Madison's Halloween bash ends in violence -- again

[Hoss68]

Allie Shah, Star Tribune
November 1, 2004

MADISON, WIS. -- For the third straight year, Madison's Halloween-weekend street party ended violently and with police in riot gear.

Early Sunday morning, about 5,000 people gathered and some revelers fought with each other, started a bonfire and broke three windows on or near State Street -- the mile-long pedestrian mall that is the site of the annual bash.

Police estimated that the crowd peaked at about 70,000 Saturday night.

No one was seriously hurt, but hundreds felt the effects of pepper spray used by police to control the crowd.

Of the 252 partyers arrested Saturday night, 49 were Minnesota residents, according to preliminary numbers released Sunday by Madison police.

The perception in Madison among some residents and community leaders is that their once-peaceful Halloween party has been marred by out-of-towners. In recent years, thousands of costumed college students and others from across the Upper Midwest have flocked to Madison on Halloween weekend.

At a news conference Sunday, Madison leaders expressed their disappointment and disgust that once again the party turned frightful.

"When 5,000 people need to be cleared from the street using pepper spray and horses, when officers have to don protective gear because objects are being thrown at them ... this is in no way a successful event," said Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "The future of this entire event is now in peril because of the despicable actions of a few."

In 2002, police used tear gas and pepper spray to stop a riot during the Halloween party. In 2003, a smaller disturbance erupted when partyers flipped two cars and smashed several store windows.

[AT3Weins]

Pretty disgusting and petty if you want my opinion. "Hey let's go start a riot at that Halloween party". "yea dude it'll be cool".

I think the cops should use flash bangs Maybe get one or two of those port-a-potty trucks and revers the pumps so they spray the **** all over the crowd No more violence

[Hoss68]

Gotta take in to consideration what happened in Boston too. Innocent bystander killed.

[Woodmonkey]

That's not good. Can they limit the number let in? Require pre-registration? Is that legal?

[scott.voigt]

Originally Posted by Woodmonkey

That's not good. Can they limit the number let in? Require pre-registration? Is that legal?

But the mall is public property isn't it? They must have some sort of permit to organize this thing. They'll have to have tighter reigns. Either that or cancel the event, take your pick. I say conscription for all who are arrested...LOL

[BrianK]

On the positive side Moveon.Org didn't put an ad together to blame what happened on Pres. Bush.

[USMC5831]

Some people just never grow up. stupid stuff happens like this all over the world due to immature men and women who need to gorw up and act their age and not their IQ