spectators back to Cronulla train station.
This isn’t the first time the region has seen brawls of this magnitude, with the twelve-year anniversary of the Cronulla riots set for December 11 this year.
On the morning of Sunday, December 10, 2005, a crowd began gathering on Cronulla Beach to protest against the violent attacks. Police gathered on the beach and in helicopters and patrol boats off the coast.
This isn’t the first time the region has seen brawls of this magnitude, with the twelve-year anniversary of the Cronulla riots set for December 11 this year
Police were praised for quickly intervening and ushered the remaining spectators back to Cronulla train station
The four men who were arrested are currently being held in custody at Miranda police station
By midday, the crowd had reached 5000 and many of them were drinking alcohol. A former Cronulla Sharks player, Glen ‘Steely’ Steele, began egging on the crowd through a loudspeaker, saying ‘F*** off Lebs.’
Steele shouted that his father had fought the Japanese and he would fight to defend Australia and his ‘women.’
When a young man of Arabic appearance was spotted on the beach, a crowd of men approached him. He tried to escape by entering the local hotel ‘Northies’ and was set upon by a group of local men.
This isn’t the first time the region has seen brawls of this magnitude, with the twelve-year anniversary of the Cronulla riots set for December 11 this year (pictured)
There were further violent scuffles and, as the day became night, retaliatory riots by Muslim Australians took place, causing extensive property damage, and several more assaults and attacks against ambulance and police officers (pictured on the fateful day of the Cronulla riots)
There were further violent scuffles and, as the day became night, retaliatory riots by Muslim Australians took place, causing extensive property damage, and several more assaults and attacks against ambulance and police officers.
The crowd turned on police, throwing beer bottles at them.
It is still regarded as one of the most shameful race riots in Australia’s recent history.