Lewiston-Auburn

Bates students rally to call attention to police brutality, misconceptions in media

Scott Taylor, Staff Writer

Lewiston-Auburn |

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 3:03 pm

LEWISTON — Bates College students held a rally on the steps of Hathorn Hall Wednesday afternoon to protest the police reaction Wednesday morning and what they called a history of intimidation.

"The actions that local law enforcement took and the blatant misrepresentation given out by the press have turned a mediocre night into a disastrous one," said Freshman Spencer Collet.

More than 100 students turned out to listen to Collet and sign petitions condemning police reaction Wednesday. Joe Musso, a Junior at the college, said the petitions would be turned over to college President Elaine Tuttle Hansen.

Police clashed with students drinking and partying in front of Smith Hall early Wednesday morning. They arrested 11 students charging them with disorderly conduct, failure to disperse and refusing to submit to arrest.

"This attention is extremely welcome because it gives us an opportunity to right these wrongs," Collet said. "Bates College has never been about inaction. We've never been about sitting idly as injustices are done and we've never been about incivility. We intend to use discourse and the legal system to get the justice we so dearly deserve."

staylor@sunjournal.com

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

hmmmmm

By 2sides, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 17:09

Let me get this straight....we; "townies" shouldn't post our biased opinions on here because this is between Bates and the LPD? So why are you on here giving your opinions? Sorry to hear about the Bates student killed years ago; I wasn't on this site back then and would've spoken out against it if I were! Last time I checked perfectly fine young men and women are doing stupid things like this. They're the ones who stayed out of it. No ones lives are perfect. I just hope they learn from the mistakes they made and us as well as themselves to move on.

Once again I'll say that my

By allstate99, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 15:59

Once again I'll say that my opinions do not reflect that of the batesies... I do not go there nor do I know anyone who goes there. If I were a batesie, I would just ignore all of this fabricated and unjust judgement, all because of one incident. I really don't understand why anyone other than Bates and the LPD should even care...everyone on this board should just keep their biased opinions to themselves and stop judging perfectly fine young men and women for one stupid night. I don't hear anyone on here talking about how a Lewiston townie stabbed and killed a batesie several years ago. If anyone should hate anyone, its Bates. This will be my last post, which I'm sure most of you will be fine with. Just try to keep in mind that your skewed opinions aren't as valuable as you may think they are. Leave the kids be and go live your "perfect" lives...

Brutiful

By allstate99, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 15:59

What allstate99 should also

By Brutiful Bates, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 08:43

What allstate99 should also recognize is that the five PDs also had bigger fish to fry. But they NEEDED to respond to this instead of protecting their own communities!

I'm not jealous. But I do hate to see my taxes tax dollars spent at Bates because a bunch of drunk rich kids who don't pay local taxes went to an institution that doesn't pay taxes because a bunch of spoiled rick kids wouldn't let EMTs render medical attention to someone else in need.

allstate99

By 2sides, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 08:37

In one whole paragraph you yourself laid judgment to everyone of the "townies" as being hypocritical. Quote; "everyone who has posted on this forum has made mistakes"; unless you knew each and every "townie" you can't lay claim to that. And to say that these students who worked hard to get into a top-25 institution is going to cure diseases and fix our economy is a bold statement. Unless you can see into the future you can't make that claim either. I'll put my money on the ones who left or were never there at all. Maybe you can help me understand how these particular students can be so educated yet have no common sense as to let the EMT's help the injured in need and disperse when asked by law enforcement. Just think; if this were (heaven forbid) your child the EMT's were trying to help would you still be supportive for the students or would you be supportive to the PD?

This is why cry babies

By Ginger1, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 07:45

This is why cry babies shouldn't drink booze.

A Rally?

By Greyhairbobcat, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 02:09

I'll just bet that the Lewiston police are just shakin' in their boots. A bunch of presumptous educated idiotic prima donnas actually think that they can effect change by holding a rally on the Hathorn Hall steps. In a couple of days they'll be out of town and back with mommy and daddy. The city of Lewiston will be a little quieter for it until September rolls around.

Actually sticking around town and trying to change things requires one to have the courage and commitment to do so. Historically, Bates students have been lacking in both for the past 40 years.

The exception

By Greyhairbobcat, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 02:11

The one notable exception to the above was Mayor Jenkins.

Town Gown History

By jimbo1955, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 00:16

This unfortunate event is part of a long tradition of tension between local police and college students wherever elements of authority, local pride, class-based resentment, and immaturity clash with youthful rebelliousness idealism , unwitting arrogance, and immaturity. Douse liberally with alcohol, spring weather and kaboom! Columbia '68 .... Colby '08... and Bates '10.

