So Cedar Fest is making a comeback this year... riots?

[goodbar]

E.L.P.D. is drilling as we speak.....

[blanch32]

FTR, someone better get some hot video action going b/f the pigs start busting everything up.

....and dammit where's Winney!!

[spartanmike17]

i live in snyder and got this email. thought it was pretty interesting that it is THIS big of a deal


To the Residents of Snyder/Phillips and Mason/Abbott Halls,

There is significant hype surrounding the potential of a large scale event in
the Cedar Village Apartment complex. The event, known as Cedar Fest, is
scheduled to occur Saturday, April 5 beginning in the morning. There is
concern that students may assemble unlawfully and or engage in behaviors that
would be disruptive or dangerous. For the safety of the community, the East
Lansing police has set up additional patrols in the area.

Because of the proximity of your residence hall to the Cedar village apartment
complex, we want to remind you of a few safety related measures:

1) Please be aware that should large crowds assemble, the staff may lock down
the building earlier than usual. It is important that you remember to carry
your ID.

2) Should the behavior of the Cedar Village residents become unruly, the police
may be forced to take measures to disburse the crowd. In as much as you can
comfortably do so, it may be wise for you to keep your windows closed
tomorrow.

3) Some residence may become curious about the event. As indicated in a
university press release, it is unwise to attend this event. Students engaged
in unlawful behaviors may face significant consequences.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we endeavor to keep you as safe
in your living environment as we can.

[goodbar]

Originally Posted by John Blutarsky

All volunteer police officers are being mobilized in the area. A family friend is one, and will be in riot gear on Saturday night. The pigs have already started the riot.

EL Police Commandant: "Who here has NOT fired tear gas at long hairs before? Anyone? Real quick for the FNG's: just load your cannister ~click!~ and aim for the girls first. Shouldn't be a problem, they're usually the slowest anyway."

"Let's mobilize."

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Very reminiscent of the 2005 assault by the ELPD.

[Sparty2QP]

ELPD is wishing they had those tear gas tanks they ordered from that Kettering student.

[No excuses, but...]

Why do people think that everyone wants to riot and cause damage? Sure, there are some people who think that might be a cool thing to do. Those people are called idiots. Theres no reason whatsoever that you can't have a huge party that goes well. Huge party does not = riot.

[Kerndaddy]

I was a freshmen spring 05, lived in snyder. So much tear gas i had a hard time breathing in my dorm room.

[Three Putt Par]

Originally Posted by Kerndaddy

I was a freshmen spring 05, lived in snyder. So much tear gas i had a hard time breathing in my dorm room.

So much for the police protecting the people

[Snake Plissken]

Originally Posted by spartanmike17

2) Should the behavior of the Cedar Village residents become unruly, the police
may be forced to take measures to disburse the crowd. In as much as you can
comfortably do so, it may be wise for you to keep your windows closed

tomorrow.

[Kerndaddy]

Originally Posted by spartans134

So much for the police protecting the people

I watched the basketball game at the breslin center, then walked back to see the scene, it was crazy, police in riot gear, the whole 9 yards parked in front of my dorm. we had to enter though phillips because snyder was locked down.

I'm glad I live on beal street, I'd hate to be in CV tomorrow.

[Kerndaddy]

in 05 it was a billion degrees outside, of course i take blame for leaving my window open, but i had no idea i'd get back and it would be an issue.

[SpartanGreen78]

Originally Posted by No excuses, but...

Why do people think that everyone wants to riot and cause damage? Sure, there are some people who think that might be a cool thing to do. Those people are called idiots. Theres no reason whatsoever that you can't have a huge party that goes well. Huge party does not = riot.

Historically...you're very wrong.

Of course there are drunk idiots. Those drunk idiots do something stupid like light a beer carton on fire and everyone crowds around and laughs. Then drunk idiot #2 decides that a beer box isn't cool enough, so he and his drunk idiot buddies drag out a couch and light it on fire. As the crowd gathers, people realize they're more anonymous, and they start playing along as well.

