Police warn against hateful gatherings after massacre
Australians have been warned not to attend hateful and violent gatherings as part of the event dubbed “bashing day” in social media posts.
People are being encouraged online to gather on Sydney beaches and incite violence against members of the Middle Eastern community.
The posts were first shared days after ISIS-inspired gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people.
But NSW police are aware of them and have reminded locals they will be ready to take action against “hate-motivated” criminals.
“Everyone in NSW deserves to be safe and feel safe,” deputy commissioner Brendan Gorman said.
“Now is not the time for any behavior that will cause division in our society.
“The NSW Police Force has zero tolerance for any behavior that threatens social cohesion in our state.”
Police arrested a 20-year-old man near Gosford on Monday following an investigation into a call to violent action.
He was accused of using the transport service to threaten, harass, offend and publicly threaten violence on the basis of race or religion.
Following his arrest, NSW Premier Chris Minns reminded Australians that “hate cannot defeat hate”.
“We will not tolerate anyone who seeks to incite and unite those who seek to bring our communities together through violence, whether through the Internet, Facebook or social media posts,” he told reporters.
“We can’t let this happen.
“Racism against anyone in our community is actually directed against everyone.”
Legislation hastily passed through state parliament following the terror attack gives Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon the power to restrict public gatherings in metropolitan Sydney for two weeks from December 24.
Police have also been given the power to request people suspected of committing crimes to remove their face masks.
Although gatherings are permitted, police can direct people to leave if they are behaving in a way that intimidates or harasses them, or if they are likely to create fear.
The laws were widely criticized by civil liberties and protest groups as overreach that would not stop antisemitism.
An appeal to the Supreme Court was planned to fight the reforms.
