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EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ryan Frank
EDITORIAL EDITOR
KameronCole
Stefanie Knowiton
Riots disgrace
Students
.and the.
University
Gicnanni Soli mem /Emerald
tut
Recent
student ri(>ts
across the
country’ are
prompted by
intoxication
and
stupidity
The
University is known for its
athletic program, top re
search facilities and Hal
loween riots. The first two attributes
enable students to feel a sense of
pride; the last characteristic should
not.
Yet another Halloween has passed
with students taking to the streets
throwing stop signs, lighting lamp
posts on fire and generally behaving
like idiots on Alder Street between
16th and 20th avenues.
And what is the point to all the ri
oting? Has there been an infringe
ment on students’ rights that every
one but the handful of rioters is
unaware of?
Unfortunately alcohol-induced
student riots are not unique to the
University or the nation. This is the
third Halloween riot here in three
years, and riots at universities na
tionally are a growing trend that ac
counts
for eight this year.
These riots seem to be
prompted by little more
than drunk students becom
ing violent. The Oregonian wrote on
Oct. 31 that recent student riots are
"the 1990s version of anti-war
protests.”
But what social injustice are stu
dents rioting against? Unlike anti
war protests that stood for ending
the Vietnam war, these riots are
prompted by intoxicated losers who
could not find anything better to do
on a Saturday night.
As students in the '90s, is this
what we want to be known for? Is
this our cause? We think not. There
is no cause behind these riots. It’s
blind stupidity, and that’s not some
thing we hope to be remembered for.
Before you decide for yourself, let
us quote some of the members of the
riot-for-the
sake-of-rioting movement.
“It all boils down to fun,” claims
Josh Connoloy, a visiting Portland
Community College student.
Well, if tear gas and getting arrest
ed is his idea of fun, then he certain
ly had a lot of it Saturday night.
Leroy Jenkins explains, “The cops
are just house Nazis. They think that
just because they wear a badge they
can do anything.”
Yeah, students throwing stop
signs at police officers is no reason
to get all upset.
Are these the chosen leaders of
our generation? As a student body
we should be outraged at this behav
ior. It degrades the name of the Uni
versity and all who attend. We need
to collectively take a stand against
rioting. It is embarrassing to the Uni
versity, the city and the state.
Although a number of students
have chosen to blame the police and
publications such as the Oregon Dai
ly Emerald and The Register-Guard
for their riot coverage that may have
given people ideas
for rioting, this
sorry claim tries to
excuse the rioters
from their behav
ior and shift the
blame. It’s a scape
goat.
While the Emer
ald or Guard's
coverage may
have brought back
the memories of
last year’s riot, it
can’t take the
blame. The Emer
ald is not a pup
peteer for rioters.
Sato
&Done
“Last year every
one was pissed at
the cops, this year
everyone is pissed
at each other...
This year it’s about
students’ stupidi
ty."
Ron Weaver,
University senior
“It all boils down
to fun.”
Josh Connoloy,
Portland Commu
nity College
student
“It’sall of 0tradi
tion. It's a part of
Halloween. We like
to have a good
time."
| Grant Blume,
| University
sophomore
“We're not making
too much noise.
They're looking for
an excuse. I mean,
this is how they
justify their pay
checks."
Matthew Putman,
University junior
‘The cops are just
house Nazis. They
think that just be
cause they wear a
badge they can do
anything.”
Leroy Jenkins,
unknown
i ne proDiem lies L__
in the actors. It’s
time to take responsibility for your
actions and stop embarrassing the
rest of us.
This editorial represents the opinion of
the Emerald editorial txxird. Responses
may be sent to ode@owg,on.uoregon.
edit.
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