That's the point where the cops who have been observing at the ready decide to end it before anything more occurs, which causes the flash point before it finally dies down.

It's happened every time in my recollection except once---April 2000.

And I assume it's going to happen this time because it doesn't seem like students seem to care. It's more about exercising your "right to be drunk and stupid and miscreants" and damn the man and the pigs, we'll do what we want, right?

[smosuup]

I believe in 2003 when some cars were flipped after the Texas loss the cops were offering $500 for any picture that led to a conviction. In case anyone wants to try and take some pics, maybe make a few bucks tommorrow night.

[spartanNTX]

for posterity, wiill one of you students please show up dressed as a cartoon character? The shots of the giant whinne the pooh getting tear gassed from a couple of years back made laugh out loud

[maxemus]

Yeah lets see who can get on TV 1st out of you students

[Jaheab]

Originally Posted by spartans134

So much for the police protecting the people

I'm glad they were there to protect me during my overnight shift in the parking lot under the Marriott. I still have tremors imagining what could have happened with those 10 sorority girls taking refuge from the tear gas under there.

Thank god the ELPD was there to serve and protect me and dispersed those lunatics with a tear gas canister right next the booth I was sitting in

[bongajon]

Originally Posted by maxemus

Yeah lets see who can get on TV 1st out of you students

[maxemus]

Originally Posted by bongajon

YOU THA MAN!!!!

[WCS]

Originally Posted by BBB

It didn't happen in 2000 b/c it was the first time the cops weren't dicks. I was in CV that night, there weren't any cops in riot gear, just cops on horses monitoring everything, maybe giving out a MIP here or there.

The second they put on that riot gear, that changes everything.

And lets remember for a second why this is considered "unlawful" assembly. It's because there is now a law on the books in EL that says more than 5 people and a keg = riot. Absolutely ridiculous.

I have no problem with police. Bring in the cops on horses, have extra patrols, but leave the riot gear packed away.

do they mean riot in the bad sense or riot in the good sense? Because there have been times in life, were it's just me and maybe a few friends and we're drinking and laughing and just having a riot. Good times...so maybe the law is intended to show outsiders that people in East Lansing have good times and that if you come in and spend your tourist dollars here, you'll have a riot too.

[richwig]

Did the letter to Sny-Phi residents really spell it this way:

3) Some residence may become curious about the event. As indicated in a
university press release, it is unwise to attend this event. Students engaged
in unlawful behaviors may face significant consequences.

?!?!?!

(I actually thought the entire piece was measured and thoughtful. Maybe it was written in a hurry.)

[Spartyman14]

I want to go but don't want to get tear gassed I can't decide if I should go tonight.

[Bourbon Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Spartyman14

I want to go but don't want to get tear gassed I can't decide if I should go tonight.

I was originally debating that too.... but I figured what the hell, so I'm going and if something happens at least it makes for a story

[JMSparty08]

Originally Posted by Spartyman14

I want to go but don't want to get tear gassed I can't decide if I should go tonight.

Originally Posted by Bourbon Cowboy

I was originally debating that too.... but I figured what the hell, so I'm going and if something happens at least it makes for a story

If they start teargassing people, my apartment is open as a safe haven for people wanting to get out of the gas. I have to return the favor since in 2005 I got gassed walking back to the dorm and trapped between two battalions of ELPD storm troopers and someone was nice enough to invite me in to get away from it.

[ArtOfficial]

This wasn't going to be such a big deal until the administration and the city of East Lansing started flipping ***** over it. The letters to the residence hall kids, the emails to MSU employees, the mobilization of more police units than I think would have been necessary...they've let the students know that they're afraid, and like a cornered dog, I think the cops are going to overreact. If the police hadn't become so involved or given the event so much press, it would be just like any other busy night in Cedar Village. Instead, I'm afraid it's going to turn into a huge Us and Them thing, and Them will most likely use their resources in a way that the situation doesn't call for, because Them are afraid that Us will get a little too rowdy.