Are you getting sick of The State News' coverage of the April 2-3 disturbances? Does the issue feel burnt out and tired? Well, we hope you're not tired yet. We know, as time goes by, your interest might wane, which might be just what police want.
Nearly two weeks after the disturbances, there are still no real answers from the East Lansing City Council, the university or law enforcement. Even simple questions such as how many chemical munitions or officers trained to use tear gas were utilized haven't been released. Perhaps we can help officials figure some of these things out with an equation: Amount of tear-gas canisters in stock directly before 'riots' - Amount of tear-gas canisters left in stock directly after 'riots' = Amount of tear-gas canisters used.
Even the total amount of damage - surely a favorite statistic for officials trying to convey how destructive students are - is yet to be accounted for. Our bet is that, unlike the 1999 and 2003 riots, which had damage bills costing tens of thousands of dollars, this time wasn't so catastrophic.
A meeting to organize accounts between the eight police agencies involved in the disturbances is scheduled on Monday. A report from that meeting is expected the week of May 2.
How convenient.
Call it a conspiracy theory, but it seems like police are hoping students' interest will die out before any significant findings are published. Perhaps they won't be able to speak out while they are knee deep in exam week. As The State News does not print during exam week, perhaps officials are banking on a nice, quiet acceptance of their report, not the outrage students might justifiably feel.
The State News' best efforts to expeditiously acquire information from police have been thwarted. After filing a Freedom of Information Act request with the East Lansing Police Department and the city of East Lansing on April 6 for information regarding preparation and planning, records of events from the night and complaints and correspondences afterward, the departments delayed the request an additional 10 business days. The expected delivery date of these materials is April 28.
From police, there is talk of a "possible" independent investigations into the matter, and the university is conducting its own, but both have yet to lay down their cards.
If you've seen the videos circulating on the Internet, the truth should be clear. See a lone person get taken down by pack of officers. See them gas tiny groups of people not causing problems. See them spray mace into the faces of those trying to approach them.
Law enforcement officers screwed up. They need to admit it.
However tedious this coverage of the April 2-3 disturbances might be, don't lose focus of its significance. Directly, the fate of your peers, who might be harshly punished for crimes they aren't guilty of, hangs in the balance. Symbolically, the reputation of the student body is at stake.
Most of you acted responsibly on April 2-3 and yet were fired upon by officers. In order to ensure a similar situation doesn't occur ever again, we need to press officials for answers and hold them accountable.
