Rioting reflects poorly on all involved; should not happen at Central-Western Weekend
There has not been a major uproar of violence or rioting during Central-Western Weekend in several years, and hopefully fans and attendees will keep it that way.
With riots breaking out in downtown San Francisco after the Giants’ World Series win Monday, we are reminded how quickly large groups of people can allow excitement and group mentality to overtake them and how quickly a situation can turn violent and destructive.
As reported by the San Francisco Examiner, bonfires were started in the street. Cars were driven through crowds and in turn destroyed. Graffiti was painted everywhere.
Videos posted on www.youtube.com show the carnage as bottles were thrown, windows were smashed and people tried to tear street signs out of the ground. The news quickly spread as it was reported, with rioters even checking in from Mission St. in San Francisco on ww.foursquare.com.
This past weekend, a group of individuals broke windows of vehicles and then started throwing rocks at officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department after they came to break up a party with several fights.
In past decades, CMU was known nationally for its riots. Thankfully, this has more or less been phased out, but violence and destruction still crop up occasionally, not least of which during Central-Western Weekend.
CMU students should remember, as they represent their school against their rival, that they are in fact representing their school. Not only can rioting and vandalism bring legal repercussions on the individuals who partake in them, but will also mar the reputation of this university as a whole.
When a significant sports event is held, it is often hoped that the event will be the primary story.
In the wake of the riots in San Francisco, the Giants’ victory in the world series, the team’s first in 56 years, was rendered practically non-news. The city of San Francisco, the Giants and the fans thereof are instead shamed and embarrassed by stories of destruction, vandalism and mass hysteria.
It can only be hoped that fans of the CMU football team, as well as visiting fans from Western Michigan University, will be civil, respectful and celebrate calmly regardless of the outcome of the game.