Unfortunately neither Bates nor Lewiston need the bad publicity that this incident will generate in these tough times (endowment down, unemployment up). Redoubled efforts to work constructively together - both town and gown acknowledging that their futures are inextricably linked - will hopefully transcend this setback.

Over The Top

By Brain, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 23:18

C'mon guys the local police used velvet gloves. In ancient times or some other cities, it would have been tear gas, police dogs, fire hoses, tazers, black jacks, and night sticks...(maybe you would like to deal with Detroit PD, NYPD, or Boston Metro PD).

It's not Selma, Alabama or Kent State. You should kiss your butt you lost your cool in Maine.

It's over...

Education is a good thing...

By outofmainer, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 23:01

Unfortunately, Bates' students are getting an education in police abuse. Why does the community have such anger towards the students. Jealousy?

Hardly

By KStern, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 23:11

Jealous of what? Mini-adults who are too busy defending their own faulty logic to admit their mistakes?

Let's be clear - the community is not "jealous" of these students. They are tired of the widespread disrespect exhibited by the rotten few.

verified

Liberals Arts Hypocrisy on Show

By Andrew Hall, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:46

Think of this. If a group of 200 local Lewiston residents had a party in the gated security development where these Bates' students parents live, how long before nightsticks, tear gas, and tasers would be put to full use? About 30 seconds max. Wealthy Mommy and Daddy live in locked communities to avoid contact with scary lesser beings. Yet the spoiled brats label US the bad guys for not letting them block ambulances or trash neighborhoods. The LPD doesn't kiss their buts, and that goes against every sense of superiority and entitlement these elist brats have come to expect. We need to counter protest them starting riots in our town, and disrespecting the people who act as their hosts.

this is comical.

By jollyrancher, unverified — Fri, 05/28/2010 - 11:21

this is comical.

Rich or poor, young or old, it doesn't matter.

By bates11, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:41

Hello, I am a student at Bates. First of all, I'm sorry if people out there feel the need to stereotype in general- whether you are a "townie" or "rich kid". The issue is whether the students truly assaulted the police via allegedly breaking the officer's leg (although I do believe that the force used was excessive; that of course depends on whether they are proven guilty). Please remember that this is graduation week, and although this is still no excuse for rowdy behavior, a situation to this extent rarely happens on our campus. Even more so, this is a college campus- and these circumstances are bound to happen anywhere.

Lewiston Police/Thugs

By outofmainer, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:14

I am amazed at how many people just blindly support the police. Having grown up in Lewiston I have never had a good experience with the police. They are seemingly without exception a bunch of ignorant thugs. Without out a gun and a badge what do they got?

It is not to say that the people are the party are completely innocent, but, if you have ever been unfairly harassed by the LPD then you understand where the bates' students are coming from.

Just because the community likes to stereotype bates' students a certain way, does not mean that the police have the right to abuse their power.

I'd like to apologize to the Bates students for having to put up with such a sad police department.

I wonder....

By KStern, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:21

You know....I have never been harassed by a police officer. How does that just happen to someone who is minding their business and abiding by the law? It seems to me that you will have negative interactions with the police if you are engaged in behavior that warrants negative interactions with the police.

Even then, you will only be the recipient of negative interactions with the police if you choose to challenge their authority.

Eh, what do I know. I am, by all accounts, ignorant and poor because I was born here...and choose to live here...and raise my children here.

rich kids comments are just annoying

By Octavius, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:51

I am a Bates student, who was far from the incident last night, and I just felt like clarifying to the community that the majority of students at Bates are not the rich brats that you think they are. I have fairly little money and am attending Bates on a reasonably large scholarship/financial package, which is the case for money other students here as well. I don't have a whole lot to say about the altercation itself other than it was just a drunken mistake by a handful of students and their actions obviously do not reflect the feelings of the majority of campus. Both sides seem to be at fault in some ways, and I don't believe that it warrants a petition. The whole incident is kind of embarrassing in general and I hope it just blows over soon. In general, the LPD gives Bates the space it needs and when they do show up, students usually respect their wishes. This was very uncharacteristic of the Bates community.

Video

By armymom, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:19

With all the video capabilities of cellphones and all the cameras people carry around these days, my money is, there is a lot of footage out there of what really happened last night. I would love to see that video. A picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth millions of dollars. If that video doesn't show up at TV stations it certainly will be showing up in court.

Police officers were

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:44

Police officers were aggressively targeting people taking pictures and/or video, so a lot of people who had them left in fear of being arrested (and dare I say man-handled in the process).

