I have just never understood this "we win riot" thing as opposed to the "fill the streets and wave flags and kiss police" thing... from today's Toronto Star:
Confrontations between rowdy hockey fans and police last night following Canada's 3-2 victory over Finland in the final of the World Cup of Hockey left several officers with minor injuries and several fans in custody. According to police, 19 people were arrested on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and alcohol-related charges. After the game, a throng of rowdy fans made their way from the Air Canada Centre up Bay St. and onto Front St. across from Union Station. A number of fans began jumping up and down on taxicabs and crowds rocked cars back and forth. Five officers received minor injuries trying to subdue the most aggressive fans, including cuts and bruises. One officer was punched, according to police at 52 Division. The extent of the damage was contained to a flipped taxi, though fans rolled it back right side up, police said.Though I loath the "how Canadian" stuff, putting the taxi you rolled in a riot back in place is a pretty good example of the nice nation.
Comments
Ben - September 15, 2004 12:42 PM
Things were quieter here in Ottawa although I did follow a crowd of about 200 from Parliament Hill to the American embassy to the CutyTV/New RO station. Along the way a newspaper dispenser or two was knocked over. both times the offender was yelled at by the group and the dispenser was put back in its place. Very charming.
SayNay? - September 15, 2004 6:12 PM
BTW, for the uninitiated, if you think this is a TO phenom and that people who live in B.C. for instance, are "laid back, dope smoking pacifist tree huggers", just google "Vancouver" together with "riot"! Now your talking "fans gone wild" baby!
Ben - September 15, 2004 8:55 PM
Vancouver only riots when their team loses though. It takes Torontonians to riot after a win.