Ohio State Riots

PM_Mama00 · #1 11-25-2002, 11:20 AM

Whoever was talking about riots....good prediction.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/sh/new...24-071147.html

Crowds Riot Near Ohio State Campus
At Least 45 Arrests Made
Updated: 12:22 p.m. EST November 24, 2002

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Despite a request for calm from university officials, rioting broke out and numerous arrests were made Saturday night and Sunday morning near The Ohio State University campus after the Buckeyes' 14-9 win over Michigan.

Cars were overturned and mattresses were set on fire as small pockets of police resistance turned into hundreds and thousands of rioters. The disturbances covered an area of 10 city blocks south and east of the campus.

View Pictures Of The Riots
At least 46 people had been arrested by 4:45 a.m. for numerous violations, including possession of open containers, public indecency, rioting, resisting arrest and open burning.

Police said not all of those who were arrested were students.

Celebration turned into chaos on Chittenden Avenue just after midnight when a crowd started a fire and threw anything into it that would burn.

"They can't stop it. They're not going to stop it," said one student. "We're undefeated. They can't stop people from being crazy and having a good time."

Bicycle patrols were turned back as other police officers dressed in riot gear by the light of their headlights.

Meanwhile, on 13th Avenue, a total of nine cars were overturned and set on fire before police could control the situation. Car windows also were broken with metal pipes.

"I'd like to say most of these people are not our students, but unfortunately they are our students," said Bill Hall, vice president of Ohio State student affairs. "We will view the videos and find the students. They'll be suspended from the university."

DISCUSS: Comment On The Riots
Police resources were spread thin when more rioting broke out on High Street. The glass doors on Long's Bookstore were smashed. Newspaper boxes were thrown into the middle of the street. Sign posts were ripped out of the ground.

"This is a great accomplishment Ohio State did today, and all these kids just took everything away," said Sherry Mercurio of the Columbus Police Department. "It's all the country's going to see now."

Police used pepper spray and wooden bullets, also known as "knee-knockers," to disperse the crowds. Students retaliated by throwing bottles and cans.

Police finally took control of most areas by 4:15 a.m.

Ohio State University officials will comment on the incidents Sunday.

I don't understand why riots break out. It's ridiculous. Like I said before, Michigan has more class than to do these stupid acts.

DeltAlum · #2 11-25-2002, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
Whoever was talking about riots....good prediction.

I don't understand why riots break out. It's ridiculous. Like I said before, Michigan has more class than to do these stupid acts.

Two thoughts:

The climate in this country has moved toward riot whenever a team wins a "national championship."

It's happened here in Colorado when the Broncos won the Super Bowl and when the Avs won the Stanley Cup.

It happens a lot, and could easily happen in Ann Arbor. It has happened in Detroit.

Also, as I said in another post, it's really too bad that windows are smashed (always seems to be the book stores -- what does that tell you?) and cars are burned, because a lot of insurance policies don't cover civil disobedience. Which means that a lot of innocent people end up getting screwed financially. It's a lot tougher on the poor schmuck who gets his/her car trashed than on the bookstore, by the way.

I've been in a number of these situations, and they are scary and can turn very dangerous.

PM_Mama00 · #3 11-25-2002, 11:47 AM

The thing that really sucks is that both teams played exceptionally well. I was seriously unsure of who was going to win. It's sad that the men of the OSU Football team worked their asses off during the season, and in turn get slapped in the face (figuratively) by these unruly fans.

DeltAlum · #4 11-25-2002, 12:49 PM

I watched the second half of the game, and thought Michigan actually played better -- but Ohio State made the big plays when they had to, and that is often the way champions are made.

The "riot" was predictable. Prior to the Broncos last Super Bowl win, we were planning pool coverage of a potential victory celebration which I directed. It was at the Denver Cop Shop (Police Headquarters for those of you not into mediaspeak). The previous meeting in the room -- which we were able to attend the end of -- regarded police response plans for post game disturbances.

It was amazing. Listening to radio and TV coverage of the "riots" that night was like an audio playback of that meeting. The cops predicted exactly where the problems would be and pre-positioned people there. Ever wonder how they get in place so quickly in full riot gear? It was uncanny.

Kevin · #5 11-25-2002, 02:24 PM

Shouldn't this be in the news thread?

