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New Hampshire pumpkin riot shows US divisions | New Hampshire pumpkin riot shows US divisions |
(about 2 hours later) | |
When a New England pumpkin festival was the unlikely setting for disorder, comparisons were drawn with protests elsewhere. | When a New England pumpkin festival was the unlikely setting for disorder, comparisons were drawn with protests elsewhere. |
Who knew a winter squash plant could provoke such mayhem? | Who knew a winter squash plant could provoke such mayhem? |
Keene Pumpkin Festival, held annually at a New Hampshire liberal arts college, descended into chaos, with drunken students throwing bottles, overturning vehicles, lighting fires and fighting with police. | Keene Pumpkin Festival, held annually at a New Hampshire liberal arts college, descended into chaos, with drunken students throwing bottles, overturning vehicles, lighting fires and fighting with police. |
Officers responded by firing tear gas. Swat equipment, dog units and pepper spray were all deployed, according to reports. | Officers responded by firing tear gas. Swat equipment, dog units and pepper spray were all deployed, according to reports. |
The event is normally a source of pride for New Englanders. The previous year's festival saw a world record set when 30,581 jack-o'-lanterns were carved and lighted. Political candidates such as Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Howard Dean have visited the event, which took place near Keene State College. | The event is normally a source of pride for New Englanders. The previous year's festival saw a world record set when 30,581 jack-o'-lanterns were carved and lighted. Political candidates such as Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Howard Dean have visited the event, which took place near Keene State College. |
On social media, many users were struck by the incongruity of street violence breaking out in such a setting. | On social media, many users were struck by the incongruity of street violence breaking out in such a setting. |
"Never thought I'd c the words pumpkin and riot in the same sentence," tweeted @yldrose. @DrewHampshire added: "First New England punk band to change its name to Pumpkin Riot wins October." | "Never thought I'd c the words pumpkin and riot in the same sentence," tweeted @yldrose. @DrewHampshire added: "First New England punk band to change its name to Pumpkin Riot wins October." |
But others noted the contrast between the rioters in Keene - who appeared mostly to be white, well-off college students - and the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, over the shooting of an unarmed black teenager two months ago. | But others noted the contrast between the rioters in Keene - who appeared mostly to be white, well-off college students - and the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, over the shooting of an unarmed black teenager two months ago. |
Many compared the manner in which the media covered Keene and Ferguson. The former, one widely-circulated image complained, was typically described using phrases such as "rowdy", "mischief" and "booze-filled revellers". But the latter, according to mainstream discourse, had been the result of "thugs" and "animals" who were "destroying their community". | Many compared the manner in which the media covered Keene and Ferguson. The former, one widely-circulated image complained, was typically described using phrases such as "rowdy", "mischief" and "booze-filled revellers". But the latter, according to mainstream discourse, had been the result of "thugs" and "animals" who were "destroying their community". |
Others archly deployed the language of commentators who have weighed in over Ferguson. "Where are the leaders in the white community? They need to speak out," tweeted @BrFleurantin.. @WesleyLowery added: "Don't these people have jobs? Where are the white fathers? What will end this corrosive culture of violence?!" | Others archly deployed the language of commentators who have weighed in over Ferguson. "Where are the leaders in the white community? They need to speak out," tweeted @BrFleurantin.. @WesleyLowery added: "Don't these people have jobs? Where are the white fathers? What will end this corrosive culture of violence?!" |
For some, however, the scenes in Keene presaged the threat of even more devastating social breakdown. Wrote @thejamesriking, "There was a riot at a New Hampshire pumpkin fest last night, in case you were wondering how we'd handle a real Ebola outbreak." | |
Reporting by Jon Kelly | Reporting by Jon Kelly |
You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending | You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending |
All our stories are at bbc.com/trending | All our stories are at bbc.com/trending |
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