Mob Mentality: Why They Riot

Rally, demonstration or riot: the phenomenon of mob mentality may be the trigger that transforms a peaceful crowd into a violent one. As the community of Ferguson struggles to maintain peace in its streets they have instituted a mandatory curfew and police are patrolling the streets in armored vehicles, using smoke and tear gas on people who refuse to disperse. The town is attempting to avoid the kind of violence and mayhem that has previously occurred following the acquittal of the four police officers involved in the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles in 1992, in Vancouver after the 2011 Stanley Cup finals game or in Detroit after the 1984 World Series.