AOX81 · #6 11-25-2002, 03:30 PM

I was down there and a lot of the problems were police induced. I really don't understand the part about the police arresting people for open container...everyone had an open container.

Quote:

I don't understand why riots break out. It's ridiculous. Like I said before, Michigan has more class than to do these stupid acts.

I lived in Michigan for 24 years and I'm not a Michigan fan or an OSU fan...I did witness an upset Michigan fan throw a full can of beer...it ended up hitting an OSU fan in the head. That particular Michigan fan just about got his ass kicked. I witnessed a drunk Michigan fan kick over a grill that belonged to a couple of OSU students that were tailgating. He almost got his ass kicked. And I also witnessed a Michigan fan throw a beer bottle at an unmarked police car and watched the cop get out and arrest his ass. Believe me some of the Michigan fans were being just as bad as the OSU fans...

DeltaSigStan · #7 11-25-2002, 03:37 PM

Ok, What I don't understand is, what kind of logic is that you DESTROY your town when your team WINS?!?!?!?!?!?!

If you lose, I can MAYBE KINDA grasp that, but cmon, you WON.

Dionysus · #8 11-25-2002, 03:45 PM

Riots are cool, huh huh huh, yeah yeah!

I would participate in one.

KSig RC · #9 11-25-2002, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
I don't understand why riots break out. It's ridiculous. Like I said before, Michigan has more class than to do these stupid acts.[/color]

No way.

You've obviously never worn opposition colors in the Big House - in fact, have you EVER been there?

Class doesn't spring to mind, with some of the memories I have of Michigan fans, both at home and on the road . . .

The bottom line is that every team has a stable of asshole fans, and they're the ones that give a bad name. Don't assume that your team's fans are 'better' than OSU's simply b/c you are among their numbers, and don't make blanket generalizations about "class" - you make yourself sound bitter.

DeltAlum · #10 11-25-2002, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AOX81
I was down there and a lot of the problems were police induced. I really don't understand the part about the police arresting people for open container...everyone had an open container.

I've seen and been caught in so called "Police riots." On the other hand, if no laws were broken, the police presence wouldn't be strong enough to "induce" these problems.

Chicken or Egg?

On the open container, it's illegal in Ohio. What is most likely is that it is an easier charge to prosecute than something else the subject might have been doing.

In this day and age, probably most of those arrested will get a slap on the wrist, plea bargain or dropped charges. Those caught on videotape inciting or damaging property will be in much more serious trouble if/when they're identified.

Dionysys, riots may seem cool until the first time or two you get pepper gassed -- or hit with a bottle, brick or rock. However, I suspect you may be teasing us just a bit. If not, be sure you know whereof you speak before putting yourself in that kind of situation.

PM_Mama00 · #11 11-26-2002, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSig RC

No way.

You've obviously never worn opposition colors in the Big House - in fact, have you EVER been there?

Class doesn't spring to mind, with some of the memories I have of Michigan fans, both at home and on the road . . .

The bottom line is that every team has a stable of asshole fans, and they're the ones that give a bad name. Don't assume that your team's fans are 'better' than OSU's simply b/c you are among their numbers, and don't make blanket generalizations about "class" - you make yourself sound bitter.

Actually, I've had season tickets for the last 3 years. Thanx for questioning that.

And yes. I've been to OSU and MSU games in the beloved Big House. Marshmellows are thrown. That does not even COMPARE to burning couches, overturning cars, and trashing the streets. Maybe the drunken fans in the stadium don't have enough class to not throw marshmellows-- I've been thrown a few at my friends sitting in the next section. But Wolverines have more class than to turn their neighborhoods into a warzone.

And to AOX... I understand what you're saying about those unruly fans. That's ridiculous also, but it still doesn't compare to the riots.

If a riot one day breaks out in Ann Arbor, then fine I've been proven wrong. But until then I will be proud to say that Wolverines are good winners and losers.

#12 11-26-2002, 04:06 AM

I just don't understand why it's cool to destroy your town when your team wins a big game.

I've been coming to A&M football games since '93. I've seen us win a couple SWC championships on Kyle Field, seen us defeat #2 Nebraska in 1998, come from 15 down in the 4th quarter to defeat OSU in overtime in '97, win a Big XII title in '98, and most recently defeat #1 OU at home.