News media likes a strong lead

By Lifeishard, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:11

I have little faith in the news media. Strong leads sell papers and bring viewers. Are they working to present an unbiased truth? No. However, pictures of smiling college kids in handcuffs speak for themselves. Abused? They sure look proud of themselves.

On a weekend where Bates should be celebrating commencement and congratulating the class of 2010, the talk will instead focus on this incident. How sad.

The bottom line is that campus security had to call for help. Focus on police behavior all you want but the fact is that if you respected your campus security and dispersed at its request, NONE of this would have occurred.

This is a tough lesson learned. The pictures and arrest record will follow these people (I refuse to call them kids because many at 22 or 23 are serving our country, raising families and working as valued members of our communities.) You can try to blame it on the alcohol but adults are held responsible for their actions.

Well, I would agree with the

By allstate99, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 20:22

Well, I would agree with the fact that someone's success should be judged on how they treat people and their overall character. I don't go to Bates, I just find it hard to believe that "townies" think they have the right to come on here and bash batesies for one incident. Although it may cost 50 grand a year to go there it does NOT mean they are all rich "brats." So my question in return is this: If you guys are so biased to just assume that all batesies are rich brats, do you consider yourselves the model of success? Its just comical to read some of these hypocritical posts. The next time you decide to judge these kids, just try to think about how hard they worked to get into this top-25 institution and will go off to cure diseases and fix our economy... Everyone who has posted on this forum has made mistakes.

In my opinion, it must also be noted that even though someone was charged with aggravated assault (in the case of the officer's broken leg), that does not mean the kid actually assaulted the officer. If the student was running from the police and the injury occured in the pursuit of this student, then the student can be charged for the assault. While I have no idea of that's what happened, and if it did then he shouldn't have been running, but it is still not as bad as actually assaulting an officer.

really? because on the news

By mainerunr, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:45

really? because on the news (not in the paper) they said some loser Batesy broke it while resisting arrest (and hence is being charged with assault as well...

verified

Great Post 2sides. Family,

By Jerome Young, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:29

Great Post 2sides. Family, and values, and contributing to your community. We are all proud of having Bates here, I think they would be a little ashamed with this.....

Come on Townies a jealous ??

By joe public, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:27

Come on Townies a jealous ?? Id doubt that after spending over 200000 for an education Id really think they could party and do it with a little more class !! My son was accepted @ Bates Im glad he went else where !! bates is little more than a rich kids boarding school with a few token poor kids !! Its time the school ponies up and pays taxes. I dont know about them but I was taught to obey the Law respect the officer and if I was foolish enough not to Id face my father! Let alone the imbarassement of my family seeing my picture in the local paper drunk sad day !

no college in the united

By jollyrancher, unverified — Fri, 05/28/2010 - 11:15

no college in the united states pays taxes. You are truly lost. As for the above poster, you might be able to afford Bates, but if you are going "back to school," you wont be getting in...

We all appreciate the

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:46

We all appreciate the discussion here, but you completely void any meaningful comment you might have made by stereotyping Bates as a "rich kids boarding school" with "token poor kids." Leave your irrelevant biases at the door and talk about the issue.

townies?

By 2sides, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:13

@allstate99: I'm a neighbor of Lewiston; not a townie. Last time I checked I could afford to go to bates if I wanted to. Maybe someday I will go back to college. Me; I not looking for ways to put these kids down nor make them look bad. They're doing a great job of that on their own! Tell me allstate99; what do you call successful? Does it have to do with money? Or does it have to do with how you live and how you treat others? Is a person successful because he/she is rich from wealth or is it because his/her life is rich from family and values??

verified

I live on College St. and

By LJ Brown, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:05

I live on College St. and have Bates Students in my apartment building. For the most part they are quiet, nice young people. There have been some in the past where the police have been here many times for loud partying and each time the police were respectful to them.

In the past they have been fights outside in the street, public drinking (loud and obnoxious) and even an attempted assault on a young woman. Did the police over-react? I do not know as I am still learning what happened there. I know this isnt Kent state and this isnt 1970. Sounds like a little discretion on both sides is needed. Nightsticks? Should have left them in the prowl cars.

As far as being an observer, well, if you are told to disperse, then disperse. This means everyone and is usually for everyone's safety.

My question is: Where was campus security? Did they call the police?

What these Lewiston "townies"

By allstate99, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 18:12

What these Lewiston "townies" don't understand is that these Bates kids don't care what you think and that your opinion is erronious... No matter what kind of money background these kids may come from, they have bigger and better fish to fry. Every comment on here so far just reeks of jealousy. Don't hate on these kids for actually doing something with their lives. So they screw up every now and then, so what? This stuff happens daily at state schools all across the country. You people are just looking for any reason to put these kids down because you know that they will actually end up being successful in life... I mean I'd rather be getting charged with disorderly conduct instead of pushing meth and cocaine.

