‘Pandemonium’: Riot Breaks Out in Florida Over Release of New Nike Shoe
- Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:57am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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ORLANDO, Fla. (The Blaze/AP) — More than 100 law enforcement officers in riot gear broke up an out-of-control crowd waiting to buy a new basketball shoe timed to be released during the NBA All-Star Game in Orlando.
Authorities say there were no injuries or arrests late Thursday outside the Florida Mall. The crowd began getting unruly around 9:45 p.m. as hundreds of people packed the parking lot as they waited to purchase the $220, limited-edition Nike Foamposite One.
The Orlando Sentinel reports the crowd was asked to wait across the street when the mall closed at 9 p.m. But one person ran toward Foot Locker and the crowd followed.
That’s when police moved in on horseback. WOFL-TV has more:
Hundreds of people ran from the Florida Mall property as Orange County deputies cleared the area.
The new, glow-in-the-dark Nike Foamposite.
Orange County Sheriff deputies on horseback and dressed in riot gear with helmets and plastic shields moved in around 9:45 p.m. when things got out of control.
The huge crowd grew throughout the day outside the foot locker store for the midnight release of the new Nike All-Star Collection sneakers featuring glow in the dark soles and a galactic theme.
“I saw hundreds of people running toward me. I thought I was going to get trampled,” Amanda Charles, 20, who drove from Jacksonville to try to buy the glow-in-the-dark shoes, told the Sentinel.
“It was pandemonium,” added Rico Gomez. He flew to Orlando for a chance to buy the new Nikes.
But all who came left empty handed. Authorities formed a line and used shields to push back the crowd. Deputies on loudspeakers then announced there would be no shoe release.
“Florida Mall is closed,” a deputy driving around announced, reports the Sentinel. “Please leave the premises. This is an unlawful gathering. There is no shoe release tonight.”
No word on when the show will now be released.
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Comments (174)
Concerned Green Beret
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:20amAmericans have turned into a bunch of selfish pigs!
Report Post »txjb
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:13pmNot all Americans ! This is the blacks culture , they are followers not leaders. Had Jordan been a white man , these shoes (NIKE) would not mean anything to a black .
Report Post »kapnkd
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:16pmYou only used a half word in the very beginning of your sentence which clearly defines who the group REALLY is and about!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:18am50% of the country is on the government dole now and happy about it.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:24pmAnd spending that money on $220 shoes .. while working stiffs get stiffed with higher and higher taxes and fees.
Report Post »GIRTHMAN
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:40pmWelcome to Obamas hope and change. I bet you a million dollars he gets re-elected. wanna bet ?
as much as I want to see obama get defeated I beleive that they are sooo corrupt .that they can pull off another crooked election..
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:38pmThat’s Obommunism for ya!
Report Post »StrongViolentType
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:14amThe poor youth of Ameika that can’t find jobs, live at home with mommy, etc.
Report Post »DEVOLUTION
justangry
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:09amFunny nobody ever riots over a new line of WORK boots.
Report Post »StrongViolentType
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:15amPerfect!!!
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:35amOver 70% of African American kids are growing-up in a home where the father is AWOL.
The most confusing day in the African American community is ‘Fathers Day’.
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:39amIn our last election, Americans voted into office a man who openly hates America and the American way.
What the hell does that say about us as a people?
G-d help us all.
Report Post »littlefish
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:50amOccupy NIKE . . .Nike allows this . . . .encourages this . . . .
Report Post »AND . . ..AMERICAN CONSUMERS are Idiots . . . . .perfect storm
Hrothgar
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:36am$220 for a pair of Nike’s? Well at least the welfare check should cover it.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:12amjustangry
Now that was funny.
Report Post »rlimike
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:39amJustangry …. that’s ROTFLMAO funny !!!!!!!
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:41amHAH! No need to riot. They can have my sized 7-1/2 (ladies) steel-toed Frankenstein boots. I‘ll even throw in the Gellin’ insoles free!
Report Post »OklahomaBound
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:48amJust think of how bad the riot would have been if the store had offered a complete set of 20″ chrome wheels with spinners.
Report Post »A MERICAN
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:49pmYup. They have one pair of work boots in their house – that’s where their mommy hides her money cause she knows nobody in their house will ever pick them up.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:59amDumb@ss3s abound!
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:57amI blame Nike. There has to be a better way to market these shoes. I blame society for the priorities it has imposed on people thru advertizing these products as “special”. If things continue with the transformation of America, one of these days we will be happy to have any kind of shoes to wear.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:15amI agree that midnight shoe releases have proven to be a dumb idea over and over again. You can’t blame society though, blame the individuals who were down there rioting. When I was a kid I wanted a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars (I think they were called) really bad. All my parents could afford were the Converse Coach line, which was lame by the standards of the day. Did I try to steal a pair? No, I mowed lawns all summer to buy a pair when school started. That was an individual decision, not some group think. These little bastards all think society owes them a pair of Nike’s.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:16amits called personal responsability……………….blame nike…blame society…………….give me a break its always someone elses fault everybody makes there own choices !!!!!
Report Post »teddyc73
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:18amUm..how about blaming the people who are acting like animals over a pair of shoes. You know, personal accountability. Attitudes like yours are the problem, it’ always the fault of someone else.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:34amBlame Nike? Really? Did they cause the riot or did the people cause the riot? Desire for something does not constitute a right to do something illegal to get it. That is like blaming a girls short skirt for the rape that happened to her. God you are stupid.
Does a bamk that has no security guard make it guilty of a crime if it gets robbed because it made the robbery inviting?
If a guy says to himself…”I love that woman and if i cant have her, no one can” then he murders her, was she the guilty party?
