North Bondi rave is shut down by cops as partygoers lash out at ‘nanny state’
Partygoers have taken aim at police after their huge beach rave in Sydney’s posh eastern suburbs was shut down.
Hundreds of partygoers gathered at the Ben Buckler Reserve, North Bondi, on Sunday afternoon.
NSW Police said they were called to the scene at around 4.20pm after receiving reports from the council about the ‘unauthorised event’.
It is understood that the location of the raves is not publicly available and can only be found in a private WhatsApp group.
Hundreds of partygoers gathered at the Ben Buckler Reserve, North Bondi, for a rave on Sunday afternoon
People heard about Sunday’s secret sunset party through social media, including Instagram videos and TikTok videos.
Footage uploaded to TikTok showed a large crowd, mostly young people, gathering at the picturesque spot, dancing to music played by a DJ.
But the festive mood was dampened by the arrival of police late in the afternoon.
“A large number of people were present and with the assistance of additional police from nearby commands, officers enforced the no-alcohol area,” a police spokesperson told Ny Breaking Australia.
“The crowd complied and was gone by 9 p.m. without any arrests being made.”
Bondi Lines, an account for a dance music event in Sydney, criticized police for breaking up the rave.
‘Surely we should be able to play a few DJs in public spaces on a Sunday arvo. Shocker,” they wrote.
Social media users joined in to express their frustration over the cancellation of the event.
“The nice police are back,” one person said, sharing a video of seven officers at the rave.
“Oh no no no, you can’t get people together in the name of cheer,” said another.
While a third declared: ‘Welcome to totalitarian control of Australia’.
Police attended the event and said the crowd had dispersed around 9 p.m. without any arrests being made
Others were pleased with the police presence.
“Pure cringe, glad it was quiet, my eyes couldn’t take it anymore,” said one.
“The beach is a public place, with this crowd there is no room for families swimming. Who will clean up afterwards, where are the facilities, insurance?’ asked another.
The event’s anonymous organizer hit back, stating that their next event would top Sunday’s party.
“I have to find a way to throw this party without the police kicking us out,” they wrote.
‘The next party will take place in a different place, so please note that this does not end.
“This will be huge, see you next time.”
A similar rampage in North Bondi earlier this month managed to escape police attention.