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"A Famlly Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 28,1994 - 17 Vancouver: Anatomy of a riot by Chris May Port Perry It was a great day to spend time in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 14, 1994 to enjoy the festivities associated with the seventh and deciding game of the MHL playoffs. Driving around town I watched with interest as literally hundreds of children paraded on residential street corners, happily waving banners and overjoyed at the anticipated victory all day long. I remember thinking how proud this city should be. Sunlight, mountains and a shot at being the best in the world. Checking into a hotel next to the PNE to possibly join the locals in viewing the game from New York on wide screen, | was dismayed to find it was sold out. From my room, I decided to enjoy the game which started at 5 p.m. locally. Throughout the game disappointment was felt as the hometown heroes were being outscored and by the end of the game it was clear frustration and disappointment was going to be a part of the Vancouver mystique tonight. By 8:15 p.m. I decided to take the short drive down to Robson Street to join in the festivities and see how this town compared to our Yonge Street celebrations of past given the loss. Cruising towards the core, it impressed me to see the numerous cars filled with appreciative fans waving banners, honking and generally having a good, yet controlled time. Numerous people lined the streets, everyone waving and a sense of gratitude filled the air. I remember the Italian World Cup victory in Toronto in then early '80s as the closest comparison in my memory complete with flags, pride and sincere appreciation. Parking within two blocks of Robson Street, I passed by Georgia Street where hundreds of cars slowly passed by in both directions. Hundreds of excited fans gave "high fives" and shared a time of joy and satisfaction, With this presence, the normally small minority of hooligans seemed to congregate for the action. A minor skirmish broke out beside me as I was accidentally struck with a hockey stick previously carried by an overzealous fan. He apologized to me as he had been struck by another person who apparently didn't like his potential weapon and tried to take it away. Throughout this congested area, I remember more people saying excuse me than creating problems or looking for trouble. Numerous regular police officers stood by and watched happy patrons watching as this unbelievable event emerged. The panic in the crowd peaked as the risk of trampling and further injury was visualized as many people were left crying and devastated on the street. More fortunate people ran to the aid of others who had fallen behind, left blinded by the gas and pepper spray. And then, the hooligans emerged leading a "take back the streets" procession. Armed with anything they could throw, breaking windows in anger and eventually even flipping over cars, the night turned to open retaliation. A man with two crutches broke these in pieces to hurl with no problems associated with the crowd, but the swelling continued. Looking up I saw two young men climbing the telephone poles and one attaching a tree branch on the top some 40 feet up. Hooligans emerged leading a "take back the back at the riot police. A new sound of "popping" filled the air as the rubber bullet provided a much more direct response to the supposed Numerous other people were climbing to get the best exposures either on the buildings or poles directly in front of the cameras. Regular police were watching as all the media zeroed in on the antics which was interesting but obviously dangerous, keeping cool and distant. As I kept with the flow and got to the centre of the intersection, a sudden scream filled the air as one climber had fallen into the crowd. The time was approximately 9:15 p.m. and the swell of the crowd continued with all cameras and eyes pointed back west toward the scream. Suddenly a major wave of force hit us from behind pushing one person into the next with no way to control it and no place to go. The white top of an ambulance was distinguishable only 10 metres away with numerous police officers generally trying to make way for the ambulance, an almost impossible task given the numbers with no place to move. The ground swell seemed to diminish in moments and I believed all was under control. seemingly understanding that this loss was truly still a victory for the Canucks. Approaching Robson on foot, I came upon literally thousands Thousands of happy fans were enjoying the moment and cheering the ground in a shocking and frightful all. Standing still waiting for the crowd to continue, an immense wave came again seconds later. This wave pushed me and others to of fans equally happy, enjoying the moment and continually cheering. Numerous bars lined both sides of the street filled with the same cross section of fans. Every few hundred feet, groups of four regular police officers stood watching the crowd and the entire street seemed safe and controlled. The time was now 8:45 p.m. and even though the numbers were swelling, all seemed under control with probably an average age of 16-18-years-old making up the majority of the crowd. Blue jean shorts, bandanas and t-shirts were the dress of preference. Proceeding west four blocks to Thurlow Street, I felt the crowd slowing up and wondered why? Looking up I noticed a building completely covered with the media cameras and it seemed everyone wanted to be on camera. Picking myself up, I looked over my shoulder only to see a wooden baton in the hands of a totally armored riot policeman "cross checking" me into the crowd and frighteningly screaming at us to move along. Fallen next to me and slower to get up, one young man looked up and received a "pepper spray" blast to the eyes for not moving quick enough. Overspray hit me but luckily missed my eyes. Dozens of riot police in dedicated formations rushed the crowd as the sound of tear gas cannisters landed around us. The human flow of thousands of people picked up in speed as we desperately tried to find a way out, coughing, sputtering as the burning deepened throughout your lungs and eyes. i Tear gas clouds from behind filtered back towards us with no place to go. An eery feeling prevailed as you would run by bars of streets" procession instigators as the mayhem continued. Average kids were forced to take sides, lives were in jeopardy. Finding a sprinkler outside a local apartment building, I with others, welcomed the cool relief to our eyes and looked on with dismay as we plotted our escape. Is this really happening? Is this the way the '60s were? Everyone is wrong here, where are the sides? We were all asking the same questions here, reeling in disbelief. Two hours later, I finally worked my way back to my car and headed back to my hotel. Crossing over Georgia Street just one block away I watched with amazement as the procession of cars continued without notice to the devastation. Regular police officers carefully monitored the parade with no problems or concerns, rather harmonious. The banners waved, horns honked as this "mirage" continued. All one big happy family. Thinking later and normally as a major supporter to the police function, I truly know many mistakes were made here. Subsequently watching media reports, it seemed as though they were talking about another world? I saw the police as two separate groups, regular officers and the riot squad. Clearly, the riot squad created more problems than they solved and the regulars were outstanding. Training and planning are critical in dealing with these kinds of circumstances and obviously were not adequate. As in all areas, hooligans are in the minority and are like adding fuel to the fire when confronted. Why cluster the media in one location to start the action and why do the hooligans get prime time? When you hear the reports, let us understand no one is right and more importantly learn from our mistakes. There definitely are many sides to this story. Black eyes can heal and Vancouver should take pride in its beauty and status as a Canadian treasure. All treasures aside, the relative calm of Port Perry was gratefully received on my return and I can only hope that I do not experience such activities again. But as distant as my experience was, it could happen anywhere. 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