Post by Salem6 on Nov 3, 2003 18:12:36 GMT
A Marilyn Manson performance in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday night ended in chaos when the crowd rioted following the show's abrupt cancellation due to safety concerns.
The band was only two songs into its outdoor set at the Freakers
Ball at the Kansas City International Raceway when the barrier at the front of the stage broke from the weight of the crowd pushing against it, police said.
The show was put on hold while the venue's security team, Private Systems Security, scurried to fix the barrier. The structure was repaired after 30 minutes, and Manson resumed. But before he finished another song, the barricade broke again, and at about 10 p.m. the promoter canceled the concert.
"Even though the show was stopped twice for safety reasons, we wanted nothing more than to continue to play," Marilyn Manson said in a statement. "Although we were not allowed to finish the show, we understand that safety needs to come first."
Many audience members weren't so understanding. Although most of the 12,000 fans headed for the exits, choruses of boos, lots of swearing and numerous fights erupted. Then, according to police, between 2,000 and 3,000 people began rioting in front of the stage. When it became clear that Private Systems couldn't control the mob, they called in the Kansas City police, and an estimated 130 officers responded to the scene in full riot gear.
The police formed a long line and ushered concertgoers toward the exit. The orderly procession was interrupted when a group of fans started throwing rocks, beer bottles and bottles filled with urine at the officers, who responded by firing pepper spray at the unruly fans, according to a police spokesperson. One officer was struck in the finger and six fans suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals, police said. Nine fans taken into custody were released once they had calmed down.
One disgruntled audience member was arrested for trying to hit a traffic officer with his car. Nine police cars were damaged in the altercation. The Freakers Ball also featured Seether, S.T.U.N., Mushroomhead and Memento.
This report is provided by MTV News