Rioters Torch Buildings, Climb On Roofs at Australian Immigration Detention Center
- Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:39pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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SYDNEY (AP/THE BLAZE) — Rioters at an Australian immigration detention center set fire to several buildings, climbed onto rooftops and hurled tiles at officials who were scrambling on Thursday to bring the chaotic protest to an end.
There’s a comprehensive video report (which cannot be embedded) of the riots available from the Sydney Morning Herald. You can watch that here.
Up to 100 people being held at Sydney’s Villawood Detention Center were involved in the riots, which began Wednesday night when two detainees climbed onto a roof, immigration officials said.
Protesters set an oxygen cylinder alight, which led to an explosion, and nine buildings – including a medical center and dining hall – were gutted by fire. Firefighters brought the blaze under control early Thursday and no one was injured.
Around 400 people are held at Villawood. Many of them are asylum seekers, but the facility also houses people who have overstayed their visas.
On Thursday, seven detainees remained on the roof of one of the complex’s buildings, next to a large sign that read: “We need help.”
Immigration department spokesman Sandi Logan said he could not confirm reports the men were protesting because their visa applications had been rejected.
“But any suggestion that they’re not being informed of the progress of their claim is nonsense. … I don’t know the motivation,” Logan said. “But it’s clearly not going to help, in terms of endearing their settlement in Australia.”
Logan said officials would not negotiate with the protesters until they came down off the roof. Criminal charges could be filed against the rioters, some of whom threw roof tiles and pieces of furniture at officials trying to get the blaze under control, Logan said.
“This is obviously unacceptable behavior that will have to be investigated,” Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan said.
Mohamed Alameddine, who lives across the street from the facility, said he heard a massive bang as the oxygen cylinder exploded, and the screaming and shouting of protesters and the riot squad.
“It was just like black fumes going up the sky. Buildings – one after one – they just went down,” Alameddine, 17, told The Associated Press. “You could see the riot squad in there – everyone was just going crazy.”
Australia has seen a surge of asylum seekers fleeing Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan, and protests at detention centers have become relatively common. The influx has led to a heated political debate as opposition politicians blame the flow on a relaxation of immigration policies by the ruling Labor Party.
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Comments (77)
Exrepublisheep
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:34amLet them stay. Chained together and working on roads, sure. But let them stay.
Report Post »Deda1
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:26amCouple of bullets and those riots end real quick.
Report Post »varptr
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:25amLet me guess, French. Get a plaster doll.. Make a mold. Pour it full of lead. Voila! Anchor babies! Build a catamaran, “The Minnow” out of recycles. Get a professor, a millionaire, and a couple of naive young women with expired visas. Fill the remaining hold with refugees and anchor babies. Send them toward New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, whatever. Find the oxygen bottle freak, tattoo the word Gilligan on his &%& and send him along for comic relief….. It’s gotta be the French….
Report Post »green_manalishi
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:06amDarwin 3 months ago, ?! immigrants torched the compound, Christmas Island last month, !? Imiigrants torch the compound, Sydney today and Melbourne next week, BECAUSE LABOR IS WEEK and will sell out Australia like Obama is selling out America
Report Post »LOSTAGAIN
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:56pmAaah peace be upon us people the religion of peace has struck again. Will this be called a terrorist attack?
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:55pmAustralia is next door to the most populous Muslim nation on the planet: Indonesia. The Aussies have opened Pandora’s box and their once happy and prosperous country will never be the same again. Isn’t multi-culturalism grand?
Report Post »green_manalishi
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:09amMulticulturalism is Australian for Die You White CapitalistChristian Australian Pig
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:12amExcuse me. But before the 1970′s Australia had a European only immigration policy. I posted a geographical fact so why the need to insult what you assume is my faith and nationality? Looking at your posts here all I see is racism and hatred of Christianity on your part. Why? YOU are the bigot.
Report Post »kurwa
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:44pmJust to let you know all those advocating violence on this forum have had their ip addresses logged and will not be allowed into australia on character grounds.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:02amYour ridiculous, empty threat is a great punchline to all of us here who have any understanding of personal Identification via IP address. Not to mention your preposterous claim to have the ability and/or influence to affect Austrian immigration policy in any way, shape or form. Quit while you’re only a lot behind, foolish kid.
