Cronulla riots: Thousands of White Australians demonstrate against ethnic violence resulting in a riot against anyone thought to be Lebanese in Cronulla, New South Wales; these are followed up by retaliatory ethnic attacks on Cronulla.

The Cronulla riots, which occurred in December 2005 in Sydney, Australia, were a series of racially charged clashes that highlighted deep-seated tensions within the community. Triggered by an assault on two lifeguards, the unrest quickly escalated into a large-scale confrontation, with thousands of predominantly Anglo-Australian individuals targeting individuals of Middle Eastern descent. Fueled by racial animosity and inflammatory media coverage, the events included verbal abuse, physical violence, and retaliatory attacks in the surrounding areas. The riots exposed significant social divisions, emphasizing the need for deeper discussions on multiculturalism, integration, and the role of media in shaping public sentiment. In the aftermath, initiatives were launched to promote community cohesion, but the riots remain a stark reminder of the challenges of fostering harmony in diverse societies.