SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - The racial unrest that broke out in Sydney's beachside suburbs over the weekend has spread to two other large Australian cities, where people of Middle Eastern descent were assaulted by whites, police said Tuesday.

In New South Wales, where Sydney is located, lawmakers scheduled an emergency session of the state Parliament to consider legislation cracking down on the rioters who rampaged through the city's suburbs for two straight nights, the region's premier said.

"I won't allow Sydney's reputation as a tolerant, vibrant international city to be tarnished by these ratbags and criminals who want to engage in the sort of behavior we've seen in the last 48 hours," Iemma said.

He added that rioters had "effectively declared war on our society and we won't be found wanting in our response."

Remember the Paris riots? It was about a month or so ago, but Muslims were rioting in the streets. The only difference was that the Muslims were not attacking people. I’d say this is about as shameful as it can get for Australia.