Post-St. Patrick's Day parade fight in West Capitol Park
Albany police say they arrested two people following a fight near Washington Ave and Swan Street Saturday after the St. Patrick's Day parade. APD says it believes it's the same fight in the video that surfaced online this weekend of a brawl on the steps of West Capitol Park. Based on a rough guess from the video, it appears the fight included maybe 10-20 people with a bunch of onlookers. The video is embedded above. (Turn the sound down -- it's super annoying. Also, the camera guy probably isn't saying turnip.)
From the APD press release:
As officers were dispersing the crowd, Clint Junco, 18, Delmar, did lunge at and strike an on-duty police officer in the face with a closed fist. Junco was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, and Assaulting an Officer.
Additionally, officers arrested Najee Bennett, 17, Bethlehem, for Disorderly Conduct for engaging in tumultuous behavior.
The fight occurred after the parade had concluded and the crowd was quickly dispersed.
Full press release post jump.
Of course, this kind of thing is on everyone's radar because of the kegs 'n eggs free-for-all a few years ago. This doesn't appear to rise to that level. At all. It's not even the entirely-new-cast-except-one-minor-character, low-budget, direct-to-video sequel to kegs 'n eggs.
But -- and not to make too much out of this -- it is notable that the two people arrested for allegedly being part of this incident are both not from the city. If you talk with residents of areas such as the Lark Street/Washington Park neighborhood following a large event, you'll often hear them lament the rather jerkish behavior of people attending the parade/festival/whatever -- many of whom then head back home somewhere else, either out of the neighborhood or out of the city.
By the way: Here are a few videos from the parade itself.
Post Parade Arrests
Albany Police arrested two individuals for Disorderly Conduct and Assault following the St. Patrick's Day Parade
On March 16, 2013 at approximately 4:00 PM, beat officers assigned to parade security observed a fight in the area of Washington Avenue and Swan Street.
As officers were dispersing the crowd, Clint Junco, 18, Delmar, did lunge at and strike an on-duty police officer in the face with a closed fist. Junco was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, and Assaulting an Officer.
Additionally, officers arrested Najee Bennett, 17, Bethlehem, for Disorderly Conduct for engaging in tumultuous behavior.
The fight occurred after the parade had concluded and the crowd was quickly dispersed.
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Comments
While the actions of those involved in the violence was despicable, the filmmaker's narrations are worse.
... said Jackers on Mar 18, 2013 at 12:19 PM | link
Bored suburban white kids.
... said Chico on Mar 18, 2013 at 1:59 PM | link
We saw all the blood on the sidewalk on the walk back, and figured something like this happened. We were standing at the eastbound bus stop at Washington and Swan at the Smith Building and had no idea this was happening behind us.
... said Summer on Mar 18, 2013 at 3:01 PM | link
It sounded like the (for lack of a better term) "Bored suburban white kid" narrating this video shouts something using the N-word!
Apparently All over Albany has no problems with posting videos containing such terrible racist words.
... said Scumbag on Mar 18, 2013 at 9:41 PM | link
It is time to rethink this event. My wife took our 9 year old daughter (all dressed in green and very excited) to the parade and left shortly after arriving because of all of the drunk people and the swearing. It really has become embarrassing and my daughter was really bothered by the behavior. The city needs to step in an make the parade a no alcohol event. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is a mostly religious holiday. If we are truly celebrating St. Patrick's Day, we need to move in a different direction.
... said Chris on Mar 20, 2013 at 12:45 PM | link