UMD riot, 2010

With the UMD vs Duke game only one day away, the students, police, City officials and religious leaders have been very busy to avoid the repeat of 2010 riot that earned bad reputation for our college town. More than a dozen students were arrested during the riot and the county police was accused of using excessive force.

Students, UMD Chaplain Rev. Kim Capps, Rev. George Wilkinson of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, Maj. Liberati of P.G. Police & UMD’s Public Safety Chief David Mitchell will gather for a joint prayer rally tomorrow, Feb. 1 @ 7 – 8 PM at the West Chapel (in Memorial Chapel). The rally has been billed as a gathering to pray for the “Safety and Sportsmanship and seek God’s blessings for our city before the UMD v. Duke home basketball game on Feb. 2nd”.

In the mean time, the UMD students have been planning to observe a “Beat the Duke Week” to allow students to celebrate the outcome of the game in a constructive manner, should the UMD wins against Duke.

Additionally, a pep rallywill be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Comcast Center, said Student Government Association President Steve Glickman.

Mayor Andrew Fellows said he likes the university’s proactive approach, “instead of throwing up our hands and saying there is nothing we can do.”