NEW YORK, March 9 (Reuters) - Police in Massachusetts
arrested a total of 52 people after nearly a dozen more were
taken into custody early on Sunday as a pre-St. Patrick's Day
party turned violent, with officers in riot gear sparring with
revelers in skirmishes that lasted nearly 24 hours.
Another 28 people were issued summonses since violence broke
out on Saturday morning during an annual party known as the
"Barney Blowout," near the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
The Amherst Police Department said officers brought the
situation under control and made final arrests around 4 a.m. EDT
Sunday.
"The party had become dangerous and out of control," a
police spokesman said. "As officers began to disperse the crowd,
they were again met with glass bottles, full beer cans, rocks
and snowballs being thrown at them."
The gathering, traditionally held the last Saturday before
Spring Break, brought thousands of students from campus onto
surrounding streets, Amherst police said.
St. Patrick's Day is March 17.
Some revelers threw bottles, bricks and other items into
crowds of partygoers, and there was damage reported to cars,
street lights and other property, police added.
No serious injuries were reported, but several people
suffered minor injuries, authorities said.
Four Amherst officers received minor injuries from thrown
objects and combative people, Amherst police said. The police
also used pepper spray at times.
Those arrested face charges including failure to disperse
and inciting a riot, and three for assault with a deadly weapon.
Other charges included disorderly conduct, liquor law
violations, breaking and entering, and assault and battery on an
officer.
The University of Massachusetts condemned the disruptive
actions of the "Blarney Blowout" participants. The school will
review incidents involving arrested students, who are subject to
expulsion or suspension, spokesman Ed Blaguszewski said in a
statement.
(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere, editing by G Crosse)
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