Rethink your idiotic position man.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:49amWhy do we always blame others for acts or actions of people doing the wrong thing. If we follow your logic we should be able to go into a store, bank or whatever because they a lot of food or money and its their fault they have it and we don’t so its ok to act like animals and take it. HELP
Report Post »wolverine
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:51amYou have to remeber this clown is from a state that prosecutes people for stopping a criminal
Report Post »GIRTHMAN
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:43pmwell we did make their great great great great great great grandparents pick cotton years ago , so dont you think we should give them all free stuff ?
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:55amDING! pod!!
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:55amThe problem? If Obama was about being President of the USA, he would have left small business alone and created an environment for job growth, but his mouth and his agenda don’t line up. His mouth: we’re going to create job growth. His agenda: riots in the streets and Martial Law to save his azz from a potential loss in the fall elections. Obama is paranoid and covering all bases – at least he thinks so. Surprise – there‘s one base Obama can’t cover no matter how well prepared he thinks he is.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:55amWow, only 37% of food stamp recipients are black. But as blacks only make up 12%
Report Post »of the population 37% is an inordinately large amount. To put it another way; 1
in 3 black families gets food stamps, as opposed to 1 in 10 white families.
But blacks are out in the street for 200.00 shoes- 200.00 would go a long way for food. Thats right obama will give out food but not shoes so we will act like animals to gett hem. Obama needs to take over the shoe factory so we can get free shoes MAKES A LOT OF SENSE
Gonzo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:26amStating the facts is racist, you didn’t get that memo?
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:42am@Gonzo
Report Post »I know but you know the old saying someone has to do the dirty jobs. Sometimes the truth hurts those that don’t to hear it.
Cat
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:52amHere’s a clue;
Waited patiently in line at the grocer last Saturday while a well dressed black girl, dripping with gold jewelry (Except a wedding ring set) but carrying a newborn, paid for her groceries with WIC vouchers
Report Post »Then watched her load the public’s groceries into the trunk of a Mercedes C class and proudly drive off
Tom K
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:41pm@AJAYW: The Chinese won’t allow Obama to take over their shoe factories. They just pay the tiny tarriff and reap the huge profits. $3.00 materials + $1.00 labor & shipping = $200.00 before Nike’s cut, of course. Who cares if they cost $200 when it ain’t your money; thanks taxpaying suckers. Just wait, or prepare, for the food riots !
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:52amIt would be funny if it were not so sad. Honestly, rioting over basketball shoes? Jesse Jackson must be so proud. Maybe a midnight shoe release isn’t such a great idea. This stuff happens every time it’s done.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:56amC.mon Gonzo ponder the possibilities
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:21amIf they released them at 6:30 AM this wouldnt happen. Limited addition shoes will sellout no matter what time, but the rioters are not awake at that time so the sale will much easier and cost tax payers alot less.
I blame the rioters for this, but the store should be held responsible for the this in a way also.
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:33amIdiocy in the extreme! Is that a test run for Obama’s new civilian army. Just feed em and give them Nike’s. They’ll do whatever Obama wants.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:53amI was thinking the same thing. The people have been enslaved to the Federal Government for generations and are now nothing but tools. So sad.
There is more to these riots than meets the eyes.
Report Post »Stevsea
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:32amIf people will do that for shoes, what are they capable of when it is food that they need?
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:41amSTEVSEA: It appears that we will find out soon enough.
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:26pmat least we’ll be able to spot them at night.. :)
Report Post »Need to be FREE
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:32amHow many of these people have ipads and ipods? How many of those are getting money for the government?
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:41amProbably be easier to answer the question, How many aren’t getting money from the govment? Very few. They were coming with their Obama money to get some shoes.
Report Post »yancie
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:31amI wish they would put something in the shoes that would sterilize these punks.
Report Post »Spoutinghorn
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:27amCrazy Tea Party Terrorists wreaking havoc, yet again. Where’s Nancy Pelosi?
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:36amWherever there is trouble or danger, Pelosi will be nowhere to be found.
Report Post »elihu
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:26amIt‘s a ’cultural thing’.
Report Post »kapnkd
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:14pmNOTHING “cultural” about that crowd at all!!!
Report Post »NealPatrick
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:22amMeanwhile, Obama dedicates new African American History museum at the Smithsonian.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:22amI noticed something , did anyone else?
Report Post »Vonjustice
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:39amthey didn’t have shoes (grin)
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:27pmnice tans…
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:55pmI can’t quite put my finger on it???
Report Post »michael79
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:20amTalk about Super Consumers.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:17amWheres the Obama administration?Forget the hope and change,entitlements,and free Obama cell phones.If all it takes to pacify the sheep is a pair of Nike sneakers,let the production roar.Maybe save some tax payer dollars in the process.
Report Post »dictionmary
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:16amIt was just a re-election committe “rally”.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:16amNike has the best marketing strategy on the planet. They limit the number of shoes and raise the prices to make record profits. Tell me what is wrong with that? It’s called CAPITALISM.
The poverty pimps want Nike to stop this practice and make a bazillion shoes and sell them for very little profits to calm the demand…So go ahead and side with the poverty pimps if you dare.
The free market needs to rule but unfortunately it sdoes not in America. It is regulated by an out of control Government. I am sure Nike will get a little talking to by Obama soon enough…
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:10amWe have become a nation which is divided into two groups: the Morlock’s the Eloi’s.
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:08amWhat does this say about a segment of our society when a group of people are prepare to riot over a pair of shoes?
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:44amAsk Obama that question; the Community Organizer-in-Chief could answer with years of experience. He’s preparing to unleash his OWS crowd this summer.
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:07amI wish they would get that excited about a job opeining!
Report Post »horvath
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:26amThey got excited because they thought they could save 200 dollars by
Report Post »Starting a riot and looting.