Riots erupt in Vancouver after Canucks loss
Dozens injured amid scenes of violence, looting
CBC News
Posted: Jun 15, 2011 7:54 PM PT
Last Updated: Jun 16, 2011 2:32 AM PT
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People look on amid rioting in downtown Vancouver following the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup hockey final. (Ryan Remiorz/CP)
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Riot police fired tear gas, pepper spray and flash bombs in downtown Vancouver Wednesday night to try to disperse angry rioters who set cars on fire, looted stores and taunted police officers after the Canucks' 4-0 Stanley Cup final loss to the Boston Bruins.Police declared the downtown fan zone area near the CBC building and the central post office a riot zone. Anyone not leaving the West Georgia Street area immediately could be arrested, they warned.
Police used batons and also turned police dogs on the rioters, slowly pushing the crowd back along Georgia Street from Hamilton Street to Cambie Street.
Two police cars were set on fire in a parking lot on Cambie Street near one of the areas where police were being confronted by a few dozen people among the hundreds present who were throwing debris at officers.
Most people who stayed in the riot areas were watching the confrontation, while a few young men who covered their faces were confronting police.
"You don't ever hope for a situation like this," said Vancouver police Const. Jana McGuinness.
"You celebrate the good times and you prepare for the bad times and that's exactly what we've done. Unfortunately, the tables have turned tonight."
In addition to the riot police, officers were also called in from several neighbouring departments to help control the unruly crowd.
Vancouver fire department Capt. Gabe Roder said it was not clear how many fires had been set. Fire crews were instructed to leave the downtown core by police, and the department made a decision early in the evening to respond to fires only where the public was in danger.
Dozens injured
Officials say dozens of people were injured, but most were being treated for tear gas or pepper spray exposure.Vancouver General Hospital officials said there were two major traumas, three stabbing victims and one head injury.
A spokesperson for St. Paul's Hospital said the emergency room had seen at least 57 people with injuries related to the riot, most of whom were treated for tear gas exposure and released. Others, officials said, were cut with broken glass or had fractured bones. There was one major trauma, officials said, but released no further details.
B.C. Ambulance also confirmed that a man had fallen or jumped off the Dunsmuir Viaduct and was in critical condition in hospital.
Bus transit suspended
A number of cars had also been set alight in a parkade at West Georgia Street and Seymour Street.Vandals were seen jumping on a pair of police cars in a parking lot on Cambie Street. One of the cars had been turned on its side but later was righted.
TransLink had stopped all bus service to and from the downtown area, but SkyTrains were still running to and from downtown stations.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said the situation was "despicable."
"It's absolutely disgraceful and shameful and by no means represents the city of Vancouver," said Robertson. "We've had a great run in the playoffs here, great celebrations, and what's happened tonight is despicable."
"We are dealing with a small number of troublemakers," said the mayor. "They will be held accountable. There's a lot of photographic evidence. We're asking people to keep whatever pictures they're taking… because these people will be held accountable for this."
Cambie Street Bridge was also closed for several hours Wednesday, blocking access to downtown Vancouver.
Game was winding down
Trouble started in the closing seconds of the game when a thick plume of smoke, believed to be from fireworks, wafted above the crowd on West Georgia Street in front of the central post office building. Moments later, a car burst into flames and fights broke out.
One of the several cars set alight by angry hockey fans in downtown Vancouver Wednesday. (CBC) The number of arrests is expected to be in the dozens.
Glass windows were broken at the Bank of Montreal on West Georgia and at the Hudson's Bay Company.
Widespread looting was reported at the Bay store, at the downtown London Drugs, Chapters, Sears and Future Shop.
In addition, a fire was reported at a parkade on Seymour Street. Few details were available, but reports indicated several cars were on fire. There were also reports of garbage cans and portable toilets on fire throughout the downtown core.
Police had consistently used a strategy of engagement with the crowds that had gathered for the previous games. Officers readily exchanged high-fives and good natured banter with fans.
The engagement technique was considered a major success during the 2010 Olympics, when similar numbers of fans flocked to the downtown core.
Police tried to nip the violence in the bud by closing liquor and beer stores early, but it appeared to have no effect.
