Some people have told me recently that there’s nothing wrong with participating in a riot.

They’ve said experiencing the few moments of true freedom allowed as one shatters a window, destroys a parking meter or attempts to smash a new car provide something much more valuable than the experience of following laws of common decency.

Others believe participating in a riot is part of their duty as citizens, as they fight back against some concept of oppression. Most of these people have faced none of the consequences of their actions.

Early Sunday morning, I drove out to see the destruction brought against Campustown businesses and the behavior of the crowds. I received a call from a friend who told me students were being sprayed with tear gas, and I decided that observing the situation could inspire a better column for the week.

Immediately, I saw crowds working to tear down lamp posts, throwing rocks through windows, attempting to flip over a police car, throwing glass bottles at police and generally behaving like complete morons.

I couldn’t imagine how the same students who overwhelmingly believed reversing the “dry” Veishea policy would make the events more enjoyable and productive or would volunteer to demonstrate the darker effects of alcohol.

Furthermore, I couldn’t understand how someone would throw a rock through the window of a bar they had visited only a few hours before. I understood how observers became angry when sprayed in the face with tear gas, but I also knew the massive crowds must have been absolutely frightening to police officers. At any moment, the situation could have worsened, and it did.

An hour after I arrived, I watched a flaming dumpster weave through traffic on its way from Sheldon Avenue to Welch Avenue along Lincoln Way. I was amazed as the dumpster was pushed faster down the street, even as cars nearly collided with the obstacle head-on. At this point, I ran down the street along with the dumpster, waiting for an opportunity to help stop it.

Although I was able to do nothing, I had traveled closer to the intersection of Hayward Avenue and Lincoln Way, where I could see a friend working to protect the business where she made her livelihood. I made my decision to help stop any further destruction.

The acts committed by the rioters could not possibly be justified, and it was my duty as a citizen to work against them.

Whether or not you patronize every business in Campustown, someone does. They enjoy the services these businesses provide in a way that no chain store ever will. The lamp posts knocked down into the middle of Lincoln Way were paid for with your money to provide you with a greater degree of safety.

The policy officers who risked injury as students and visitors attempted to hit them with shards of glass and explosions from fireworks were out there to protect the community that works to help you and provide you with a comfortable place to live.

If you feel the city has failed you in some way in the past, you must vote in upcoming elections or run for office. Rioting in this manner will solve nothing.

Even before Sunday, I knew the justifications given for the previous Veishea riots were absurd. I knew riots such as these were the refuge of the weak and uncreative.

I was always disappointed that few observers stepped forward to help calm the situation, even in the face of possible consequences.

Today, I hold the same views. However, I now issue a challenge to my fellow students: take responsibility for your actions and work to fix the damage you’ve caused or failed to stop.

I am working with members of the community to find an avenue through which we as students and community members can donate our funds and labor, which will be announced shortly. In the meantime, when you visit Campustown businesses, offer the employees and owners your sincerest apologies. When you see a police officer on the street, thank him or her for the extra work they put in this week.

It is your responsibility.

And until you’ve been arrested while attempting to stop a riot, I’ll never accept your justifications for participating in one.