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Posted on Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.

University of Michigan students celebrate death of Osama bin Laden on South University

By Michael Rothstein

SAM-MEJIA-MICHIGAN.jpg

Michigan senior Matthew Mejia, Ann Arbor, waves a flag as senior Simin Manole, Ann Arbor, stands at the intersection of South University and Church streets on Sunday night while they celebrate the announcement of the death Osama bin Laden.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

He saw the news scroll up Facebook late Sunday evening, a simple post in the midst of the banality of college life. Then came another and 21-year-old University of Michigan senior Matthew Mejia yelled to his roommate and turned on the television.

This they had to see.

After President Barack Obama confirmed the news reports that U.S. forces killed Osama Bin Laden, Mejia and his roommate, Simin Marole, borrowed a United States flag from his landlord and headed for the Diag on the Michigan campus. They eventually reached the corner of Church and South University to celebrate.

“It’s the beauty of Facebook, I guess,” Mejia said.

The student celebration on the Michigan campus, coming one day after graduation, was muted compared to those reported from Penn State, LSU and other campuses.

But Mejia felt pride and drew some attention waving his newly acquired American flag on the corner of the street.

“We tried for the Diag to see if anyone congregated,” Mejia said. “Then we came to the bars, because there was no one there.”

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Others tried, too, usually walking by, seeing no one around and then proclaiming they’d head to the bars to celebrate instead.

As Mejia stood and waved his flag attached to a makeshift pole, a group of newly inducted ROTC students walked by, sprayed and broke champagne bottles on the ground in front of Good Tyme Charley’s and made their way to the Brown Jug.

Cars drove past, horns honking. Two motorcycles led a red Jeep driving around the South University area, blasting patriotic American songs. A group of girls singing along screamed out open windows.

Another car drove by with a bullhorn, screaming, “USA, Yeaahhh.”

Groups of students posed with Mejia and his flag. A trio of students wrapped in American gear marched around the streets, one carrying and blowing a vuvuzela between “USA, USA” chants.

Mike Martin, a Michigan football player, walked by, touched Mejia’s flag and said, “Yeah, America,” and gave Mejia a high-five.

Overall, though, there wasn’t as much of a party in Ann Arbor as in other college towns across the country. Most students stopped by for a second on their way to various bars.

As they did, Mejia stood on the corner, waving his flag and trying to get as many people as possible to celebrate.

“It’s just a good night to be an American,” Mejia said. “I heard a lot and we were here during the 2008 celebration for (the election of) Obama and that was a good time. Figured it would happen again.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein

Comments

smokeblwr

Tue, May 3, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.

Why is everybody on here such a bunch of Debbie Downers? We should all be happy he's dead and if you have a problem with that then why are you living in this country? USA! USA! And if you are hating on Obama I ask of you: "Why do you hate America? Is it our freedom?"

shrewdrealist

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.

Your silence gives consent. You know who you are.

Mr. Tibbs

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.

funny thing this timing and all. At least that is what they said about GWB if he had managed the same thing but there are also rumors that Bill Clinton WOULD NOT give the order to a sniper who had bin laden patterned and sighted. so what do we do now? what do we do if the islamist fundamenalists in this country take "serious offense" to this? Do we tolerate some more? we have been forced up till now anyway. to this action I say great timing Obama, now you can take Osama's place! no need for violence anymore, you can destroy us from within. Spending frenzies, uncontrolled immigration AND illegals having never paid any taxes at all recieveing tons of tax money from people who are loosing thier jobs everyday. we have free health care alright, if you are illegal..... funny thing this killing of UBL....or izzit OBL? And who are these people who are in the streets celebrating? Don't you have jobs to go to in the morning? and this burial at sea.....no body to DNA, and oh yeah, I trust this government. Just like the grassy knoll thing. it wasn't the grassy knoll, it was on the other side of the fence from the train yard, the grassy knoll was just a red herring!

Adam Betz

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.

For those of us in the combat arms profession, the war is not done...most Americans will still sit at home and be armchair generals while we less than 1% continue to fight and die for a society that doesn't understand us.

amlive

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.

Don't get me wrong. Bin Laden had to be gotten rid of one way or another, and I'm not at all sad to hear he's dead. It's just this celebratory spirit at the taste of blood, and cheerful revelry of vengeance that sits a bit uneasy with me. As Lorie said - Are we really THAT kind of people? Kids who were barely 10 when the WTC fell, out there waving flags and spraying champagne to celebrate the killing of a not-quite-so-strategically-important-as-he-once-was figurehead? I guess that just leaves me feeling a bit uneasy. Justice? I think so. Good news in the fight against extremists and terrorism? We'll have to wait and see. I just don't see anything to cheer with joy about though. Sounds more like drunken bloodlust to me.

libertyordeath

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.

Did Bin Laden deserve to die? Probably. But please, let's refrain from spewing and spreading hatred as he did.

FredMax

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.

None of your family was murdered by bin Laden, otherwise "probably" you would be a bit more invested.

catfishrisin

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.

"Probably" how about definitely

David Briegel

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.

Hey Bush, Obama Accomplshed YOUR Mission!

braggslaw

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.

