OT - OSU students tear gassed by police

Submitted by bdsisme on

According to three user-conglomerated sites, OSU students partying in their annual "Woodfest" (i.e. a large block party) were pepper-sprayed / tear-gassed / hit with batons by police.  Defenders of the police's actions argue that the OSU students started throwing things at the police (which I would believe to be true without proof).

Reddit

Youtube

Twitter

 

Let the witty comments commence!

Cool One

May 15th, 2011 at 12:10 PM ^

Are you cheering for the alternative? I suppose the police should stand around and watch these morons "break stuff" while making sure these poor innocent kids don't get hurt.

ryebreadboy

May 15th, 2011 at 12:12 PM ^

Although it was warranted if the students actually were throwing things.  I find it pretty unlikely the cops just broke out the batons and pepper spray for the novelty of it.

I don't like unfounded accusations of police brutality.

Dudeski

May 15th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^

Look at this video. The police are not being attacked, and yet they are pepper sparying large groups of people who are standing still booing them. They are just indiscriminately sparying people on the sidewalk.

 

There's one kid in the middle of the street who seems to be aggresive, but it's not like they are using the spray to neutralize specific violent individuals. They are just spraying everyone on the sidewalk. This is indiscriminate violence. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcFcE2yrxE&feature=player_embedded

HAIL 2 VICTORS

May 15th, 2011 at 4:20 PM ^

You act like these students had applied and recieved the right to gather.  Here is how this works...

***You are drunk and part of a large crowd***

***Cop says. "Disperse immediately or you will be sprayed or jailed***

***You not only stay but boo and annoy cop***

***Cop is now pissed and pulls out pepper spray***

***You still refuse to leave and become more despondent***

***COP WINS***

EVERYTIME!!!

bryemye

May 15th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^

I'm about as certain those "students" were throwing stuff at police as I am the sun will come up tomorrow.

They're lucky it wasn't rubber bullets and tasers.

outwest

May 15th, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^

I would rather be hit with a taser than OC spray (pepper spray).  Once that 5 second shock is over, the pain is gone.  The OC spray that police use is water based and will reactivate every time water comes in contact with any spray that is on the skin.  So every time these students take a shower for the few days they will feel the sting.

 

the legend of …

May 15th, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^

This sounds like college students in general..I remember going to block parties on Arbor and Greenwood that had to be broken up by police. The biggest difference is the ability for immediate commentary such as iPhones, Facebook, YouTube, and twitter which were not available even 7-10 years ago.

Edward Khil

May 15th, 2011 at 12:11 PM ^

When I read "OSU Students" I was certain that they were demonstrating in support of the Arab Spring movement, not partying in support of "Woodfest."

Deep Under Cover

May 15th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^

A coouple of my roommates were there and from what they said any police force was justified.

I was walking home from the bars when suddenly every cop in Columbus had their siren on and were converging on a single location.  This morning I found out that the police had shown up to break up the party as it was getting out of hand.  When a large "patty wagon" showed up, the students started booing it and throwing crap at it, at which point the cops started using tear.

So, Cops 1, drunken students 0, which is fine by me.