When flash mobs go bad
Facebook water fight soaks up thousands of pounds of damage
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An open invitation on Facebook to hold a massive water fight in Leeds has resulted in thousands of pounds worth of damage to its prize winning public garden.
Leeds City Council claims about 350 people with water pistols, buckets and water balloons trashed the Millennium Square garden on Bank Holiday Monday.
The destructive wankery wrought on the garden - built in honor of Nelson Mandela - is well documented on YouTube by various participants. Pro tip for kids, it's never a good idea to document your destruction of property on film and post to the internet.
The council said plants were trampled, turf ripped up and water features emptied and filled with foam.
"Frankly I'm appalled at the total disregard for people's ongoing enjoyment of this beautiful city oasis," said councillor John Procter, executive member for Leisure, in a statement.
"To destroy years of careful cultivation for a couple hours of so-called 'fun' is unforgivable. We will be pulling out all the stops to make sure everything is put right."
Organizers of the water fight have apologized for the damage - blaming an unexpected turnout from publicity on the social networking site.
The council said CCTV footage will be reviewed by police, and may be used as evidence for charges of criminal damage.
The organizers say despite things getting out of hand this year, they plan to host another water fight in 2009. ®
COMMENTS
A justified use of force...
Perhaps the police should have brought out those water cannons the like using... would be an appropriate use of force. Put the water fight up onto a whole new level. :)
-- Smoovious
Next years plans
The popularity of this and similar events (pillow fight in Manchester, sociology rallies) suggest a group of people from any area can be easily manipulated to do anything in the name of social networking fun.
That should definitely be harnessed until the point where it actually does go too far and the Government has to step in and ban social networking before it replaces the Government itself.
Obviously social networking needs to get organised and get rid of the Government before this happens.
The only thing that could previously have stopped this was recently reclassified and future alcohol fuelled flashes may not be pretty.
Bradford
I have only been to Bradford once to drop a friend off at his new flat.The one thing that stays with me is that Bradford had an interesting aroma that day, one I can only describe as fish in a hot tumble drier.
Cant say I want to go back.
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