What was the point of this post?

libertyordeath

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.

Both Bush and Obama should get some credit. But where most of the credit lies is with the men and women of our armed forces and the people who work in intelligence. They are the ones to thank. Justice was served by America, not by Obama nor by Bush.

djm12652

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.

Sorry David, but it started with Clinton putting bin Ladead on the most wanted list as the world's #1 most dangerous criminal...

Alan Goldsmith

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.

Good one!

Elizabeth Nelson

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.

I'm conflicted when I read about these celebrations, some of the flag-waving quotes re: his death. I appreciate that we're relieved he's gone, but I'm not sure it's cause to get excited along the lines of "YAY AMERICA!" We killed one crazy lunatic who wanted to see us destroyed... if we take such pleasure and satisfaction in his death, what kind of message is that to the crowd of other lunatics who thought he had the right idea and still believe that America is evil, deserves to be taken down? The joyful reaction just feels a little uncomfortable to me. And not because I'm thinking the job isn't 'done' (i.e. "One down... lots MORE to go...") We've got to figure out how we're going to eliminate the hostility among people LIKE Bin Laden. Is the plan really to just kill them all? Is it?

djm12652

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.

Eliminate the hostility? Elizabeth, bin Laden and his "type" to begin with, would most likely cause great harm to any woman who dare speak her mind, let alone give such an opinion...and I'm hoping the plan is to kill them all, like rabid animals...they don't care if one is Christian or Muslim...one is either with them or dead...bin Laidonthebottom of the sea has killed many more Muslims than non-Muslims...

braggslaw

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.

his ultimate fate <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmN2cVOr5W4" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmN2cVOr5W4</a>

Mike

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:37 p.m.

A lot of Americans and others have died as a result of this mans twisted ideology. I'm glad he's gone from the face of this earth but there are many more vermin like him. All of the money and military might will not unfortunately rid the earth of people like this so full of hatred and disregard for human life. God Bless America for if she falls the whole world will have nowhere to turn for help and protection. We won't be destoyed by outside attackers, our politicians will figure out a way to spend us into oblivion unless we elect those who are fiscally responsible.

Alan Goldsmith

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.

What, no AnnArbor.com poll?

NewStart

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.

I am glad this Charles Manson prototype is gone. Yes, his idiot followers are going to mobilize, however they have already changed your airport travel routine forever and we are going to be on Alert forever it seems. It's a war....sorry. Is it merely a coincidence that the economy has gone down the toilet since 9/11? I sure hope nationalconfidence improves and we have an upswing in the economy now. Hurray... the boogie man is dead!!!

Mike

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.

No coincidence the economy tanked after 9/11. That's what terrorists do, a small group frightens a bigger group and causes them to react disporportionately and end up destroying themselves in the process. It's not that hard to panic Americans. Look at the stock market swings, mention that something causes cancer and watch the reaction. People today are afraid of everything. I'd be afraid of everything too if I didn't have God in my life. I know I'm only here for a short time and someday I'll be leaving here for a better place. So anything that happens in my short lifespan is only temporary. Nobody cheats death, even bin laden.

Wolf's Bane

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 11:43 a.m.

I think celebrations are premature since we a) don't know the reaction of fundamentalist Islamic extremists and b) our mighty Military Industrial Complex keeps swallowing up our tax dollars that would be better utilized in revamping our schools and social programs. Besides, until we see the body, I don't believe any of it.

djm12652

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.

see the body? with two, high caliber pops to the head, at relatively close range...not gonna see much. God keep our troops safe!

Wolf's Bane

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.

I'm just saying that their reaction could, possibly, cost another 3000 American lives? Glad to hear you agree regrading the insane spending.

Mike

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.

Who cares about the reaction of the fundamental islamic extremists? That's part of the problem. You can't negotiate with evil. I agree with you regarding spending untold billions chasing these devils especially in a country where we borrow .42 of every dollar we spend. I wonder if they will show the body as they did with Sadaam Hussein?

Grant

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.

Since we broke it, do we own it, like all the other countries we have &quot;helped&quot;?

bedrog

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:25 a.m.

If this is indeed true...Alhamdulillah!! ( thankgod!)...with bells and pretty flowers on. But lorie's also right. He symbolized a much wider movement some of whose followers will dig in even deeper. However a bit of celebrating for this one case of deserved justice is definitely in order in these otherwise bleak news days.

pseudo

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:21 a.m.

Really? We're THAT kind of people? This isn't a time to party or celebrate - the job's not done. This is just a little bit of justice on the way to a better world. Grow folks.

squidlover

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.

I guess that I don't have a problem with you labeling me as &quot;THAT kind of people.&quot; The only remorse I have about this news is that it didn't happen sooner. This terrorist coward had to be taken out, and now that he has been I would like to share in the victory of the moment.

Moscow On The Huron

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.

&quot;Really? We're THAT kind of people?&quot; You dang right we are, and proud of it.

Jonny Spirit

Mon, May 2, 2011 : 11:33 a.m.

Take in the moment and push forward. 1 scum bag gone! Time to keep moving forward. Go USA!