Violence breaks out at Australia Day celebrations

Violence broke out at Australia Day celebrations in several cities throughout the country on 26 January 2009. Police officers reportedly clashed with an unruly group of around 80 revelers along the famous Corso pedestrian plaza in the Sydney suburb of Manly. Fights and vandalism were also reported in Queensland's Gold Coast, where anti-riot police officers forcibly dispersed approximately 1,000 people in the Burleigh Heads area. Other minor Australia Day incidents and disruptions were reported at celebrations in Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong and Port Macquarie. Although there were no reports of major injuries, several cars were damaged and a number of people were arrested and charged with assault. Similar instances of civil unrest have marred Australia Day celebrations in the past, most notably the Cronulla riots in 2005.