A party-turned-riot at the Cedar Village Apartments in East Lansing, Michigan, led to the arrest of more than 50 people on Final Four Weekend 2008. Those arrested will face charges including misdemeanor disorderly conduct and felony incitement of a riot, and could face expulsion, time in prison and fines.
Police used tear gas to break up the crowd of three to four thousand after bottles were thrown and many event-goers became disorderly. The riot took place very near the Michigan State University campus, although the school downplayed students' involvement. Just under half of those arrested were enrolled at MSU.
The party was organized via the Internet and was apparently an attempt to revive the "Cedar Fest" tradition of celebrating Final Four weekend; the event had been shut down since the Eighties due to out-of-control crowds.
Fast Facts:
- Party organized via Facebook
- Thousands attended
- 52 arrests
- 24 of those arrested were students
- 48 tickets issued
- Minor injuries reported
- Party held on private property
Michigan State Riot News and Video
- Topix.net: Michigan State Riot
- Google News: Michigan State Riot
- The Michigan Daily: Msu Police Use Tear Gas to Break Up Party (April 7, 2008)
- CedarFest was the collected effort of Michigan State students as well as East Lansing residents to celebrate the Final Four NCAA men's basketball tournament, apparently a time-honored tradition that had quieted in recent years but was brought back in full force for 2008.
- The Detroit News: 52 Arrested at E. Lansing Riot (April 7, 2008)
- WZZM 13 (Grand Rapids): Msu's Cedar Fest Violence Declared a Riot (April 7, 2008)
- YouTube: Cedar Fest 2008: Michigan State 101 (OFFICIAL VIDEO) (Time: 7:51)
- YouTube: Cedar Fest 2008 (Time: 1:54)
Michigan State Riot Blogs and Commentaries
Google Blog Search: Michigan State Riot
Kicking Ass In Ann Arbor: Riot at MSU.edu (April 6, 2008)
- Michigan State Riot is currently a stub, a brief collection of the best links for this story. The page will be updated as we find more information.
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