You're not helping our cause

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:47

You're not helping our cause at all with this.

If you're going to insult the residents of Lewiston,do so

By Irish Rogue, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:30

with correct spelling.It's "erroneous",for one,and look up proper use of ellipses. I am a "townie" with a state school education.I do not-nor have I ever-dealt drugs.I'm sure the best of us have screwed up from time to time,but we don't hold public rallies to defend our stupidity.

verified

Exactly the kind of attitude

By Shealie Metayer, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 18:47

Exactly the kind of attitude and disrespect of the "townies" that encourage your disgusting frame of mind. You will be a grown up one day and will know what it is like to deal with such disrespectful children. Good luck.

Exactly.

By KStern, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:02

I couldn't agree more, jstmine.

Haven's we seen this movie...

By Keitmo06, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:48

A rally happened over police brutaility at Colby last year because they were all drunk. Nothing came of that one either.

http://exceptionmag.com/news/

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:50

http://exceptionmag.com/news/law/000661/police-brutality-colby-college-m...
Are you sure about what you're saying?

Mommy and daddys little RICH

By casjom2, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:47

Mommy and daddys little RICH babies that think they can come to Maine and think they can do whatever they want, WELL you all should go home and suck on mama's tit if your going to act like babies. And whose money did they bail themselves out with is MAMA AND DADDY'S MONEY! GROW UP KIDS!

Honestly, statements like

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:54

Honestly, statements like these need to be left at the door. You do nothing but fuel the tension between Bates and Lewiston in the worst kind of way. Your ignorant bias only serves to reinforce the misconception at Bates that they are loathed by Lewistonites. Maybe taking a good look at what Bates does for the community would help reshape your image of the school. Or maybe realizing that there is a large proportion of students who receive financial aid go here would help. Or maybe realizing that admittance in to this school means that every student worked their asses of in high school would help you realize that money can't buy you everything. I honestly wish that ignorant people like you would stop posting on here so we could have an intelligent discussion about this.

One more thing

By batesstudent99, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:31

Anyone who wants to talk about Throwback Night being some little party and no harm being done should go ahead and take a look at Smith. Beer cans and vodka bottles all over the lawn outside and in the road, holes kicked in the walls on all floors, sh1t, piss, or puke EVERYWHERE, etc. People from 18-23 who act like they are 6 years old and can't handle alcohol or any semblance of responsibility. Grow up.

Now I know why Lewiston hates us

By batesstudent99, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:26

Some Bates students have the arrogance to talk about the police lying? Talk to the idiot students who were walking around today talking to news sources about things that didn't actually occur and making it sound like World War III. I was there. I saw what happened. One of my friends said he "wanted to get his name in the news" and then went and told a completely fabricated story to a reporter who was asking questions. As much as I hate police in general, I hate the kids I go to school with more now. What a bunch of pampered, spoiled brats.

There obviously were some police who were fairly zealous carrying out their 'justice'. Was anything over the line? NO. It makes me angry that I go to school with some of these entitled jerks who think that just because their parents are rich they can get away with anything, and that they're better than the place they now spend 9 months of the year. Look, I get it. I am a Bates student, and I think Lewiston is a dump. That being said, I don't have any more rights than a Lewiston resident. I hope every single one of the people who actually did something get punished to the full extent of the law, although I hope they let go the people who were arrested for just taking videos or things like that. Either way the arrogance of some people who I know fairly well makes me really angry and makes me realize why the people of Lewiston hate us.

Where to begin? "I get it."

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:08

Where to begin?
"I get it." What do you get? Nobody ever implied Lewiston is a dump. No one even said anything like that. We're upset at the way the Lewiston Police treated some of us. That's what this is about. Stop trying to assign heinous arguments to us and stick to the issue.

It sounds like you need to find new friends. The people I know who talked to any sort of media were 1. Either eyewitnesses of excessive force being used, 2. Victims of excessive force being used, or 3. Organizers who never made any evidential claims other than that the student body is concerned and wishes the stories of those involved to be brought to light. So if you're implying that people were lying just for media attention just because your "friend" did, you're making an ignorant generalization.

The argument has NEVER been that we are "entitled" to anything, or that we possess more rights than a Lewiston resident. As students here, we ARE Lewiston residents, and recognize that we have the same right to not be abused by law enforcement. Do you think that if some Lewiston residents were the victims of excessive force by the police, it would be okay because they're "just Lewiston residents?" You're doing nothing but fueling the fire that angers Lewiston residents by suggesting Batesies think they are superior. No one ever said this was about "entitlement."

