Riot Police Cause More Problems

This video doesn’t show any police brutality or cops breaking the law but there are some very interesting points to be made.  The Maryland University basketball team had just beaten the #4 rank Duke Blue Devils and the student body hit the streets to celebrate.

The people in the video seem pretty happy and excited, not destructive at all.  I assume that’s how it would of ended had the Maryland Police Department not showed up, in full riot gear.  Which brings me to my first point.  Would it be safe to say that if the police had not shown up, wearing riot gear and on horse back, that most these folks would of headed to a bar, house party or gone home?  That the actual presence of the police is what causes these crowds to become destructive. What would you do if a bunch of people in full body armor were surrounding you while beating batons on shields.  I think most people would agree that you’d be a bit upset, just as these people were.  Jacob Frommer seems to agree with me stating, [they (police)] “caused the rioting, everyone would of went to the bars, instead they saw the riot police.”

Then there is the question of the damage.  All college towns have party areas, where all the bars, frat houses and what not are.  This seems to be where all the students assembled this time but when the police arrived they decided to start pushing them out of the area.  Forcing the mob to retreat.   Most likely trampling the landscaping of local businesses, smashing signs and windows for several blocks.  Had the police not shown up the party could of been confined to one area.  Instead it goes for block and blocks.

Now to the biggest point of all.  People, this was done to a few hundred college students celebrating a win by their basketball team.  The majority of the crowd were happy fans, just wanting to celebrate with others, even after the police showed up.  What do you think will happen when the crowd is 50 times larger and a hundred times more pissed off?  Had this crowd been more unruly you might have seen tactics that resembled the G20 Summit last summer in Pittsburgh.

This is a perfect example of why we shouldn’t allow police (or government) to be the only ones with guns, shields, tasers, pepper spray, ect.  For the fact that there could come a time when police aren’t using riot gear for unruly college kids but for non compliant citizens.  Ones who just want to live their life they way they choose.  To raise and educate their kids they way they feel fit.  Or spend their hard earn dollars on what they feel is best.  Instead of some bureaucrat in Washington DC who claims to be working for your best interest.