By Marlena Chertock
May 2, 2011
View coverage from The Pendulum of Elon students celebrations of the news of Osama bin Laden’s death here.
Around 12 a.m., after news of Osama bin Laden’s death spread on Twitter, other social media websites and cable news networks, students at Elon University began celebrating. They got in their cars, drove around honking their horns and waving American flags. They screamed, “USA” and “F*** Osama” out of windows. The celebrations lasted until 3 a.m.
Freshmen students Jane Ostrau, Erin Riley, Daisey Anderson* and Jackie Johnston* sat outside Carolina dorm around 12 a.m., watching cars honking horns and students screaming drive past.
They couldn’t stay in their dorm or go to sleep because it was so loud outside, Johnston said.
“I won’t be able to go to sleep after this,” she said.
A crowd of about 100 students formed in Danieley Commons around 12 a.m. Students burned pictures of bin Laden and cheered.
Campus security put out the small fire of newspapers and pictures of bin Laden.
Some students dressed up in costumes. One student dressed as Pikachu and another as Spiderman. Other students draped American flags of all sorts around their shoulders and heads, including beach towels.
Around 12:30 to 1 a.m., the crowd ran across campus to Smith dorm and then Carolina. The students rushed into Carolina, an all-girl’s dorm, to get more students to join the crowd.
The crowd then ran back to Danieley, where students drove cars through the crowd, honking horns and blowing on bull-horns.
A few students wearing American flag capes climbed on top of one car, leading the crowd in more chants with a megaphone.
“I don’t care if you’re Democrat or Republican or Independent,” one student said. “God bless America. USA, USA, USA.”
The students jumped off the car to crowd-surf. Campus security officers stood by, laughing at the students.
Songs and chants continued until about 3 a.m., when the crowd began to disperse.
*Names have been changed for privacy of the students.
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Students at Elon University celebrate Osama bin Laden’s death
Senior Evan Davis on why he joined celebration of bin Laden’s death
Crowd celebrating Osama bin Laden’s death rushes into Carolina dorm
Elon students sing “Star Spangled Banner” in celebration of Osama bin Laden’s death