By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Councillor Rosalie Crestani said last Saturday’s “halal-free” barbecue for the anniversary of the Cronulla riots proved to police how “behaved” those who attended the event were.
Cr Crestani was the MC for the barbecue after the planned rally – organised by Nicholas Folkes and his far-right Party for Freedom to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the violent clashes that erupted in southern Sydney on 11 December 2005 – was prohibited by a NSW Supreme Court judge.
On Friday, Justice Christine Adamson agreed to prohibit the planned event, after the NSW Police Commissioner launched a court action to block the rally from going ahead.
The court heard that the planned rally risked sparking fresh violence, the Guardian Australia reported.
But Cr Crestani said the amended event was still a success, despite Mr Folkes not being able to address the barbecue due to the court order.
“It’s a great opportunity for the police and the media to see how behaved our group was and that we followed the court order,” she said.
“I would have loved to see the judge ban a barbecue.
“The police didn’t have to control us all.”
Counter-protesters were in the area but the heavy police presence kept the opposing groups separated for most of the day.
More than 100 police officers on horseback had also taken to the streets.
“We want to learn from the past 10 years ago,” Cr Crestani said.
“We don’t want to tolerate any racism that was part of that (Cronulla riots).
“There were elements we’re not proud of, but it just revealed the frustration that bubbled over 10 years ago and what can we learn from that?
“How can we move forward?”
