In the wake of multiple institutional e-mails cautioning against it, after weeks of speculation on whether or not it would occur, and in light of spoken warnings from professors, a riot did not take place in East Lansing this weekend.

Although things certainly got ugly following the men's basketball team's loss to North Carolina on Saturday, police officially have retracted early assertions that a riot took place, and elected to call the events a "civil disturbance." We agree.

This was not a "riot" in the vein of 1999's fiasco, in which widespread burning and destruction took place. It wasn't even incredibly similar to the 2003 event, which was certainly destructive, if a bit more docile than the events of years before. No, MSU's "civil disturbance" of 2005 was initially more of a raucous gathering of students. It's curious, then, that police would respond to what they admit was not a riot in such an over-the-top, unwarranted and cruel way.

To be certain, there was inappropriate behavior on the part of students. An irresponsible, immature and idiotic minority took it upon themselves to start small fires, throw beer bottles and jostle cars, among other things.

But as destructive as this limited behavior might have been, it was no worse than the police actions that spurred it. Seeming to have their minds made up that the situation would ultimately turn ugly, police officers began launching canister after canister of tear gas at peaceful crowds. Rather than responsibly asking people to disperse, officers merely declared gatherings unlawful over a loud speaker and began firing roughly 20 minutes after the game ended.

The result of this police assault was far more mayhem than had taken place before the gas was used. Frantic students ran from the noxious fog, in some cases knocking over those in their path. Celebrants were rendered temporarily blind and many began vomiting due to the gas. Students who wanted only to go home were assumed to be "rioters" by police and were fired upon.

Of roughly 25 reporters and photographers The State News had out on assignment on Saturday, one suffered a fractured wrist after tripping and falling while fleeing gas, and another was struck in the head and knocked over by a gas canister launched at her. All were repeatedly gassed, though they were doing nothing but surveying the scene.

In one particularly cruel instance, police forced someone they'd apprehended to remain lying on the ground as they shot tear gas at bystanders. Although others could run, the young man being arrested had no choice but to inhale the fumes. Police watched as he vomited because of the gas. In another instance, an officer put a canister through the open window of an occupied car.

Officers also managed to disturb commerce downtown, launching tear gas canisters around open businesses such as Quality Dairy and McDonald's. Some customers were forced to stay inside these businesses until the gas dissipated, and people frequently sought refuge there.

This excessive use of force was wholly unwarranted. Students were abused by a police force that seemed to have its mind made up ahead of time to use as much gas as possible.

Simply put, the actions on the part of officers Saturday night are inexcusable. To pre-emptively shoot harsh chemicals at students because you think they might get out of hand is not police work - it's bullying.

This blatant abuse of power and authority is particularly disappointing because officers have demonstrated their ability to respond to students in a much more productive way. Following MSU's March 27 victory over Kentucky, police allowed students to celebrate before eventually breaking up the gathering in a responsible manner. They threatened to use tear gas at several points, but, wisely, never did. It was clear that the situation did not warrant it. It's puzzling, then, that similar gatherings on Saturday night were dealt with so forcefully.

What effects these events will have on the relationship between students and police is unclear. It seems certain, though, that police should answer for their actions. East Lansing police officials have so far claimed the gassings were strategic, not aggressive, but the facts suggest otherwise. Even Lee June, vice president of student affairs and services at MSU, stated that students had behaved responsibly and not provoked an attack.

Although June initially declined to comment on police actions, it's our hope that he and other MSU officials will speak out against the widespread gassing. Administrators who continually tout the destructive effects a riot can have on the university's reputation should have no choice but to come out against police who instigated much of the foul behavior.

Similarly, ASMSU should make its voice heard. As students' official representation, the body has a duty to ensure we are not pushed around for no reason.

Make no mistake, students are definitely responsible to a certain degree for how Saturday turned out. The mentality that rioting or similar behavior is an acceptable response to a basketball game is completely moronic.

Local police departments, however, seem to have a skewed mentality as well. It's up to us to send a message that their actions on Saturday were unwarranted and overboard.