The day after the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in Vancouver Toronto Star sport writer Damien Cox wrote about the mayhem on the streets following the game. He offered that those who might assume that it was a small group of people involved in this anarchic behaviour have it wrong. Thousands were involved in street fights, looting, the burning of vehicles. CBC radio sports commentator Scott Regehr expressed his disgust at seeing a young guy assault an elderly man with a shopping cart full of bottles for no apparent reason. Fortunately several others came to the elderly man's aid, but it was one more ugly incident in a night of senseless violence. For what? The disappointment of the outcome of a game? Cox noted that he has seen other sports "riots" through the years but nothing compared with Wednesday night.
What a chilling example of destructive "group think" where people in a supposedly civilized culture can so quickly go on a senseless rampage. I am regularly aware of the nastiness and disdain directed toward religion these days as a useless and archaic form of social control. Well, this mob of mostly young adults is the product of our increasingly secular society. It sure wasn't a pretty picture. Perhaps they would have benefitted from a dose of oldtime compassion and a moral compass. Interesting that the individuals who attempted to stop the destruction were described in rthe media as Good Samaritans, a reference to a parable of Jesus about compassion.
Were you surprised by what happened? Thoughts?
3 comments:
Well said, David. It makes one wonder just what kind of upbringing these morons had.
These riots were repeatedly described as angry youth upset at the Canuck loss. I disagree.
All the coverage I saw revealed these youth laughing while torching and smashing vehicles. The same thing would probably have happened if the Canucks had won.
I was at the line with the tactical team during a Summit at Quebec City a few years ago, and it got nasty - bottles being thrown, fighting, etc. I seriously doubt any of those rioters had any interest in the actual Summit.
I think it is time that water canons be deployed en masse. Too many of these hooligans are fully expecting pepper spray to be used, and have their masks at the ready.
The sad reality is that people who want to go out and protest peacefully or, in this latest case, celebrate a great Canucks season, will be afraid to do so.
I think these idiots would have gone a rampage whether the 'Nucks won or not.
Interesting points, as always David.
I had hoped that this kind of baviour was in the past. You may remember back in the early 90's there was a rash of sports riots. Win or lose. I happened to be in Montreal back in 1993 the night the Canadians won the cup. (I was at the Expos game).
The anouncement was made at the Olympic stadium about the 7th inning that the Canadians won. EVERYONE left. I bet there wasn't 2 dozen people in the seats after that. By the time we left the riot was in full swing. We took the Metro to go down town to celebrate, but people kept pulling the emergency brake. We got off 3 city blocks from the Forum. It was surreal above ground. There were so many people on the street you could hardly move. People were dancing, cheering, having a good time, but under cover of it all someone was smashing every window on the street.
After closing the Hard Rock we came out to see the riot police form up a line with the shields, and SWEEP Bishop St. By sweep I mean beat down whoever challenged them. I can't blame them as they were dodging a hail of beer bottles, and whatever the mob could find to throw.
I do believe that there are an oppertunistic few that use the cover of a large crowd to smash and grab, then the drunk and stupid join in until it degenerates into a full-fledged riot.
Walked through the broken glass the next morning to purchase my comemorative T shirt at the Forum gift shop. 13 poilce cars still smoldering on St-Catherine St.
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