From the disco demolition in Cleveland to the riots in Paris triggered by a ballet, an intriguing look at bizarre events that set off massive riots.
Events That Triggered Massive Riots: Lager Beer Riots, USA, 1855
The first recorded social disturbance in Chicago was caused by the social lubricant of society – alcohol. The Lager Beer Riot happened after the city mayor, Levi Boone, renewed the enforcement of an old law that mandated taverns be shut on Sundays and the cost of a liquor license was raised from $50 to $300 a year.
Naturally, the move didn’t go over too well with the local populace – particularly as it was seen as targeting German and Irish immigrants who had moved to the area in abundance. Matters worsened after several tavern owners were arrested for breaching the law, and angry immigrants took to the streets in protest, clashing with hundreds of police and militia the Mayor had called in which further fanned the massive riots.
Cannons and firearms were employed against rioters, resulting in one death and 60 arrests. Though the riot was short-lived, the consequences were far reaching. The following year, immigrants turned out in droves to the city election, driving out Levi Boone as mayor and abolishing the reinstated drinking laws.
Massive Riots: 10-Cent Beer Night Riot, USA, 1974
Losses in sporting events are particularly apt at sparking statewide riots, but this riot happened before the results were even in. The June 4th, 1974 baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers was held at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. To entice fans to attend, a Ten Cent Beer night promotion was held. With over 25 thousand people showing up, the bait worked, but unfortunately, a spate of unruly behavior – including various incidences of people running onto the field to streak, moon and breast-flash – also ensued.
The actual riot, however, didn’t occur until a fan ran onto the field in the 9th inning and attempted to steal Texas outfielder Jeff Burroughs’ cap.
In confronting the fan, Burroughs tripped. The Texas manager thought he had been attacked and led his team (wielding bats) on the field to retaliate. A large portion of the inebriated crowd – some armed with weapons of their own – and the opposing team also ended up on the field for the tussle. Fists, bottles, food, rocks and folding chairs flew, bases were stolen and the game was forfeited.
Rite of Spring Ballet Riot, Paris, 1913
Though widely renowned now, the premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s prestigious French ballet was the source of much conflict in 1913. The Rites of Spring debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris completely polarized the audience with its unconventional and jarring musical composition and choreography. Those accustomed to elegance and grace in traditional ballets began to boo the spectacle on stage, while those who liked the ballet began to argue with the detractors.
Halfway through the performance, aggressive words turned into physical violence and the police were called in to restore calm. Stravinsky was so aghast at the audiences’ reaction that he fled the theater before the ballet finished.
Massive Riots: Disco Demolition Riots, USA, 1979
In 1979, another baseball game riot rocked America, but this time fueled by a deep disdain to disco music. The riot in question occurred during a White Sox versus Detroit Tigers match at Comiskey Park.
Attempting to cash in on anti-disco hysteria, son of White Sox owner, Mike Veeck, teamed up with popular DJ Steve Dahl for the Disco Demolition Night Promotion. The objective was for fans to turn up to the stadium with disco records, which would be destroyed on the field in the middle of the double-header clash.
Over 90,000 people showed up to the 52,000 seat stadium. During the first game, fans were already tossing records and fireworks around, but the event truly got out of hand when the burning ceremony began. With the chant “disco sucks” ringing throughout the stadium, Dahl walked out on to the field and blew up the disco records.
Rather than simply cheering, fans took this as a sign to storm the field to tear up grass, scale poles and start fires. It took police almost 40 minutes to restore order, and the game was finally forfeited because the field was deemed unplayable due to the massive riots.
Death of Indian Superstar Rajkumar, India, 2006
From cricket outcomes, movie delays, political upheaval to religion, Indian’s are undoubtedly dubious for massive riots. One of the most bizarre reasons for rioting, however, was the death of Indian acting icon Rajkumar.
The actor, who had a led a very successful career in movies (having won various awards and amassed a large fan following all over the city of Bangalore) died of cardiac arrest in 2006. Following the news of his death, rather than mourn in a peaceful manner, his distraught fans turned to rioting.
A large crowd gathered at the actor’s house, hoping for a glimpse of him in death. After being barred by police, however, they began throwing rocks, shattering windows and breaking down doors to get into the premise. The tens of thousands of fans also took to the streets to burn buses and cars, and destroy and storm shops, causing businesses to shut early and transport delays. Eight people were killed in the ensuing unrest from the massive riots.
