Students gathered outside John Quincy Adams house at 1130 p.m. on Sunday night after Osama bin Laden was killed. As they waved American flags and sang the national anthem the Umass Amherst community came together to celebrate the justice our nation finally gained after the terrorist’s death. As the evening conitnued more and more students arrived at what was suppose to be a patriotic celebration. However as the crowd grew, the purpose of coming together quickly escalated from a celebration to a somewhat of a riot.
Although the intention began innocently, with many people gathered the purpose drifted. Students began yelling irrelevant chants as five students climbed on top of Berkshire dining hall. Fireworks went off between the southwest towers inevitably stirring up the crowd. Cops eventually broke up the event at around 230 am.
Enthustiatic about the symbolic meaning of bin Laden’s death, I too participated in the gathering. I hugged my friends and celebrated the strength of our country. I thought it was pretty awesome to see the entire southwest residential area invaded with students. As the night continued however, I wondered if everyone’s intentions were the same as mine.
I think it was wonderful to witness such a vital moment in history but I found it a bit upsetting to see some students abuse this moment in order to go a little crazy.
