April 9, 2008
Should a Facebook Poster Be Liable for a Party That Became a Riot?
A wild street party near the campus of Michigan State University that was promoted on Facebook has law-enforcement officials in East Lansing, Mich., considering whether the event’s online organizers should be held accountable for causing a riot. Some 3,000 to 4,000 young people attended the event, called “Cedar Fest,” at a privately owned student apartment complex near the campus last weekend. Police officers broke up the party with tear gas after fights broke out and partygoers attacked officers with bottles and cans. More than 50 people, including 28 Michigan State students, were arrested.
Because the party-turned-riot was organized on Facebook, East Lansing officials may seek to hold the creators of the Facebook event accountable, according to The Detroit News. The Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union monitored the party and has taken an interest in the possibility of charges against its organizers. “It’s possible that there could be civil-liberties problems when they ultimately decide to charge,” the chapter’s executive director, Kary Moss, told the newspaper.
The campus newspaper, The State News, also reported that law enforcement planned to prosecute “those who made pro-riot posts” on the Facebook event page.
The riot has spawned numerous YouTube videos, articles, and, of course, Facebook groups. One group, “I Got Gassed at Cedarfest 2008!”, reminds Facebookers not to admit to any illegal activities, lest the police be scouring the site for more lawbreakers. —Catherine Rampell
Posted on Wednesday April 9, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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Thankfully, the ACLU is there to help these defenseless young people. No one should be accountable for anything. Say what you want, do what you want—kids, it’s all about YOU! Besides, isn’t there, like, some sort of law or something that says old people can’t look at Facebook sites? My uncle is like a lawyer or a cop or something, and I’m going to call him, cause this isn’t right!
— Arthur H. Rankin Apr 10, 11:34 AM #
Nuts. If the students had organized the party using the telephone, would the officials try to hold A. G. Bell responsible?
— Dan Apr 10, 12:53 PM #
Dan,
It’s not Facebook that might be held accountable, but the event organizers. In your analogy, not A. G. Bell, but the phone callers.
— Joshua Apr 10, 04:59 PM #
When I was at MSU in the 1980’s there was a riot at Cedarfest. That party is held every year, and every few years it seems there is a “riot.” Who’s to “blame” in those instances??
— Olivia Apr 10, 06:15 PM #
What is a “pro-riot” post?
— dan Apr 10, 06:25 PM #
Hopefully the first comment is in jest, since these partiers clearly showed themselves to be far from defenseless when they attacked police. Considering that the police might have been legally justified in shooting at those attacking them, these students are lucky to be alive. Hopefully they will find better ways to spend their future time. They may wish to consider their deplorable actions and attitudes in contrast with the mandate that the police have to protect them, deplorable attitudes and all.
Those who organized and hosted the party, as well as the violent guests and any who egged them on, should clearly be held accountable for their actions. The challenge may be in proving those actions.
— Lisa Apr 11, 10:42 AM #