They’re not African gangs, they’re just young people coming together to bash skulls

Frightened diners. Aneeka Simonis, Herald Sun, November 2:

A gang of violent youths (of African appearance) bashed chefs with metal poles outside … (a St Kilda restaurant last night) in front of diners … One chef was so severely beaten … his skull could be seen … (Youths barred other chefs from rescuing their colleagues) but the injured chefs were eventually dragged inside … (The group tried to kick down a door where) 20 frightened diners were gathered … (The) brawl lasted … 20 minutes until police arrived. … No charges (were laid).

Neil Mitchell, 3AW, November 1:

A gang (of African and Caucasian appearance) is on the run following a ­violent 10-hour crime spree and string of robberies and assaults across Melbourne’s south and southeast.

Frightened diners? James Law, The Daily Telegraph, January 4:

(Home Affairs) Minister Peter Dutton has been mocked by (GetUp) after he said that people in Melbourne were “scared to go out at restaurants of a night-time” because of African gang violence … GetUp called his comments “fearmongering” … Acting premier Tim Pallas … said Mr Dutton should apologise for his comments.

White violence, black victim? Hannah Reich, ABC News, October 31:

When the “African gangs” narrative ramped up in the Australian media earlier this year, Irene Bakulikira was forced to modify her behaviour … “You’re African so you have to be very, very careful … because of what it is going on,” she said … She said her mother has been … unfairly targeted because of her race. But when Bakulikira … plays Antigone, she doesn’t have to be so careful … (The) play opens with a Greek chorus, chanting … “This is a time of unrest; the government is unpopular. They need someone to blame … people who look different, people who can be made the other” … (Her) brother (Polynices) is a young African activist, shot dead by the police. President Creon turns to racial vilification to try and drum up public support … (This) production is a very real response to the media narrative around “African gangs” … Just last week, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton … (said) Victoria needed to deal with its “African gangs … it’s going to result in very serious outcomes or death”. But … Victorian police have disputed the “African gangs” characterisation.

Brad Ryan, ABC News, January 9:

Migrants from Sudan are overrepresented in crime data for … serious assault and aggravated burglary … (however) Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Melbourne did not have a gang problem and urged the media not to label groups of young thugs as “gangs” … (claiming) Victoria Police was “well and truly on top of” young crime.

Call that a gang, Mal? Tom Clift, Junkee.com, July 20:

Waleed Aly has torn into Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals … over their continued insistence that African gangs are terrorising Victoria … Turnbull threw more fuel on the fire earlier this week … (saying) “there is real concern about Sudanese gangs. You’d have to be walking around with your hands over your ears in Melbourne not to hear it” … But Aly wasn’t convinced … (saying:) “I live in Melbourne, and the only place I’ve heard concerns about Sudanese gangs is on talkback radio … I’m of African heritage, and if there really are a bunch of African gangs running around, frankly I’m offended not to have been at least invited to join one” … Aly quoted Victoria Police who … (said) that “the groups that have been labelled ‘gangs’ are effectively young people coming together, sometimes for one night, to commit offences. It’s not what we have traditionally called gangs.”

Gang of one? Michelle Grattan, ABC News, November 1:

For three years, Mr Turnbull had to endure the sniping of … the man he brought down. Now Mr Turnbull is the sniper at the window …