An open letter to the St. Patrick's Day 2012 rioters on Fleming Drive

A CTV News vehicle being damaged by angry rioters, Fleming Drive, London. March 17, 2012

There was probably a time when St. Patrick's Day was a joyous occasion. There were also times when people learnt to respect someone else's privacy. It pains me to think whether I made the right decision to come all the way from India, just to go to Fanshawe and witness such a debacle on St. Patrick's Day! Where has civilization gone?

It's strange, I never hear stuff like this coming out of Platt’s Lane or other 'Western' neighbourhoods here in London but Fleming Drive never seems to disappoint me. And yes, I'm being sarcastic here. Riots, burning couches, overturned news vans? Come on people, there has got to be a limit. I hope the people responsible realize that innocent Londoners will be paying for all the damage they caused on their idea of a joyous occasion. 

I'm not going to be a hypocrite here, I love my beer. Then again, I believe in moderation. You know your limit; you know how much you can handle before you go overboard. It is 1:15 am now as I write this and I can still here sirens blaring, and I live five minutes from Fleming Drive and Fanshawe College. Students have got to remember that for most of them, it's not their town; they are merely living here for a couple of years. There are people who will live their entire life in London, and negative press coverage isn't something that anyone would want their hometown to be associated with. I know I wouldn’t want my hometown to ever face negative press.

Remember when Mayor Fontana released 'London is a city of Opportunity'? You do? But is this the ‘opportunity’ you want? To bring disregard to the Forest City? To show people how many cars you can destroy? How many kegs of beer you can chug? I hardly think so. If I was Irish or had Irish roots, I would probably be so mad right now! How dare you ruin a day that brings about the Irishman inside everyone? Sure everyone has the right to gather freely and say whatever they want, whenever they want. That is basic freedom. But freedom to wantonly destroy property? Blasphemy I tell you, blasphemy.

Being a student of journalism, a part of me wanted to step out with my equipment and cover the event, nay cover the debacle I should say. The other part of me feared for my own safety. I know this is nothing compared to being a journalist in the middle east where your life can be in danger every minute of  every day, but to risk my life at the hands of thousands of rioting teenagers and young adults? That would be something quite pointless, in my opinion.

So now when people ask what Fanshawe is famous for what do we tell them? Riots? Parties? Angry Teenagers? Or do we tell them that Fanshawe is a haven if learning? A place of wit and wisdom? A place of dignity and consideration? I always knew that I would face a culture shock when I moved across the world. India and Canada is completely different when it comes to customs and behaviours, but not once have I heard of a drunken college riot during eighteen years in India. I've already heard about two in London itself, and you got to remember that London is nothing compared to a vast majority of Indian cities when it comes to student populations.

So in conclusion, if you're one of the rioters who thought it was 'cool' and 'trendy' to fill yourself up with alcohol and then go berserk, you should probably look at yourself and feel sorry. Step forward and admit your wrongdoing, if you didn’t face the consequences for what you did that night. Do not let innocent people who had no part to play face trouble for what you did. Do your bit, to make this city a better place to live in. Do your bit for the community. Do your bit for the college; but more importantly, do your bit for yourself. 

Image Credit: https://yfrog.com/a/img644/193/43eofz.jpg (via twitter)

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vh7AwyfcHA 

Watch the London Free Press' Video here: http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/03/18/19517661.html