"Those Days Are Over"

St. Patrick's Day celebrations turned into a riot in London, Ont., March 17, 2012. At least 11 people have been arrested, and police are urging others involved in the violence to step forward. (Karlie Rogerson Photography/Facebook.com)

Five hours of explosive excitement. What more could college students ask for than a drunken bash of that calibre? Young 'adults' from privileged backgrounds, away from home, living on their own in rented quarters close by the venue where they are receiving their academic credentials as educated elite in a free country. Even free countries don't appreciate raging mob action.

Students carousing is one thing, regrettable though it may be; a kind of rite of passage from living obediently and placidly at home with parents, to suddenly finding themselves free, free at last, good grief, free at last! To study the subjects of their choice with a view to finding their future through steady and well-remunerated employment so they too may eventually marry, buy a home, have offspring.

The endless cycle. So predictable. So boring, utterly without promise for those brimming with enthusiasm for real life. So then, real life was what Fanshawe College students demonstrated in their St. Patrick's Day green revelry. "Last night, London experienced the worst case of civil disobedience that our community has ever been subjected to", according to London Police chief Brad Duncan.

There, then, Fanshawe students have distinguished themselves. "Never, in my 32 years as a police officer, have I observed behaviours that escalated to the point that there was risk that individuals could seriously be hurt, or quite frankly killed", elaborated Chief Duncan. Well, if Queens University, that bastion of conservative academic prowess can host civility-bashing events, why not Fanshawe College?

There's just something about those ingredients: youth, alcohol, hedonistic freedom, that calls out for celebration and excess. Five hours where violence spewed its heady intoxication around Fleming Drive where students tend to house themselves adjacent the community college. Beer bottles, bricks and wood fencing and car tire rims, all useful objects to pelt police and fire fighters with.

Certainly geared to make the news; television coverage and front-page newsprint, though below the fold. The police felt it wise when they could make no progress in persuading the thousand or so rioters to cease and desist, to withdraw their presence. Those police vehicles not too damaged by rioters to move were sped away to the cheers of the crowd.

A CTV cameraman was busy filming the excitement, and then the ravening crowed turned attention to his vehicle, tipping it over, torching it, feeding tree branches, wood fencing and mattresses on the fire to create a satisfying blaze, until the vehicle's fuel tank exploded resulting in a wonderfully festive fireball.

Mayor Joe Fontana had something to say about the exciting presentation his city witnessed. "The day of thinking that Fleming Drive is a place where you can come to cause damage - those days are over. We will make sure this never happens again." Adults are like that, always prepared to spoil young peoples' fun.

Seems the administration of Fanshawe College is also prepared to behave abominably about this, over-reacting as adults are so wont to do, dammit. College president Howard Rundle has announced at a press conference that this kind of stupidity will not be tolerated. Eight students have been suspended.

More to come?