"We will have to sit down and evaluate exactly what happened here. It's going to be a black mark for a very, very long time," McGuinness said.
The strategy was also part of an effort to avoid a repeat of the 1994 Stanley Cup riot, which occurred in Vancouver's downtown area on June 14 that year, after the Canucks lost in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final in New York against the Rangers.
It's expected the damage from Wednesday's riot will far exceed that of 17 years ago.
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Ottawa Senators lose the cup in 5 games- no riot
Edmonton Oilers lose the cup in 7 games- no riot
Calgary Flames lose the cup in 7 games - no riot.
Vancouver Canucks lose the cup in 7 games twice- riot both years.
This is a black eye for Vancouver, and Vancouver ONLY!!! Leave the rest of Canada out of it. The "fans" are acting on the streets the same way that the Canucks acted on the ice.
Glass windows were broken at the Bank of Montreal on West Georgia and at the Hudson's Bay Company.
Widespread looting was reported at the Bay store, at the downtown London Drugs, Chapters, Sears and Future Shop.
In addition, a fire was reported at a parkade on Seymour Street. Few details were available, but reports indicated several cars were on fire. There were also reports of garbage cans and portable toilets on fire throughout the downtown core.
Violence not anticipated
Earlier, before and during the game, fans were packed tight but good-natured as they cheered on their team, which had won at home in every previous game against Boston in this Stanley Cup final series.Police had consistently used a strategy of engagement with the crowds that had gathered for the previous games. Officers readily exchanged high-fives and good natured banter with fans.
The engagement technique was considered a major success during the 2010 Olympics, when similar numbers of fans flocked to the downtown core.
Police tried to nip the violence in the bud by closing liquor and beer stores early, but it appeared to have no effect.
"We will have to sit down and evaluate exactly what happened here. It's going to be a black mark for a very, very long time," McGuinness said.
The strategy was also part of an effort to avoid a repeat of the 1994 Stanley Cup riot, which occurred in Vancouver's downtown area on June 14 that year, after the Canucks lost in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final in New York against the Rangers.
It's expected the damage from Wednesday's riot will far exceed that of 17 years ago.
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Ottawa Senators lose the cup in 5 games- no riot
Edmonton Oilers lose the cup in 7 games- no riot
Calgary Flames lose the cup in 7 games - no riot.
Vancouver Canucks lose the cup in 7 games twice- riot both years.
This is a black eye for Vancouver, and Vancouver ONLY!!! Leave the rest of Canada out of it. The "fans" are acting on the streets the same way that the Canucks acted on the ice.
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The Riots started outside Canada Post building. Clearly people are frustrated with the postal strike.************
While the mega-rich hockey players drive home in their huge gas guzzling Escalades - Vancouver burns! *************
My buddy mentioned that If this was European soccer,
1. City should make the team pay for the damage
2. the league should make them play some home games with an empty stadium
Good idea if you ask me.
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Shameful, embarrassing and a MAJOR black eye for the city of Vancouver. These amazingly stupid people have just erased any goodwill achieved during last year's olympics. I only hope for two things now. First and foremost, I hope innocent people aren't hurt during the riots. Second, I hope the police are taking lots of videos of the riots so they can make thousands and thousands of arrests. I hope the lives of the idiots are destroyed forever with criminal records. This is an extremely sad comment on society.
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I wish they would keep the police dogs and horses out of that kind of environment. Animals are so abused and to put them under that kind of stress is cruel...what the hell is wrong with people.
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How embarrassing!!! Where did you peope park your cars? Bet you took the bus! Cuz you knew ahead of time you would be complete idiots and you wouldn't want YOUR property vandalized.
Congratulations Canucks and Bruins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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This is the beginning of the end for the Vancouver housing bubble. Who's going to want to live in a city where people burn the city down because their crappy team lost to a better one?
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It's disgraceful. But that's Vancouver. Bringing you riots on a regular basis since 1906. Thankfully the Olympics went well. I thought things had finally changed. Guess not.
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I'm annoyed by TV commentators repeatedly referring to the rioters as 'protesters'. Get it straight...this stupidity has nothing to do with protest or civil disobedience.