The fact that you, and many other people on this forum, continually bring up the existence (or non-existence, as is the case for many) of the material wealth of Bates students shows that you cannot, and apparently will not discuss the argument at hand. Money has nothing to do with anything. Money has absolutely nothing to do with 1. the incident caused by students on campus last night, or 2. the excessive force used by police in reaction. This isn't a class war, don't turn it into one. This is about Bates students protecting their rights.

I would stay away from the word "arrogant," especially given your language. Within a couple of paragraphs, you boldly proclaimed that all Bates students were "entitled jerks" with "rich parents." Unless you work for the financial aid office and know every student's financial background, you have no idea what the economic situation of every student is - much less are you able to make a generalization from what little you could possibly know. That is arrogant of you. Within these two paragraphs, you also called Lewiston a "dump." Nobody speaking for Bates has said that, only you have. If that's not also arrogant, then I don't know what is.

Finally, if you dislike this place and its people so much, I strongly suggest you transfer. I'm sure you can find an institution of such caliber as Bates without all the "pampered, spoiled brats."

Someone's defensive

By batesstudent99, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 23:40

I get exactly what I said: I do not think Lewiston is nice by any stretch of the imagination, having lived here for nearly a year now and having done volunteer work here. I don't like Lewiston. It's economically depressed and has social and racial problems that are ongoing. I do think it gets a bit of an unfair rep, but nevertheless it won't be winning any "friendliest city" awards.

I also get that people are upset with the way the LPD reacted. Wonderful. Congratulations. There were 200 people (most of whom had been drinking) being loud and unruly not just inside Smith (where again, people were using the halls and common room as a bathroom and a place to puke) but outside in the road. Did you happen to walk by Smith this morning? Beer cans everywhere. Yeah, must have been pretty quiet and trouble-free. The whole reason I went over is because I got a text about several fights, including one between girls. So there goes a lot of people's defense. I honestly feel no sympathy for people that were drunk and disorderly around police. Police have special privileges. Do I like it? No. I think police in general are authoritarians. However when you are drunk and unruly around police and resist arrest, you really don't have an excuse. Notice how the 150 people who dispersed when ordered to didn't get in a single speck of trouble? It's not a coincidence. They complied and didn't cause trouble, and there was no issue. The 150 who stayed behind to yell intelligent things like "f--- the police" and to continue to disobey direct police orders were honestly asking for trouble.

The fact that you ignore the class difference shows that you don't understand it. When you have grown up your whole life going to a private school (as an large amount of Bates has), you mature differently then someone from a less advantaged background. It's simple fact of human development. That's part of the reason that all these kids can't handle their newfound freedom; they overdo everything when they party (testosterone + beer/vodka/whiskey, if you like drinking paint thinner = fights, breaking things, etc.).

For the record, I clearly don't believe that all Bates students are entitled jerks with rich parents. I think that a lot of Bates kids are like that, and if you go to any NESCAC school you'll find a huge amount of kids like that. It's the way the NESCAC is.

For the record, I really like Bates, and I'm not looking to transfer anywhere. I don't let a few meathead idiots ruin things for me.

I won't argue with you about

By periodshyphensunderscores, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 00:32

I won't argue with you about the depressed economic situation in Lewiston, or about ongoing racial tensions with the Somali population here. Having done field work myself, I can attest that the city does need a lot of work. However, I'm not going to stand here and proclaim it a dump. This place has potential, and negative attitudes like yours certainly won't help it get any better.

I never said Smith was "quiet and trouble free." I don't think anybody in their right mind would say that. Stop defending yourself by attacking arguments I'm not making.

The majority of people were drunk, yes. Everybody acknowledges that, as far as I know. However, if you were there you'd know the majority of people were not "unruly." A few individuals were indeed very far out of line, and deserve the legal ramifications of that. If you were a part of the crowd there last night, you'd know that first of all it is hard to move rapidly when you are in such a throng of people, and secondly it was not easy to hear the police/security's requests unless you were standing near them. But that's neither here nor there, I won't sit here and argue specifics with you. What I will say is that given that certain individuals acted out of line by using violence against the police, it DOES NOT give them blanket right to use violence against everyone. People who remained were not all yelling "f*ck the police." I won't deny some people were, but this was not the sentiment of the entire crowd. Many of us were horrified to see what was happening to fellow students, some of which offered no physical threat to the police.

