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Students Riot Over Paterno Ouster

Angry kids throw rocks at police, overturn news van

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2011 5:40 AM CST | Updated Nov 10, 2011 7:21 AM CST

(Newser) – Thousands of Penn State students rioted last night, tearing down light poles, throwing rocks and firecrackers at police, and overturning a news truck in a show of anger over the university's trustees firing of coaching legend Joe Paterno, reports the New York Times. “Of course we’re going to riot,” said one aerospace engineering student. “What do they expect when they tell us at 10 o’clock that they fired our football coach?”

Students started gathering peacefully in front of Penn State's main administrative building around 10pm, but as the crowd grew and moved off campus, it also grew more angry and violent. Just before midnight, police lost control of the crowd, and as violence flashed, they responded with pepper spray. Police finally broke up the riot around 1:30am. The owner of one store stood outside of his shop, guarding it from the melee. “I’ve been in State College for 42 years and I’ve never seen anything like this; this is uncharted waters,” he said.

Police hold back students after they reacted off campus Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in State College, Pa. to Penn State board of trustees firing of football coach Joe Paterno Wednesday.
Police hold back students after they reacted off campus Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in State College, Pa. to Penn State board of trustees firing of football coach Joe Paterno Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Police try to control students and those in the community as they fill the streets and react after football head coach Joe Paterno was fired during the Penn State Board of Trustees Press Conference.
Police try to control students and those in the community as they fill the streets and react after football head coach Joe Paterno was fired during the Penn State Board of Trustees Press Conference.   (Getty Images)
Penn State students Ryan Smith, Brennan Pankiw and Jared Hook clean up the broken glass and debris along East College Avenue in the early morning hours on November 10, 2011 in State College.
Penn State students Ryan Smith, Brennan Pankiw and Jared Hook clean up the broken glass and debris along East College Avenue in the early morning hours on November 10, 2011 in State College.   (Getty Images)
Police try to control students and those in the community as they fill the streets and react after football head coach Joe Paterno was fired during the Penn State Board of Trustees Press Conference.
Police try to control students and those in the community as they fill the streets and react after football head coach Joe Paterno was fired during the Penn State Board of Trustees Press Conference.   (Getty Images)
Hundreds of students gathered about two blocks from the campus, with some chanting We want Joe! We want Joe!
Hundreds of students gathered about two blocks from the campus, with some chanting "We want Joe! We want Joe!"   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Some shook a lamp post and others tipped over a news van, kicking out its windows. Police fired bursts of pepper gas.
Some shook a lamp post and others tipped over a news van, kicking out its windows. Police fired bursts of pepper gas.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Police hold back students after they reacted off campus Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in State College, Pa. to Penn State board of trustees firing of football coach Joe Paterno Wednesday.
Police hold back students after they reacted off campus Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in State College, Pa. to Penn State board of trustees firing of football coach Joe Paterno Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A student is taken into police custody Thursday Nov. 10, 2011 following Penn State students and others gathering off campus.
A student is taken into police custody Thursday Nov. 10, 2011 following Penn State students and others gathering off campus.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Hundreds of students gathered about two blocks from the campus, with some chanting We want Joe! We want Joe!
Hundreds of students gathered about two blocks from the campus, with some chanting "We want Joe! We want Joe!"   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
People view a mural where the image of Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State defensive coordinator who was accused of molesting eight boys over 15 years, was painted over and replaced with an empty chair, left, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in State College, Pa.
People view a mural where the image of Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State defensive coordinator who was accused of molesting eight boys over 15 years, was painted over and replaced with an empty chair,...   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 46 comments
Truth777
Nov 10, 2011 9:50 PM CST
Joe Paterno is insignificant. Jesus accomplished more during his time on earth.  
Gonzo_Wilhelm
Nov 10, 2011 4:06 PM CST
It is an an important lesson for us all.  While I do not think that Paterno is as evil & corrupt as some are making him out to be ( He did not try to cover anything up. He did report it when it came to light to him.) He should have gone straight to the police & not his bosses.Understandably after such a disgusting thing is reported folks are going to be out for blood. & I think Paterno is more scapegoat than villain. But I think this whole mess has truly emotionally devastated him. These students need to realize that acting like drunks destructive idiots is not going to change anything. They should feel bad. Some one they looked up to made a foolish error in judgment & was as a result terminated. Move on. Focus on the actual monster who abused those boys & the folks who chose to look the other way.
Boba-jef
Nov 10, 2011 11:15 AM CST
http://www.freep.com/assets/freep/pdf/C4181508116.PDF - Grand Jury Indictment of Jerry Sandusky Success With Honor?
US • Sports

 
Penn State • riots • Penn State Nittany Lions • Joe Paterno • student protests • Jerry Sandusky • Penn State sex abuse

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