March 23, 1955 - by 'Fanatic'

They won’t forget what happened here in Montreal for years. The papers have been calling it ‘the Rocket Richard Riot’ (11, 15). We made ourselves heard and made sure that Campbell and everyone else knew exactly what we thought about Richard’s suspension. We picketed outside the Forum until midway through the first period; that’s when everyone inside came running out (1)! Someone had set off a tear gas bomb right were Campbell was sitting; people started choking and running, then the picketing turned into rioting (2).

(22)

There was yelling, people setting fires and throwing rocks, stopping streetcars and looting the stores (8, 9). They’re still cleaning up St. Catharines Street from our mess! The police arrested a few people; one guy who squeezed a tomato over Campbell was tried yesterday, and on Friday they had a trial for twenty of the demonstrators (10). Since the Riot the police have been at both the Canadiens-Rangers game on Saturday to keep us from starting the protest up again (11), as well as the Canadiens-Bruins game yesterday trying to protect Laycoe (10). Do you see what I mean? Police protection for Laycoe, while Richard lives out the punishment – that’s justice?
Things will never be the same after this – the Anglos will shut up and pay attention now when Quebec speaks, and give us the respect and treatment we deserve.