I don't "ignore" class difference, I'm merely remarking it has no relevance here. You're suggesting that the root of this problem is the way in which these students, "entitled jerks" as you said before, were raised. There aren't "simple facts" about human development - you're trying to make sweeping generalizations about a large group of people from what you may think are similar backgrounds. Being from a middle class town, attending public school, and receiving a lot of financial aid myself, of course I probably have no idea what I'm talking about. But then again, I'm not trying to explain to you what it is these people's upbringing teaches them - I'm simply saying that you have no right to assume you know.

You're little equation, (testosterone + beer/vodka/whiskey, if you like drinking paint thinner = fights, breaking things, etc.), might work in the case of a few isolated incidents. I've certainly bore witness to it before. However, given the amount of drinking that goes on at Bates, and the relatively small frequency of incidents even involving "breaking things" or "fights," let alone what happened last night, I'd say your equation is true very infrequently. Basically what you're saying is every time men on this campus drink, they go out and start fights and break shit. Maybe you've never been out drinking at Bates before, or just had an isolated bad experience (i.e. last night), but that is NOT what goes on at this campus.

In conclusion, stop trying to make generalizations based off an isolated incident. Sure, there might be some bigger issues we should try to take from this, but stereotyping a vast number of Bates students and proclaiming to know how their upbringing has shaped them is once again ignorant.

And I'm glad you like Bates. I love it here too. Maybe I'll see you around some time and we can say hi.

To heck with both of them.

By dbcooper, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 21:14

I was a student at Bates in the late '80s and early '90s, and if things now are like they were then, I expect that many of the students involved were drunken, stupid cretins - and many of the police involved were abusive, gratuitously violent thugs. I say, down with both sides!

Having put that out there, from all I've read over the last few years it seems that Bates is really making an attempt to live with and help the community - for example through the Harward Center, and various off campus activities, research, volunteering... That wasn't at all the case a couple decades ago. When I was a student, the only interactions I saw with the community were a very few Lewiston residents coming on campus for one or two joint activities like the orchestra, and students going off campus to buy stuff. For that matter, at that time almost every on-campus activity (I'm not talking parties, but departmental open houses and the like) included free booze for all comers, openly approved of, if not in fact bought by, the administration. They don't do that anymore either, from what I understand. So, more power to Bates for working on changing those things! It's just a shame that the relatively small percentage of cretins and thugs on either side are still giving the great majority of students and residents a bad image.

Further thought

By dbcooper, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 02:44

I just remembered that I did see one off-campus event that included both residents of the town and Bates students, working together - and the most notable thing about it was insane and abusive police behavior. George H.W. Bush came and spoke at the high school, and a bunch of people from Lewiston and Auburn went to hold protest signs where he was going to pass by. There were Bates students, old people, couples with babies...your usual peacenik crowd. Maybe 40 people. As we were walking toward the school from where we had assembled, a couple Lewiston cops showed up and said they were going to show us where the protest area was. We thought, okay, great! Everyone smiling, both us and the cops. Then, when we were still about half a mile down the street from where the motorcade would pass, all of a sudden the cops stopped smiling, and told us the protest area was there. It was behind a row of trees, and they also said we could only stand on the little grass margin between the sidewalk and the street. Anyone who stepped into the street or sidewalk, or moved closer to the motorcade, would be arrested, because we had been "identified as demonstrators." Meanwhile, all kinds of other people were walking past, completely ignored. Any terrorist could have just gone right up to attack the President, while these goons were hassling us, who just wanted to hold signs and then go home.

In the end, five or six people put their hands in the air and stepped into the street. (Not me, incidentally.) The cops went crazy. A bunch of State Police cars drove in really fast, a couple of them actually ran into each other with a huge crash, thugs in full body armor jumped out and threw the protesters (who were just standing there with their hands up) to the ground and started dragging them around with their faces on the pavement and their hands bound, then took them in jail. Later, they were all let off, and as I remember several of them sued the police, though I don't know how the lawsuits came out.

There were really just two other times I can think of that I saw Maine police in action - once on campus when the former secretaries of state were going to come, and once out in Greene at a crew race. Both times they also threw their weight around in a way that caused more trouble than if they had just ignored the situation - much less responded in a reasonable way. As I said before, it's a shame that they don't just act reasonably.

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Bold

By Shealie Metayer, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 18:44

Wow. That was a bold and honest perspective. You are applauded for your ability to see the facts and respond to them in such an adult manner. It amazes me that people say the officers were evidently overzealous...you get a call for your job saying they want you to go break up a crowd of 200 (most likely) intoxicated people...are you going to go in there with lollipops for everyone?

choices; something to think about....