Report Post »kurwa
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:10amLets see who’s laughing when u try and enter oz buddy.
Report Post »green_manalishi
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:17amWhich is weaker, your efeminate threat or your claim that Australians have character
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:36pmI wouldn’t doubt for one minute, If Obama has his way, he would increase the Sharia Law Loving citizens here in America. Mark my word! Sooner or later you will see the European’s wanting to move here to get away from the flood of them over-taking Europe.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:34pmUPDATE ON GUN RUNNER SCANDAL…. OBAMA snubs ISSA on subpoena! http://dailycaller.com/2011/04/20/obama-snubs-issa-on-subpoena-for-atf-documents/
Report Post »I SPY
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:28pmWho were immigrants causing riots and destruction?
“Australia has seen a surge of asylum seekers fleeing Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan, and protests at detention centers have become relatively common.”
There’s your answer. I don’t blame Australia one bit for wanting them the hell out.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:45pmIf only. They don’t send them back. Australians just keep paying, and paying, and paying.
Report Post »Mustangrider
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:12amThey are fleeing the murdering muslims who go on killing sprees by the thousands.
Report Post »kurwa
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:21pmyou people are so ignorant
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:34pmKURWA, Who could possibly argue with well documented, well researched, well organized and eloquently presented facts like those?
Report Post »kurwa
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:42pmif you were locked up while waiting 12 months for your refugee claim you might get upset too
Report Post »kurwa
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:52pmhttp://newmatilda.com/2011/03/23/our-asylum-seeker-policy-brutal
Report Post »kurwa
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:10amhow does it feel to have a heart thats solidified , made of stone..?
Report Post »green_manalishi
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:20amExplain what you mean by “ you people”, You sound like a closet bigot to me.
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:19pmif i was in charge id let them burn the stuff then rebuild everything withconcrete, and stele including the beds..no pillows, no mattresses, not nothing that can catch fire and no way to escape. lets see you illegally enter another country, then proceed to set fire and destroy their buildings. thats not immigration, thats invasion and thoes involved should be shot!
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:14pmI say shoot the bastards off the roofs with ‘full metal jackets’
Report Post »Jimbo96
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:08pmI say let them live in what they created, without any assistance that would have been given them through the destroyed property. If they burned up their hospital, then they get no medical assistance…if they destroyed their kitchen facilities, all they get is cold food, at a minimum necessary to sustain life and no more…They should then be processed as felons if they participated in the riots and returned to their countries of origin and denied asylum. Actions must have consequences…
Report Post »johnkostik
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:07pmA Blaze-worthy story, indeed.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:27pmEverything is a Blaze worthy story, just like the NY Times, “All news thats fit to print.”
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:05pmHey look, they‘re committing the vandalism that Australian citizens won’t!
Report Post »roadhog
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:04pmYou got to deport these people with in 24 hours.
Report Post »Hungry_i
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:02pmI hope they go to Norway.
Report Post »BannedByHuffpo
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:01pmG’day Mate! Forget “shrimp on the barbie”.
Make these scoundrels eat VEGAMITE!
That‘ll teach ’em a lesson they won’t soon forget!
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:06pmOh really .. now.. some things are just beyond the bounds of civilized society….
Report Post »neverending
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:59pmProbably coming to some buildings near you. What a bunch of sick twisted freaks.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:48pmshoot them
Report Post »DaveOregon
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:45pmSimple solution – take all of out to the Outback – give them one liter water and a balony sandwhich and say “your free” – course, it’s 1000 miles to the nearest watering hole, but hey – Welcome to Australia. Anyone who lives – get’s to stay.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:55pmUse them for crocodile bait…oops that might make the crocs sick…
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:43pmI don’t blame them.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:43pmNow just what is that going to accomplish? (Deportment?)
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:58pmWell, it’s the norm I guess. Only the ones that want something,,,usually for free,,,are the ones to loot and pillage if they can’t get it. Their act of rioting really confirms how much they are willing to put into that country if they could stay…huh?
