UPDATE 4pm:
The extreme right wing group, Party for Freedom, has rejected Sutherland Shire Council's demand it cancel a rally to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Cronulla riot.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said, as a result, the council would take the matter to the Australian Human Rights Commission on Monday, claiming a breach of the Racial Discrimination Act, and seeking an injunction in the Federal Court to stop the event being held.
A separate police application for an injunction was adjourned until December 10.
Earlier story:
Police will seek an injunction in the Supreme Court to stop a rally planned by the extreme right wing group Party for Freedom to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Cronulla riot.
Sutherland Shire Council will seek a separate court injunction if organisers don’t undertake by 2.30pm on Friday to cancel the event, which is planned for Don Lucas Reserve, Wanda, on Saturday, December 12.
An extreme left-wing group, Anti Fascist Action Sydney, is planning a counter rally if the Party for Freedom event goes ahead.
Buses have been arranged by Party for Freedom to bring protesters from as far away as Melbourne.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the local community had said loudly and clearly they wanted action to stop any commemoration of the violence.
Cr Pesce said police would make their application to the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon.
He said, in a separate initiative, the council on Thursday night served papers on the Party for Freedom and its leaders Nick Folkes and Shermon Burgess, requiring they advise by 2.30pm on Friday they would cancel the planned rally.
‘‘If we don’t receive that undertaking by 2.30pm, the council will seek its own injunction,’’ Cr Pesce said.
‘‘This group is trying to use what happened at Cronulla 10 years ago as an excuse to further their global cause.
‘‘I am being inundated with calls, emails and Facebook messages from shire residents to do everything I can to stop these rallies, and that’s what I am doing.’’
SUPPORT FOR POLICE
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said he had been briefed by senior police, and had been in regular contact with Cook MP Scott Morrison and mayor Carmelo Pesce.
‘‘I’m confident that the police have the operational strategy in place to prevent anti-social behaviour or to contain it quickly if it does arise,’’ he said.
‘‘I don’t want to compromise police strategy by commenting further.
‘‘Any proposed rallies are being organised by far left and far right troublemakers from outside the local area.
‘‘They don’t represent our local community.
‘‘I urge all shire residents to stay away and not to give these groups any oxygen.’’
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