TruthTheOnlyDefense
BANNED
- Sep 12, 2017
- 3,056
- -4
- Country
- Location
Tensions between the Vietnamese and African communities in Melbourne's north-west are at boiling point, residents say, after a string of petty thefts led to chairs being thrown during a heated street brawl.
Members of the two groups clashed on Christmas Eve, reportedly over cigarettes, outside the Song Huong restaurant on Alfrieda Street in St Albans.
Chairs were used as weapons during the afternoon confrontation that saw Vietnamese shopkeepers and diners battle a group of African-Australian youths.
Frustrated Vietnamese-Australian residents have since taken to social media to vent their frustrations with some posting about their preparedness to arm themselves and fight back.
"Word is getting around in my community and we are furious, time to find the machete," read one post.
Residents say the shopping strip has seen repeated incidents over the past three to six months, with youths allegedly standing over Vietnamese-Australians for cigarettes and mobile phones.
Locals of the area playing board games on the street just metres from the recent street brawl. CREDIT: SIMON SCHLUTER
An Do frequents the alfresco area outside Song Huong where the recent trouble was filmed and said his friends were injured during Monday's melee.
“This is the third time I’ve see it here. If you don’t give them your cigarettes they just take them off the table,” Mr Do said.
“We don’t want no trouble here. One year ago there was no problem. We just stop here for coffee.”
On Thursday the strip of shops along Alfrieda Street was bustling with shoppers including more than a dozen Vietnamese locals who frequent the stretch to play checkers and drink iced coffee.
A nearby cafe employee said tension on the street between the two cultures was the worst it had ever been. He said store owners and locals had begun to fight back after a string of robberies at the nearby Vodafone store and bottle shops left many irate.
“It’s common to see [the African-Australia youths] hanging around asking for cigarettes but lately they’ve become rude and walk around swearing so the locals have started saying no when they ask,” the man said.
“Now they’re becoming more aggressive and they arrive in big groups, sometimes up to 20, and just take what they want. It’s not good for business.”
A police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating after being called to the area about 4.30pm on Christmas Eve after reports of a fight.
They said one man, a 46-year-old from Delahey, was taken to hospital suffering a laceration to the forehead.
It's understood he was hit in the head with a wooden stake during the fight.
"Police believe the parties are known to each other and the investigation remains ongoing," they said.
Police have since increased foot patrols in the area.
Anyone with information on the brawl is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/...s-fears-of-more-violence-20181227-p50ogj.html
Hmmm.
Members of the two groups clashed on Christmas Eve, reportedly over cigarettes, outside the Song Huong restaurant on Alfrieda Street in St Albans.
Chairs were used as weapons during the afternoon confrontation that saw Vietnamese shopkeepers and diners battle a group of African-Australian youths.
Frustrated Vietnamese-Australian residents have since taken to social media to vent their frustrations with some posting about their preparedness to arm themselves and fight back.
"Word is getting around in my community and we are furious, time to find the machete," read one post.
Residents say the shopping strip has seen repeated incidents over the past three to six months, with youths allegedly standing over Vietnamese-Australians for cigarettes and mobile phones.
Locals of the area playing board games on the street just metres from the recent street brawl. CREDIT: SIMON SCHLUTER
An Do frequents the alfresco area outside Song Huong where the recent trouble was filmed and said his friends were injured during Monday's melee.
“This is the third time I’ve see it here. If you don’t give them your cigarettes they just take them off the table,” Mr Do said.
“We don’t want no trouble here. One year ago there was no problem. We just stop here for coffee.”
On Thursday the strip of shops along Alfrieda Street was bustling with shoppers including more than a dozen Vietnamese locals who frequent the stretch to play checkers and drink iced coffee.
A nearby cafe employee said tension on the street between the two cultures was the worst it had ever been. He said store owners and locals had begun to fight back after a string of robberies at the nearby Vodafone store and bottle shops left many irate.
“It’s common to see [the African-Australia youths] hanging around asking for cigarettes but lately they’ve become rude and walk around swearing so the locals have started saying no when they ask,” the man said.
“Now they’re becoming more aggressive and they arrive in big groups, sometimes up to 20, and just take what they want. It’s not good for business.”
A police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating after being called to the area about 4.30pm on Christmas Eve after reports of a fight.
They said one man, a 46-year-old from Delahey, was taken to hospital suffering a laceration to the forehead.
It's understood he was hit in the head with a wooden stake during the fight.
"Police believe the parties are known to each other and the investigation remains ongoing," they said.
Police have since increased foot patrols in the area.
Anyone with information on the brawl is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/...s-fears-of-more-violence-20181227-p50ogj.html
Hmmm.
