London, Ontario is still reeling from its worst-ever case of civic unrest
London, Ont., is still picking up the pieces from Saturday night’s St. Patrick’s day riots. Mobs hurled bricks, beer bottles, rocks and other objects at fire and police officers who tried to tame the five hour long riot in and around a student district at Fanshawe College. Police report the area looks like a war zone after what they say was the worst case of civil unrest the city has ever seen. The rioters also set a CTV vehicle on fire, which later exploded, adding to a bill that city officials say amounts to $100,000-worth of damages.
London mayor Joe Fontana, urged those involved in the riot to turn themselves in, saying that they would pay “in one way, shape or form.” Eleven people have been arrested and charged with unlawful behaviour, assaulting police and resisting arrest, including seven who have been identified as Fanshawe College students. Howard Rundle, the president of Fanshawe College said Monday that “the real long-term solution is breaking up that enclave,” referring to the problematic area where the riots happened.
As with the Vancouver riots after the Stanely Cup finals last year, the public has been helping investigators with tips from social media sites, including photos, videos and updates from alleged rioters.