On Saturday, more than 8,000 people flooded the streets of Kingston’s university district for unauthorized homecoming celebrations, despite pleas from officials not to do so.
The “celebrations” began around 1:00 pm, after a heavy rain, where more than 2,000 people gathered on Aberdeen Street in less than an hour.
At 2:30 pm, Kingston police reported that a “volatile crowd” had gathered on Aberdeen Street, where an officer was injured.
While the “celebrations” were going on, an authorized online Homecoming event was taking place, hosted by CBC radio host Shaley Rodgers. However, this was clouded by behavior that became increasingly reckless.
At its peak, the media and police observed the attendance of approximately 8,000 people. People were seen “surfing” on a couch in the crowd, climbing trees and violating public health protocols.
The behavior was a complete departure from public health guidelines and from the instructions of Kingston Police and University officials. One home had a sign written on a sheet encouraging law enforcement officials to add their encouraging words in writing.
Once the crowd began to spiral out of control, Kingston police declared the celebrations an “aggravated nuisance gathering.”
“Anyone on Aberdeen St, as well as William St between University Ave and Division St can expect to receive an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) of $ 2,000 and be ordered to leave the area.” Kingston police said. “Anyone who disobeys can be arrested for obstructing the police.”
The big one briefly subsided until 10:00 p.m., when a large street party broke out at University and Johnson St. After some people allegedly started fighting police officers, a meeting of aggravated nuisances was called once again.
Once again the crowd dispersed and a short time later appeared in Victoria Park. More than 2,000 people were seen at this time, where the cars were seen vandalized.
The unauthorized welcome gatherings saw the largest number of police forces in the University District in years. Many applauded the app saying it was necessary under the circumstances.
However, the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, the association of undergraduate students, released a statement in which it states that they do not agree with the application for public health purposes.
“We do not agree with increased police surveillance of students as a solution to health care violations,” wrote the Social Affairs Commission of the Alma Mater Society.
“While the increased police presence is intended to enforce public health standards, it presents an increased risk of students being assaulted or mistreated by the police.”
The next day, Queen’s made a statement about the “reckless” behavior of many of its students and those from out of town.
“Despite the extraordinary efforts of our staff, student leaders, security, city officials, Kingston Police and emergency services, the past 24 hours have seen our community seriously disrupted by the reckless behavior of some of our students, as well as other people who came here for the sole purpose of causing trouble, ”wrote principal Patrick Deane.
They say they are now assessing the damage and working with student volunteers to clean up much of the trash left on the streets of Kingston.
Reference-ygknews.ca