Ra Ra Riot

Starting around 9 p.m., the corner of 40th and Walnut started to flood with West Philly teenagers. Hundreds of them. McDonalds, Fresh Grocer, and Greek Lady closed their doors to business while the police barricaded Walnut between 39th and 40th, and 40th between Walnut and Market. Tipsters reported seeing nightstick-wielding police officers attempting to herd the mob away from campus, as well as helicopters circling the area at around 10:30. By 11:00, the mob had dispersed and the line outside of Smokes (protected by a security guard) was back to its usual Saturday bustle. According to the DP, the Philadelphia Police Department has reported an assault against an officer.

One Penn Security Guard took a break from standing on the corner with his arms folded to tell us that these crowds had been expected tonight, the first warm Saturday of the year. Nothing about the situation, aside from the sheer number of kids, seemed overly threatening or illegal, particularly when compared to the debauchery that was Spring Fling 2009.

If you have any more information, or saw any craziness, send it our way!