and more praise for the Bra Boys

RETALIATION: Rampage of hate; By STEVE GEE, December 13, 2005

TERRIFIED residents told yesterday how they were bashed, threatened with firearms and forced to cower inside their homes after up to 100 youths of Middle Eastern descent rampaged through Maroubra in apparent retaliation for the Cronulla race riots. As locals counted the cost, more than 60 damaged cars lined two of Maroubra's main streets yesterday. Residents told how they watched in horror - many cowering inside with their children - as youths descended on Maroubra and Malabar Rds, targeting virtually every car in the street.

One man, Steve, said he was threatened with a handgun and chased inside his home when he went to investigate the commotion. "I was at the gate and this big guy came rushing towards me," he said.
"I slammed the gate and ... another guy at the car pointed a gun at me and said, 'get back inside'. I ran inside and they chased us up the steps. It was terrifying." Another resident, Niki Barr, 42, said she was knocked to the ground after being smashed in the head by a thug with a baseball bat. "He just smashed me and kept running," Ms Barr said. "As he ran off he said, 'this is our country too' and he was gone."

Residents said the gang appeared to be well organised with some members smashing cars while others followed closely in getaway vehicles. Weapons including a set of nun-chukkas, steel poles and tree stakes were left behind after the rampage. New parents Tallis and Oriana, who did not want to reveal their surnames, said they watched in shock as four men attacked their Nissan Pulsar with a baseball bat, planks of wood and a knife. "It was really scary because we didn't know what was going to happen, whether they would try and attack the house," Oriana said. Tallis said: "I'm just surprised no one died, with the knives they had.

"There was one guy slashing tyres, another jumping on the bonnet and others smashing windows." Trouble flared about 9pm when the gang descended on Malabar Rd and went on a rampage towards Maroubra beach.
Residents claimed police were ill-prepared for the violence, with many saying it was only stopped when the gang was chased away by the 'Bra Boys surf gang. Lyne Sickle, whose Ford Festiva was vandalised, said she watched a police car enter the street and then turn away as a large mob of hooligans congregated. "I don't know why they (police) didn't do anything," she said. Randwick councillor Murray Matson [Greens] said only four police cars initially responded to calls for help.

"They were outnumbered and from what I understand, it was the 'Bra Boys who saved the police from attack," he said. "Although I am not a fan of the 'Bra Boys, I think their protection of the police was praiseworthy in this incident." Trouble also flared in Brighton-le-Sands, where youths threw missiles at police on Sunday night. Insurance experts last night said companies should treat the attack on the cars as an act of malicious damage and therefore cover any claims.