"Without alcohol,
this situation would never have occurred."
24 Arrested; 14 cops hurt; $50,000 In Damage In Penn State Riot
(Ed. note: Again,
we couldn’t make this up. After the police violate the rights of peaceful marijuana
reform advocates, hundreds of drunks riot and attack the police. Will those who were
arrested be held on bail comparable to Julian Heicklen’s $50,000? Will they be put in
the same cell with him? When was the last time anyone heard of violent marijuana
smokers attacking the police? It is always the other way around. The police are the group
that most desperately needs an end to marijuana prohibition. Honest cops are among its
worst victims.)
See
Police Violate Smoke-Out
Protestors 1st Amendment Rights;
Heicklen Being Held On Excessive Bail, Violating 8th Amendment
and links
July 13, 1998
From The Associated Press and other sources
STATE COLLEGE, Pa.—Penn State University students and other young people hitting
the streets as bars closed early Sunday erupted into a riotous frenzy, clashing with
police, setting bonfires, vandalizing cars, and smashing storefront windows with
streetlight poles torn down by the mob.
Fourteen police officers were hurt in the 2 ½ hours of rioting by up to 1,500 people,
authorities said, and more than 20 people were arrested. Three storefronts and 33
streetlights were damaged. No looting was reported, although property damage was estimated
at $50,000.
"This is another example of the problem associated
with alcohol abuse," State College Police Chief Tom King said after order was
restored. "Without alcohol, this situation would never have occurred."
Scuffling started about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, as bars announced last call, among roughly
150 people gathered for a Frisbee game on a street lined by off-campus housing for Penn
State students, police said.
Within about 10 minutes, the rowdy crowd grew to about 1,500 after a trash can was
thrown into the street and set afire. As police tried to control the mayhem, the drunken
crowds rampaged through the streets, setting more fires and vandalizing cars, parking
meters, and street signs.
Rioters tore down streetlights and used the poles to smash
storefront windows and vehicle windshields. Injuries to officers ranged from burns and
broken bones to less serious injuries suffered from thrown objects.
"It was very ugly in terms of the crowd’s behavior toward police," said
Tom Harmon, director of Penn State police services. "The officers early on, when we
were just lined up across the road and before we moved on the crowd, took a lot of flying
objects."
University police held 24 people Sunday, including at least 11 Penn State students, on
charges including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Rioters finally dispersed about 4 a.m., after state police and several area police and
fire companies joined local and university officers in crowd-control efforts.
Supported