By 2sides, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:25

You as an individual make choices as to how your life is run. Either day-to-day or in government. We vote for people to help govern our lives in a society. We believe they will make the right decisions for us. They as well as ourselves decide how our laws are to be written. By you disrespecting the PD/EMT are in a sense disrespecting the decisions you made as an individual.

To whom it may concern...

By 2sides, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:02

I have nothing against college students and I know that drunk behavior by some but not all students is evident all over our nation. If the EMT's were not barred and were able to assist to the person in need then fine. But if they were and that was my child/wife/sister/GF (and this is to beantown861) I would have no respect for you (students) what-so-ever! An officer of the law is not* the law; but upholds the law. An EMT helps an injured victim in need. Depriving either of them from doing their jobs in itself is disrespectful. Not only to them but to the people they are helping. I grew up respecting the FD/PD/EMT's and never felt that I was the submissive person. I can walk down any street in any town/city in any state/nation world wide and would show respect to you as anyone should show to his/her fellow men/women. But disrespect me and I will disrespect you. If I was an officer of the law and you were running from me chances are you did something wrong. If the PD asked you to disperse you should disperse; and not hang around. An unruly crowd can't exist if there aren't people around egging it on.

Right On

By PamD, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:24

Many of the younger generation has no respect for others, property, nor do they have manners , where was their upbringing?

I don't know what is wrong

By Bates 32, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:32

I don't know what is wrong with us, but YOUR generation helped to raise us!

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responsibility

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 10:05

Way to assume responsibility, you'll go far in life.

You are absolutely correct

By amyo, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:13

You are absolutely correct and this was very well written. I have been an EMT, its hard enough to do your job without the restraint of the community at large! Above all when a police officer says leave , that means leave now. Son't ask why, or ignore the order that is not in your best interest!

verified

The President of Bates, the

By Jerome Young, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 17:00

The President of Bates, the students should apologize to LPD

Fire hoses will be on alert

By BenHarrison, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:50

Fire hoses will be on alert tonight!! So party it up kids!!

I don't doubt for one second

By K0NPHL1C7, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:46

I don't doubt for one second the LPD used excessive force. They have been doing it for years, and you think Bates students have it bad, try being a townie…

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Sad Day

By Joseph Ziehm, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:46

I've had a lot of work with Lewiston Police when I worked retail and many of them are very good Officers. It is a pity that Bates students want to turn this into their rally and call. Kind of like a self-reinforced demonstration. Although, to be honest it is probably the same everywhere and in every political party the drinking party just got out of hand. Of course the kids turning it into a bullying and intimidation thing is absolute bull it is a drinking party that got out of hand. I have student loans to repay and a back stabbing professor and administration to deal with and do not have the money to satisfy any of them but Bates students do.

BATES NOT ABOVE THE LAW

By roadwolfwalker, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:41

Some of bates students acted like animals I understand bates being happy to graduate but to party like there no tomorrow is an insult to the college itself beer bottles thrown everywhere on the grounds is purely disrepectfull of bates campus broken bottles all around the pond in front of the dorm look like a pig pen I hope next year grads leave campus with all your heads high you deserve it the ones who acte like an animal keep your head down you desevve it
would like to hear what the dean has to say about this

The police who were asked to

By jocasta, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:40

The police who were asked to respond were doing the job to the best of their ability. Other than the unfortunate injury to the Lewiston police officer, it looks like peace and public safety was restored. The Bates College security department and probably our area police need more training in crowd control. And probably Bates College should consider paying for this training and any necessary equipment to keep order on their campus. Because the Bates College reputation as a safe place to get a good education will be the biggest loser here.

verified

These students should be

By Jerome Young, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:36

These students should be ashamed

They Shot Lincoln...

By Brain, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:33

C'mon S&J let's not turn this into the MyFaceTwitBookBlogorea event of the century.

Baby Sitting Service

By Geno, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:26

All students involved should have their tuition increased for the semester for Baby Sitting Services.

So all the righteous

By DR, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:05

So all the righteous do-gooders of Bates are roused to action. Let them start by making prompt restitution for trashing college property before they start handing around blame to others.

Students pay for all damage

By sam111, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 18:24

Students pay for all damage done to the dorms, without question, after every semester. They'll pay for cleanup costs, nobody is denying blame for that.

And what about the damage

By DR, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 19:18

And what about the damage done to college property OUTSIDE the dorms? Nobody wants to admit to that, right?

What damage do you speak of.