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I am SO SORRY to see ALL OF THE NEGATIVE POSTS about Canucks fans!!
We are great people - who are disappointed!!!
From the greasy angry mosh pit of loss of Vancouver, I say: please have some empathy! We have crappy jobs to go to tomorrow!
Orca Bay reps - - will sleep cozy. Guaranteed.
Think about it.
Praise the holy mosh pit of disappointment!
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Ya know something. I'm not sure if I want the Leafs to win the cup after all. Lord knows what the hooligans would do to my city.
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Wow!
Yet real issues are too much to get worked up over. What about our economic situation? Housing? Health Care? Our involvement in Libya? Our lack of involvement in the Congo, Burma? Telecommunications monopolies? etc., etc.?
Because we lost the cup? Good Grief we made it to the finals.
I used to love hockey until the Philidelphia Flyers and others thought violence was an essential element to the sport. I am ashamed of all of you that participated in this mockery of Canadian civility and maturity.
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I think they should use water drops from helicopters right on the crowds. Wonder how close the Martin Mars bombers are?
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If they do that when they lose, what would they have done had they won?
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This has gone from a wonderful night full of pride in our city to a shameful night that makes me wish the entire playoff run had never happened. Disgraceful. Shameful. Embarrassing.
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I don't know why people are surprised by the riot. I personally know people who were arrested during the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup riots in 1984 and 1987 and they WON the cup. This would happen in any Canadian NHL city (outside of Ottawa) even if it is wrong. Remember, the city should not be judged for what only a few pinheads are responsible for.
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Good luck in ever having the downtown core used again as a fan zone. These hooligans have wrecked it for the TRUE fans!
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Move the team...Vancouver doesn't deserve a hockey team..
Stupid fans....Worst in the league.....
At least now we won't have to listen to their bullshit about how great their team is..
WAY TO GO BOSTON !!!
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The people rioting are NOT hockey fans.
I was down there at Georgia & Homer by the post office and BMO.
There were groups of people who were totally wasted, and aside from tyelling and screaming, they did not even pay attention to the game !
Seriously, people were coming up to me "hey, you gonna flip some cars over after?", and "I'm gonna go smash the bank windows, etc.".
And that was DURING the game, not after.
No police were around at the time to zero in on these drunken losers and make preventive arrests. Jim Chu said the VPD would, but I saw no such thing.
When the game ended, I left. Already there were firecrackers going off, drunks who got in fights bleeding, etc.
Many already left once it was 3-0, they knew what was going to happen. I stuck around but you could already see the drunks were just there to party and do damage, and not to watch the game.
This was not like the Olympics, not at all. I swear you could sense it coming.
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It is probably best that Vancouver lost tonight. If this is what their fans are like (read drunken bums) then the Cup belongs in Boston. My guess is that those who are trashing the city right now are not hockey fans at all but the same "people" who show up whenever there are large crowds to demonstrate their particular approach to society.
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Vancouver, Egypt.
Civil disobedience and vandalism is quite high in the Surrey/Vancouver area. It was 2 years ago now I had my car vandalized because it had out of province plates.
Sorry, made my choice that Vancouver was not for me. Too many young out of control liberal raised delinquents and drug addicts.
Now we know why Harper went to Boston. It is safer there. I kid you not, I feel safer in Boston than Vancouver. Too much human garbage in Vancouver.
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While I won't condemn the Bruins Game 7 effort I will say this..this series should never have gotten this far had it not been for that sawed off runt of a man they call Bettman who used his authority to make sure suspensions, favoritism and bias was clearly for the US based team..so Gary, after the firm round of boos offered you while you spoke to Vancouver fans, have you finally caught on to the fact that your an arrogant manipulating a...hole?
That all said..Hey Vancouver..you lost... rioting wont change this and having your usual weekend fist fights on Granville tonight instead of on the weekend, will not change the fact that the Canucks were beaten by a better team ON THIS NIGHT WHEN IT MATTERED MOST...so get over yourself and stop beating each other up over it
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Well done, Vancouver! Next time we complain about being the 'no fun city', maybe we should look back at what the idiots in this city do at a free, outdoor event. Shameful. Tonight, I'm embarrassed to be from Vancouver.
