Michigan State University student riots

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Notable Michigan State University student riots occurred during the late 1990s and early 2000s (decade).^[1]

1999 riot

A riot took place on and around the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan on the night of March 27, 1999.^[2] Following a loss by MSU's basketball team to Duke University in the NCAA Final Four, between 5,000 and 10,000 students and non-students gathered throughout the outside of campus.^[3] Later assessments of damages range from $250,000 to near $500,000.^[1][4] 132 people were arrested, including 71 students.^[1][5]

A number of news media organizations captured footage of the riot. The Ingham County prosecutor’s office issued subpoenas for this footage; the Lansing State Journal refused to comply and ten other organizations followed suit.^[6] Michigan’s shield law was at issue.^[6] The case wound its way through the state court system. In September 2000 the Michigan Supreme Court upheld their right to withhold the recordings.^[7]

As a result of this riot, a state law was passed giving judges the discretion to bar students convicted of rioting from public colleges for up to two years.^[4][8]

Riots in 1998 and 2005

Though the March 27, 1999, incident was the most serious of the campus riots during this time, it was not the first or last incidence of civil disturbance:

• May 1, 1998: An estimated 3000 students protesting the ban on alcohol at Munn Field tailgate parties resulted in police firing tear gas at the crowd. The gathering was planned in advance by an email spread through the student body email system asking students to gather and protest the ban. The university police informed students, via the school newspaper, that anyone getting on Munn Field would be arrested for trespassing. One student crossed the fence and was arrested by campus police. Shortly thereafter, 30-40 students crossed the fence and when the remaining students saw the police unable to arrest everyone, approximately 1,500 students poured over the fence on Munn field. The students played football, frisbee and played in the rain and mud. The police then tear gassed the students, who then left and went to the University President's (M. Peter McPherson) house. When the students learned the President was not available, they then went to Grand River Ave, and a small riot ensued.^[9] The students were tear gassed for mooning the police.

• April 2, 2005: An estimated 2,000 students and non-students took to the streets immediately following the men's basketball team's loss to UNC in the NCAA Final Four, causing an estimated $8,275 in damage to the city of East Lansing and costing area law enforcement an estimated $190,389 in expenses. The April 2nd event was marked by accusations of police abuse and mismanagement. Though large segments of the disturbance were documented on video, no specific acts of violence were seen until after tear gas was launched at the students. The City Council formed a commission to review the events. The commission declined to assess blame to the students and police by a 5–4 vote.^[10]

Notes

External links

• The State News (UWIRE): East Lansing Bans Some Michigan State Students from Town After Riots
• April 2, 2005 riot
• April 2, 2005 riot
• IN RE: INVESTIGATION OF MARCH 1999 RIOTS IN EAST LANSING. Supreme Court of Michigan. September 26, 2000.