By Bates 32, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:30

What damage do you speak of. This even happened outside of a brick building. I like to see even the police damage that.

i agree..this wasn't a

By sam111, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:44

i agree..this wasn't a violent crowd. the dorm wasn't damaged, nor was the outside. the only cost i could think of would be for the cleanup of cans on the lawn.

when i said "student's pay

By sam111, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 20:13

when i said "student's pay for all damage done to dorms." that includes inside and out. If individual students don't claim responsibility, the entire dorm splits the costs of the damage. this isn't a point to be argued. its in the college handbook.

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students?

By Mark Wrenn, verified user — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 10:02

When you say students, do you really mean daddy big bucks writes a check for his irresponsible kid? Is that in the handbook?

Injustice??

By clakdaddy, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:01

Drunk and disorderly conduct & failure to disperse?? Sounds like the police were trying to break up a party. A large crowd that refused to repect the police. I'm sorry but the police had every right to do thier jobs. With such a large crown refusing to respect the police, no telling what might happen. It doesn't sound like the Rodney King case to me.

verified

Exactly!

By Shealie Metayer, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 18:38

Exactly!

The way I see it

By Publikwerks, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:58

First of all, I try to give college kids a bye. We coddle kids too much, and so there are some growing pains when they leave the nest. And the alcohol policy in this nation is just stupid.

That aside, they lost any sympathy when they hassled the EMTs and broke the cops leg. Its one thing to be a stupid college kid. It entirely another when that stupidity hurts others. When your acting out of control, the police get to turn the response meter up. Hell, they had to call in APD, Sheriff and State Police.

What?

By bobrien2, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:16

Student didn't break the officers leg. Did anyone report that? NO, they only reported that he was injured, not attacked. The officer either tripped or broke it in pursuit of someone. And there was no hassling of EMTs either, again this was not reported anywhere. I have a friend on EMS and he was not threatened nor impeded by the crowd. Stop making up news.

verified

Contributory negligence

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:36

The student ran when ordered to stay; this materially contributed to the officer's injuries. He can be charged in criminal court and civilly sued for damages.

Let see, first off: "Lewiston

By Publikwerks, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 16:33

Let see, first off:
"Lewiston Police told WMTW that an ambulance was called for a girl who needed assistance. They reported that police said students blocked the ambulance from assisting the girl, and that once college security broke through the crowd, the partiers became unruly.

According to sophomore Romina Istratii, ambulances came before the police and took several students away. Istratii said once police arrived, they were abusive to students, pulling hair and pepper spraying even nonviolent bystanders."

http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/852431

Secondly, Your going with the cop break his leg falling down? Really? Maybe he broke it while one of the students was resisting arrest. Either way, he wouldn't have broken it if Bates students were acting like responsible members of the community.

On LPD's side

By kayjay9779, unverified — Thu, 05/27/2010 - 10:03

Here it is in black and white. Another SJ article from today's paper ....

"One first-year student, two sophomores, two juniors and six seniors were charged with failure to disperse. Eight face additional charges. Senior Samuel Guilford of Surry was charged with aggravated assault after he and Sgt. Robert Ullrich fell while Guilford was resisting arrest, Bussiere said. Ullrich broke his leg in two places and tore ligaments."

The injustice of it all....

By dilligaf, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:45

Seriously. Who gives a #2 about the Bates students' feelings around this topic? They were breaking the law, authorities responded and it got out of hand. Lesson learned...don't break the law. Oh wait, let's have a rally and then we'll all meet up later on for a kegger woo hoo!

6 Different departments

By fedupinlewiston, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:44

Why are bates students only bashing LPD when there were 5 other departments there handling the mele also???????? Im sure the other departments didnt just stand around watching im sure they did some of the arresting and pepper spraying. Fact of the matter is the students broke the law by drinking in public and failing to disperse. And further more if things were sooooooooooooooooo calm as the students claim why did campus security have to call the police in to begin with???????????

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hey newsflash! college

By Allisa Milliard, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:38

hey newsflash! college campuses are almost always holding some sort of rally for something or other. no one notices anymore.

verified

So was your justice breaking

By Jeff Carleton, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:38

So was your justice breaking an officers leg in places??

Good god. The officer

By anonymous, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:52

Good god. The officer *tripped*. Not saying it's okay to run from the police (it's certainly unwise) but it's not like the kid attacked him.

Further news the LPD showed

By northwoods, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:32

[This comment has been removed by the administrator]

LPD handled drunk people the

By leavittdollface, unverified — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 20:13

LPD handled drunk people the way they should have. It doesn't matter to me if they were students or not, they should not have been drunk and screaming outside.

staff

This comment was removed

By Pattie Reaves, verified user — Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:43

This comment was removed because it violated our terms of abuse. If you have any questions, you can contact me at preaves@sunjournal.com.

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Bates students rally to call attention to police brutality, misconceptions in media

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