Police detain a participant in the pre-St. Patrick's Day "Blarney Blowout" near the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. on Saturday, March 8, 2014.
Police detain a participant in the pre-St. Patrick's Day "Blarney Blowout" near the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. on Saturday, March 8, 2014.
Police surround participants in the pre-St. Patrick's Day "Blarney Blowout" near the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Amherst police said early Sunday that 73 people had been arrested after authorities spent most of the day Saturday attempting to disperse several large gathering around the UMass campus for the party traditionally held the Saturday before spring break.
A pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration near the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts spiraled out of control, pitting police in riot gear against thousands of drunken and unruly revelers at the annual “Blarney Blowout.” More than 70 people were arrested and four officers were injured in the clashes.
Authorities spent most of Saturday trying to disperse several large gatherings around the UMass campus for the party traditionally held the Saturday before spring break, Amherst police said. The partying carried into early Sunday, and Amherst police Capt. Jennifer Gundersen said police were busy with numerous reports of fights, noise and highly intoxicated individuals and had made 73 arrests.
One of the worst scenes we have ever had with drunkenness
Gundersen called the daylong partying “extremely disturbing and unsafe.”
“Perhaps one of the worst scenes we have ever had with drunkenness and unruliness,” Gundersen told The Republican newspaper in Springfield. “It is extremely upsetting. It is very dangerous.”
UMass denounced the “unruly behaviour” Saturday, and spokesman Ed Blaguszewski said students who were arrested will be reviewed under the school’s code of conduct and sanctions could include suspension or expulsion.
Pepper spray was used to disperse the crowd because of the size and “assaultive behaviour,” police said.
Three officers were hurt when they were hit by bottles, and one was injured while attempting to make an arrest, Gundersen said. None of the officers were seriously injured.
Police say charges included inciting to riot, failing to disperse, disorderly conduct, liquor law violations and assault and battery on officers. Some of those arrested had been released on bail by early Sunday, police said, while others were held, depending on charges.
The university had warned students last week that police would have an increased presence around town Saturday, especially after several people were arrested at last year’s Blarney Blowout.
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