Hey, there’s a Super Bowl and the team that represents this city is in it; let’s “celebrate” by looting and destroying public and private property! It really doesn’t matter who wins or loses, because it’s not about the game. It’s about being hoodlums.
But hey, let’s not single out any group in particular. That would be racism. TGO
Refer to story below. Source: The Telegraph
Philadelphia was hit with rioting and looting on Sunday night after the city’s fans celebrated a historic Super Bowl win.
Thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles, the underdogs of the tournament, beating long-running champions the New England Patriots 41-33.
But the scenes of joy quickly turned to chaos and led to cars and shop fronts being destroyed or looted and at least one police officer being injured.
As the celebrations took an ugly turn locals were seen brawling, damaging cars, jumping off roofs, attempting to tear down traffic lights and street signs and even scaling the City Hall gates.
A number of convenience stores reported looting and damage, as well as at the department store chain Macy’s, where windows were smashed.
There were also unconfirmed reports of two police horses being stolen and later recovered.
Rowdy fans clambered on top of the awning at the upmarket Ritz Carlton Hotel, jumping off into the crowd. The awning could be seen collapsing later with a large group of people on top of it. It is not clear if anyone was injured.
Local authorities were overwhelmed by the level of rioting as around 100,000 fans filled the streets, and local police forces were forced to seek additional support from other forces and agencies such as the Marine units and the National Guard.
Almost 10,000 tuned into the local public police radio, Philadelphia Police Scanner, which was filled with news of the destruction. The hashtag #phillypolicescanner was also trending nationally on Twitter.
One officer was heard saying on the police scanner: “It’s endless, chief. Endless.”
Philadelphia officials confirmed they were aware of several acts of vandalism, including smashed windows and a gas station being looted, but said just three arrests were made.
A city spokeswoman said that a number of injuries were also reported after fans attempted to pull down light poles.
She added that other than a “handful of bad actors” the celebrations were peaceful.
Disorderly fans were not just found in the Philadelphia area. Mourning their loss, Patriots fans at the University of Massachusetts Amherst were arrested for brawling.
Twelve people were taken to hospital and six people were arrested during a disturbance at the university.
A university spokesman said about 2,000 people gathered outdoors following Sunday night’s game.
Campus police said fights broke out, the crowd threw objects and set off smoke bombs and firecrackers. Police were forced to use pepper balls to disperse the crowd and the area was cleared by 11:30 p.m.
Those transported to hospitals suffered from head injuries, lacerations and alcohol intoxication.
Officers said those arrested face criminal charges, and if they are students they face punishment under the student code of conduct.
