All Things Considered, April 7, 2008 · Police in East Lansing, Mich., used tear gas to disperse thousands of out-of-hand partygoers near the Michigan State University campus at an event promoted as Cedar Fest on Facebook. Police are trying to determine whether the Facebook party organizers can be held accountable.
Listening to this story on the way home from work, I started to wonder about the legality of what the police were trying to do. It sounds like they are trying to use messages posted on Facebook as evidence for inciting a riot. From what I understand, 'inciting a riot' is vague enough to include anything that may encourage a group to be violent. Is there any legal precedent for this to be anything other than a person shouting at a crowd, though?
I also find it odd that the police have been keeping a log of all the activity for this party since January. It isn't exactly private, I know, but it feels like some sort of line is being trod upon with those actions.
Hawk wrote:
Listening to this story on the way home from work, I started to wonder about the legality of what the police were trying to do. It sounds like they are trying to use messages posted on Facebook as evidence for inciting a riot. From what I understand, 'inciting a riot' is vague enough to include anything that may encourage a group to be violent. Is there any legal precedent for this to be anything other than a person shouting at a crowd, though?
How is that vague? They clearly don't want riots on university grounds for the safety of others. If someone is posting messages on facebook with the purpose to incite a crowd into rioting then it fits the elements.
If these people want to protest then they should follow the proper channels.
I also find it odd that the police have been keeping a log of all the activity for this party since January. It isn't exactly private, I know, but it feels like some sort of line is being trod upon with those actions.
No line is being trod. Unless the police are illegally entering private property and going inside to record what's going on without probable cause then nothing is being crossed here.
The log keeping is probably a normal activity. In my city the police keep information on all police related activity that occurs at a specific address.
Frankly, I find it incredibly irritating when people cry foul because police try to use something they publically posted on the Internet against them.
The Internet is a public venue ; You don't get a free pass to be an asshole just because you use a nickname and a message board. For example, if I wrote "Hey dudes, let's go rape that chick next door" would you be opposed to it if the police came knocking on my door with a print-out of my post?
If (and I write if) the riot was incited via FaceBook, then it's just as bad as if the guy went there with a loudspeaker and riled the crowd up.
JULY 20TH 1969 - The day the entire world was looking up
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
Given that the article claims the Facebook advertisement was for a party, I dunno if it'd be legally valid to hold those who put the ad up accountable for inciting a riot...
Molyneux wrote:Given that the article claims the Facebook advertisement was for a party, I dunno if it'd be legally valid to hold those who put the ad up accountable for inciting a riot...
Well, this is probably why the cops will have to present this case to the judge. I just don't think it's weird that statements you made on the Internet can get you in trouble in real life - there's nothing weird about it, it's just another medium.
JULY 20TH 1969 - The day the entire world was looking up
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
There was a fairly big case here recently where a Melbourne kid advertised a party on Myspace and then tried to shrug off the police by saying that it was only supposed to be viewed by two dozen people or some bullshit.
MSU student here. The big problem I see with trying to charge anyone with inciting a riot on Facebook is that it was planned as a party, with no mention of a riot except people joking that there would probably be a riot.
The "riot" itself mostly involved people not dispersing after being told to and a few drunks throwing bottles at the cops, rather than any sort of organized activity.
If anyone is interested, I'll see if I can find the invite on Facebook after a while so I can post it.
Indeed, though there were a few number of people at Cedar Fest that wanted the police to come and tear gas them. I'm not sure if the "host" planed to start a riot specifically, but when you get 4,000 drunken college students together, that's just asking for trouble.
'Ai! ai!' wailed Legolas. 'A Balrog! A Balrog is come!'
Gimli stared with wide eyes. 'Durin's Bane!' he cried, and letting his axe fall he covered his face.
'A Balrog,' muttered Gandalf. 'Now I understand.' He faltered and leaned heavily on his staff. 'What an evil fortune! And I am already weary.'
- J.R.R Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Balrog wrote:Indeed, though there were a few number of people at Cedar Fest that wanted the police to come and tear gas them. I'm not sure if the "host" planed to start a riot specifically, but when you get 4,000 drunken college students together, that's just asking for trouble.
Over here you'd need a permit to organize an event that large. You'd need to provide security, medical aid stations etc.
So even if the guy wouldn't have been charged with inciting a riot, he could definitely get a massive fine slapped on.
JULY 20TH 1969 - The day the entire world was looking up
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
Balrog wrote:Indeed, though there were a few number of people at Cedar Fest that wanted the police to come and tear gas them. I'm not sure if the "host" planed to start a riot specifically, but when you get 4,000 drunken college students together, that's just asking for trouble.
Over here you'd need a permit to organize an event that large. You'd need to provide security, medical aid stations etc.
So even if the guy wouldn't have been charged with inciting a riot, he could definitely get a massive fine slapped on.
Agreed, there's a reason the administration and city clamped down on this event back in the late 80s.
'Ai! ai!' wailed Legolas. 'A Balrog! A Balrog is come!'
Gimli stared with wide eyes. 'Durin's Bane!' he cried, and letting his axe fall he covered his face.
'A Balrog,' muttered Gandalf. 'Now I understand.' He faltered and leaned heavily on his staff. 'What an evil fortune! And I am already weary.'
- J.R.R Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
