(Halifax) Police in Halifax made several arrests while trying to stop a group of students who had gathered for a party on the street near Dalhousie University.
Posted at 10:44 p.m
Keith Doucette The Canadian Press
In a statement released Sunday, Halifax Regional Police estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 students were massed in the area of Larch, Preston and Jennings streets around 10 p.m., which was approved by official celebrations.
According to law enforcement, firecrackers were thrown through the crowd and a number of misdeeds and fights were reported. Several people present were drunk.
Police say they had to evacuate injured people, including a man who was allegedly stabbed. The paramedics could not reach the victims.
“In addition to objects being thrown, officers were hit, kicked and spat on,” the statement said. Police officers required treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. »
The crowd was broken up after “a few hours”. When the number of arrests is not given, it is mentioned that dozens of insults were written.
Last year, similar riots led to the arrest of nine men and one woman for intoxication in a public place. These events had angered several citizens and the university.
Dalhousie University President Deep Saini also released a statement on Sunday, saying the school shares “the frustration of (their) community partners at last night’s irresponsible behavior.”
He recalled that the institution had been very clear in its communication with the students and that these street parties were unacceptable.
“These risky and destructive behaviors demonstrated a total disregard for laws that ensure the safety and well-being of surrounding neighborhoods,” Saini said.
The university says it has opened an investigation to determine the appropriate sanctions for students involved in organizing so-called “dangerous parties”.
Aparna Mohan, President of the Dalhousie University Students’ Union, has made a series of posts on Twitter expressing her disappointment with the behavior of some students but also with the intervention of the police.
Students reported that the police had used cayenne pepper.
“I in no way condone the disruption and disrespect that I have observed from many revelers, but I also cannot condone the violence as a fair and appropriate response,” Ms Mohan said. “We can and must do better. »