The things in common with all of those big wins? The goalposts at Kyle have never come down, College Station was never looted, and there were never riots.

I'm not tryin to say that A&M is a better school than Ohio State, but i don't understand the 'rioting rationale' that thier students had. Granted A&M has not been completely free of post game altercations, but those have been on isolated incidents and if you ask my opinion are well justified (re: NU fan on Kyle this year).

IMO any fans that tear down goalposts are just a bunch of 'classless clowns' that reflect poorly on their university.

Kitso
KS 361 points we could score on tu at Kyle Field and the goalposts wouldn't have come down.

KSig RC · #13 11-26-2002, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PM_Mama00

That does not even COMPARE to burning couches, overturning cars, and trashing the streets. Maybe the drunken fans in the stadium don't have enough class to not throw marshmellows--

Hmm . . . how about when I observed certain Michigan fans:
-throwing batteries
-throwing cans/bottles (in the stadium)
-unruly after the game (arrests made)
-starting fights outside the stadium (not to mention bars)
-generally being "classless clowns"

That's just anecdotal evidence, though - you've seen one way, I've seen another, neither counts for a lot in my book.

My point is simply that every team has a time when the fans act like tools - there's nothing positive that comes out of your (or Kitso's) soapboxing, b/c it will happen to your team someday. It's unfortunate - but I don't feel this reflects poorly on the academic institution, or allows you to make condecending remarks about all OSU fans.

PS - you know why UMichigan doesn't have a live wolverine at home games, right?

#14 11-26-2002, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSig RC

Hmm . . . how about when I observed certain Michigan fans:
-throwing batteries
-throwing cans/bottles (in the stadium)
-unruly after the game (arrests made)
-starting fights outside the stadium (not to mention bars)
-generally being "classless clowns"

That's just anecdotal evidence, though - you've seen one way, I've seen another, neither counts for a lot in my book.

My point is simply that every team has a time when the fans act like tools - there's nothing positive that comes out of your (or Kitso's) soapboxing, b/c it will happen to your team someday. It's unfortunate - but I don't feel this reflects poorly on the academic institution, or allows you to make condecending remarks about all OSU fans.

PS - you know why UMichigan doesn't have a live wolverine at home games, right?

I mentioned 2 things particularly,
*tearing down goalposts
*rioting

While i'm sure that there are Aggie FANS out there that may be considered bad fans, maybe even engaging in the activities you attributed to Michigan, my point was that i'd never seen the 2 actions i mentioned above occur at A&M.

I was merely pointing out that not all schools react that way to a big win and I'm questioning the motives for acting in those particular manners. I don't think that it should become acceptable behavior and will be greatly embarassed if it does ever occur in College Station. The day that goalposts are torn down at Kyle and College Station is looted is the day that i cease to donate to A&M and take my Aggie Ring off for good.

The students who did these things and were caught on camera need to be held fully responsible. Students that were issued citations need to be held fully responsible. The administration needs to expel them, to set an example that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in the future.

I will continue to soapbox for my school and it's alumni/students, because i feel (most likely biasedly) that we have the best fans in the Big XII.

I now open myself up to anyone who's had a bad experience with Aggie fans.

Gig 'em,

Kitso
KS 361 points i hope we score on tu this Friday

KSig RC · #15 11-26-2002, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AggieSigmaNu361
[B]I will continue to soapbox for my school and it's alumni/students, because i feel (most likely biasedly) that we have the best fans in the Big XII.[/b[

This, surprisingly, I have no problem with - and it is most certainly biased - as that's how things work. As long as you're up front about the bias . . . but it's when people use their soapbox position to deleterious means with regard to other schools that I find fault.

I don't think it's appropriate to catagorize one group of fans in a general sense for the actions of a few - think "ALL KAPPA SIGMAS ARE RACIST BECAUSE THEY DRESSED IN BLACKFACE AT UT-KNOXVILLE!!!!" I find it to be a similar stretch to blame all OSU fans nationwide for the actions of some assholes who got drunk, and thought breaking things was a good idea - or to label it a 'classless institution' for it happening.

Besides, it's a moot argument as to "who has the best fans" - we're all using different measuring sticks anyway. Plus, we can't all have the '12th man' right?