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What do you expect?
You get 100,000 people in one place, and at least several hundred of them are going to be moronic yobs that will look for any excuse to cause mayhem. Add that to the fact that, for some reason, a large proportion of the young males in Vancouver can't handle their liquor, and you're gonna have trouble. Add a bunch of p**sed off angry hockey fans, and it's a recipe for disaster.
Good luck Vancouver Police, you're gonna need it.
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I hopes that all the video footage will be looked at all and all the idiots starting fires, destroying cars and property in Vancouver will be prosecuted harshly. Also when are people going to learn that if you are standing around watching and not leaving you are part of the riot.
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Happy mob......Angry mob.......Still a mob, where did they park their brains?
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As much as you clowns from the east are shaking your finger at us, you had your stupid little rioters at the G8 not too long ago.
This has nothing to do with sports, or any event, its an excuse for stupid, frustrated young people to feel big. It happens all around the world and it's pathetic. I will not apologize for them, or be ashamed for being from this city, there are morons everywhere.
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Geniuses are committing vandalism on camera. Way to go, people! There will be lots and lots of arrests - I hope they make you all pay for all this damage.
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Good time to riot imo.
Just a game? Apparently you morons haven't been in Montreal after a 1st round playoff game.
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Why aren't the police beating people? This is a full on riot 100 times worse than the G8 "riot" and yet we haven't seen anywhere near the response that Harper ordered for the G8.
If the response to this riot was proportional to the G8 the police would be firing live weapons into this Canucks crowd.
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If the average price of a house in Vancouver is $800,000 and a hockey jersey costs over $100 Canadian its plain to see who these people are causing the problem.
So much for immigration reform! Now what?
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Dont forget 80% of the Bruins stars are Canadian and your cup wouldn't exist with out them.
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It's official... sports fans are more dangerous than political protesters
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I have been watching the riot coverage almost entirely on The National since the last view from the ice and I am compelled to say something now.
Unless the people in the newsroom are looking at different footage than what is being shown on air, I think it borders on irresponsible to suggest that this embarrassing display was somehow the work of some kind of professional riot patrol. While one person is clearly visible with a black pull over ski mask, every other person you've shown causing this chaos is wearing fan attire or everyday street clothes. Nearly all of the people with covered faces that you have shown since this began are using t-shirts and bandanas and only covered their faces after the smoke and tear gas began flying.
As disappointing as this whole scene is for every real sports fan and Vancouver area resident, the ugly truth is that the majority of people who were actually participating in reeking havoc and inciting police are simply local "wanna-be" tough guys showing off what too much alcohol and too few brain cells add up to, and all for the world to see.
Comparing these jack-asses on the streets of Vancouver tonight to political protesters is an insult to everyone who respects their right to peacefully gather and publicly denounce something which they disagree with. It also insults the journalist that tries to display news as it happens without trying to explain things as they happen before taking the time to adequately assess the situation.
Please maintain the objectivity that you generally display and which is the primary reason for me choosing you as a source for all of the important news here and elsewhere around the world.
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The thug mentality has been inculcated in our society at large. It's in the music, it's in the movies, it's in the tv shows, and it's in the sports industry. A lot of the young people seem not to have a sense of honor anymore. It seems like all they know is hooting and grunting and chanting like the characters in Animal Farm.
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the news coverage pretty much says it all...
in boston: pretty girls, sharp fellas, well-spoken in interviews and virtually no problems.
in vancouver: drunken tramps, toothless wonders and random violence and destruction.
i like it when my biases are proven true by the same morons i judge.
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Our daughter lives in Vancouver, she and friends left downtown after the 2nd period. At THAT point there were groups of "under 19" punks roaming around proclaiming they were there for the riot. No jersey-wearing fans, just groups of punks looking to create trouble.
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So much for the myth that Vancouverites have matured and the myth that the VPD had a plan.
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lol, wow, we Canadians really do go psycho over hockey...
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Is Gary Bettman's house on fire?
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Stay classy Vancouver. See ya on YouTube!
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