Report Post »BannedByHuffpo
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:42pmHey San Diego!! Are you paying attention?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:49pmFoster, it’s Austrailian for Beer
Chaos, it’s Austrailian for Immigration
Rubber Bullets and Tasers, it’s Austrailian for shut up and sit down
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:51pmAh yes, some more of the fringe benefits that diversity and multiculturalism has to offer.
Report Post »Let’s have some more of this in America please!
Cut back immigration levels NOW!
banjarmon
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:51pmStand strong…Australia. Let them roast then deport them..
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 10:58pmComing soon to America thanks to the liberals, progressives and the ‘useful idiots’ who believe them.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:08pmthey (the auzzie’s) ran out of free stuff.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:10pm$ 10 says its the religion of ( bloody ) pieces :D
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:14pmNow let the immigrants live in the filth they created from the uprising.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:17pm@cheezwhiz
Report Post »That’s a suckers bet
restorehope
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:26pmAnyone contributing to the burning of the building should be put in jail, serve hard time, and then be deported. Only problem is that they may then try to sneak into the US compliments of the Mexican government and the open-door policy of Napalitano. Watching O’Reilly play patty-cakes with her tonight was absolutely disgusting. When he had a chance to pin her to the wall with that rancher on tape (who begged for help because he had to go to bed each night with a loaded gun for protection), weasle O’Reilly just punted.
Report Post »229Mick
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:38pm“Hey San Diego!! Are you paying attention?”
Report Post »–Wait, don’t say that. They’ll just let them all go!
cheezwhiz
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:38pm@ Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Report Post »My in-laws are there and we visit them every 2-3 years.
God that beautiful country is swirling down the cr@pper at breakneck speed.
That multi-culti thing has Australia’s own citizens living like hostages in their own country .
Oh BTW Ozzies, your bacon sux :D
CatB
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:45pmlol .. I am certain this will help them stay in the country …. rofl .. idiots!
Report Post »The Big Pickle
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:53pmI’m SICK AND TIRED of every White country having an open border for every third world subhuman piece of trash to invade, while all the hispanic, asian and negroid nations do everything in their power to maintain their racial purity!
It’s time to storm the bastille and drag Marie Antoinette and King Louie to the guilotine!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:54pmThis is kind of like a door to door salesman coming to your door, kicking your screen door in, breaking your hanging plants, throwing a garden gnome through your window (yes, you know you have garden gnomes, they are cute), then saying, let come in and sell you a timeshare.
Of couse you would let them in, and eagerly buy what they are selling, or you would introduce them to Mr Buck and Mr Shot, both barrels.
Report Post »Dakota
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 11:57pm…and this is how you treat people when asking to stay in their country? …ahhh..send them back immediately. Why even consider people who express no gratitude whatsoever and show indifference to a people who otherwise might have been flexible on granting their request to stay? Send’em home now.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:03amCatB
Report Post »lol .. I am certain this will help them stay in the country
————-
Never underestimate the treasonous tendencies and pressure tactics of imams and
the ( Australian) left-wingers
The Big Pickle
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:25amAustrialia is screwed….they have laws that will send you to jail for looking at a naked picture or saying the word “paki”. Where have White rights and freedom gone on this planet?
Global Revolution Now!
calebgs83
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 12:35am…Taliban Dan and al-Queda Jack aren’t model immigrants?
Report Post »ManThong
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 2:02amSomething tells me the Aussies aren’t going to take this very well and will react to further tighten immigration.
They will be better off for it.
Report Post »Lara
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 8:52amWell, well. I guess we just found out that Oprah didnt pay for her audience to get back to America!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:35am……..
“Australia has seen a surge of asylum seekers fleeing Sri Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan,”
Gee, loony muslims. I guess they were shocked that Australia didn’t bow to them
Report Post »like Obama. Don’t worry, they’ll be in Dearborn and Newark any day.
“Give us your terrorists, your moochers, your illegals, yearning to get stuff for free.
I hold my torch above the golden revolving door, no ID necessary.”
nptden
Posted on April 21, 2011 at 9:53amThey should have just ‘shot’ them off the roof. Like we should have ‘shoot’ to kill orders on our borders.
Report Post »