The First Riot was initiated by a group of young University students, inspired by pages from The Red Journal. The students were neither Libertines nor had Libertine connections. It was a significant moment for the city, being the first event where the people rose up and voiced their discontent with the Family System.
It took place in Saint Silvius Square on November 24, 2008.
The Protest had peaceful beginnings with a student speaker, Raymond, calling for the release of William Grant and for information about The Hoyle family, who had mysteriously gone missing. Crowd presence rapidly grew with more people calling down curses on the Families. Brigade presence intensified and an attempt was made to shut the Protest down. The Brigade was belittled by Raymond and, when they tried to dismantle the equipment they were attacked by protesters and a young man was struck dead by a Brigadesman's truncheon.
From there, the protest quickly disintegrated into a full-scale riot. The Brigade opened fire and began making arrests, rounding up innocent civilians as well as anyone involved in the protest itself. The protest was eventually shut down violently by the Brigade.
The final count was 14 deaths, 52 citizens hospitalized and 150-200 arrests made.
The event was seriously downplayed by the Media under direction of the Families. Claims were made that it was a Libertine-backed event and they had willfully attacked the Brigade. No mention was made of what Raymond had spoken of or of the Brigade's attempt to dismantle the equipment and quash freedom of speech.
The First Riot was followed by The Second Riot.
Notable citizens in attendance: Cassandra de Winter, Mackenzie Bennett, Dee Ryan, Astrid Wilding, Rayne Eleison, Benjamin Post, Ciara Martin, Jennifer Kelly, Daniella Jade, Chase Thomsen
Libertines in passive attendance: Jonah Harper, Bianca Reid, Trist Bourdain, Gianna Elysee, John Smith, Noemie Desjardins.
Peter Quentin was also present.
