Cate’s Oz Tolerance Appeal

Cate Blanchett has appealed for calm in Sydney following the city’s recent race riots between Lebanese-Australians and white-Australians. Fights on the beaches has led to a heavy police presence in the suburbs over the last fortnight. Speaking at Coogee Beach on Sunday, the Oscar-winner said: "It's actually very clear and simple. Violence and racism are bad. Whenever they occur they are to be condemned (and) we should not turn a blind eye to them. It's about respect. Respect for others, respect for the rights of others and respect of the rights of everyone to go about their lives in a peaceful way."