I believe I have the solution to the issue of "soft" cops that Tom Marshall wrote in about "'Soft' police officers overreacted to crowd" (SN 4/7). If the East Lansing Police Department is itching for some action, then a cop exchange program might help solve the problem.
It seems to me that the police were asking for students to congregate in the streets by erecting barricades throughout East Lansing.
After having read several stories about the actions taken by the East Lansing police, not all of which came from The State News, I have to make a comment.
As I ventured forth onto Grand River Avenue from my home on Stoddard Street following the basketball game on April 2, I knew that something terrible must have been happening.
The events of last Saturday exhibit a deeply disturbing blatant abuse of police power, but perhaps the worst part of the whole thing is the East Lansing City Council's lack of understanding of students' viewpoints.
I wanted to express how unfortunate it was to end a really great day at MSU with tear gas exploding in my face.
I am writing this letter in regard to the so-called "rioting" that occurred in Cedar Village on April 2-3. I was visiting some friends who live in the Waters Edge Apartments, and during the night I attempted to get some food.
I am shocked at how completely ignorant students are here at MSU. Tell me, fellow Spartans, does "celebrating with class" include throwing glass bottles at police, torching couches and tearing down street signs?
Instead of putting down a riot that never happened, the police department incited more fear, violence, and disorder than I have seen in four years at MSU. Apparently, the police are entirely without good ideas for dealing with riots because any tactics they used Saturday night represented utter insanity.
Sexuality is like skin color - it's something you can't change (unless you're Michael Jackson), so accept it.
It is unbelievable how poorly the students in the city of East Lansing are treated. Sure, there have been some mistakes in the past, but the actions taken by police and city officials have gone way too far this time.
To the police of the East Lansing area: Do you remember the spring of 2000? The night when Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson beat Florida and sent thousands of us into the streets to celebrate their achievements and bask in their glory?
The way that I see it, many students and alumni were celebrating what their Spartans had accomplished.
So, East Lansing law says that it is illegal for four or more people to engage in a riot, or assemble for a riot, and so on.
The recent melee between the East Lansing police and MSU students was a disturbing event. The police attempted to justify their actions by saying that they acted pre-emptively in order to put a halt to any potential rioting.
Much criticism has been leveled at East Lansing police (and the other police agencies assisting them) for the deployment of tear gas on April 2 while dealing with large crowds occupying the streets near the Ann Street Plaza and in the Cedar Village area following the Spartans' loss to North Carolina.
The April 2 melee most closely resembles the Stanford Prison Experiment, where after only two days, mentally stable college students became rioting prisoners and sadistic guards.
Having attended MSU from 1998-2004, I have witnessed my share of riots and celebrations firsthand. With the exception of the 1999 riot, all have been created or prevented by the oppressive cowboy antics of an overbearing police force.
To the Spartans women, Warrior poets with the hearts of lions and the giddiness of girls. Thespians in a simple drama unfolded to reveal all that is best about humanity and all that is best about sport.
On Saturday night, the East Lansing Film Festival was hosting a reception for all of the filmmakers who attended the festival from all over the country in an art gallery at the corner of Abbott Road and Albert Avenue in downtown East Lansing.