Thousands of students are celebrating outside Beaver Canyon and in the HUB-Robeson Center after word broke late Sunday night that Osama bin Laden has been killed.
They have flooded Beaver Avenue, chanting “USA” and “F–k bin Laden,” singing patriotic songs and waving flags.
State College Police Department Chief Tom King said officers plan to let the large crowd “run its course” as it is not destructive. Fire police from the Alpha Fire Company are on the scene to assist with crowd control. Many police officers are in the streets.
Shortly after midnight, fireworks appeared in the sky and a small fire was spotted near Quizno’s, 317 E. Beaver Ave.
Students draped themselves in American flags and about two hours after the news broke, the crowd has not dispersed.
Marcus Mullens (junior-finance) was dressed as Captain America, taking photographs with people in the crowd.
“It was meant to be,” he said of the costume. “I’m not not going to show up to my own party.”
Mullens said his costume was the most patriotic thing he could find.
“This was the best thing for those who lost families on 9/11,” he said. “America is No. 1.”
Nate Jacobs (sophomore-biology) had his photo taken with Mullens.
“I was at the Mifflin Streak before and I thought that was going to be the most exciting thing to happen tonight,” he said.
Wrapped in an American flag, Jake Arnold (junior-statistics) was studying for finals when “freedom called.”
“This is awesome, I love America, hate Osama,” Arnold said, outside Cedarbrook Apartments, 309 E. Beaver Ave. “This is America at its finest.”
Gary Burner (junior-finance) wore a cowboy hat and American flag shirt and said today should be a national holiday and that finals should be canceled so that students can celebrate.
Earlier tonight, words “Justice has been done” echoed throughout the HUB-Robeson Center before midnight Sunday as more than 150 students huddled around the projection screen, cheering as President Barack Obama took the podium.
Obama announced during his address to the nation, that Osama Bin Laden, leader of Al-Quaeda and architect of the attacks of September 11, 2001, was found and killed in Pakistan by United States personnel.
The announcement was made by the White House a little before 11 this evening, but President Barack Obama only spoke around 11:30. During his speech, Obama explained the operations it took to find and capture Bin Laden.
Obama said last August he was briefed to a possible lead in bin Laden, and where he was. After many months, and five meetings with the CIA said a White House senior Administrator, Obama had been told last week about bin Laden’s place of being.
Saturday, Obama said at his direction, the United States launched the operation against the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Bin Laden was killed in a fire fight, and the team was careful to avoid civilian casualties.
“I was shocked,” said Penn State student Loan Tran (junior-biobehavioral health). “When I saw it on the screen that Bin Laden was dead, I must have re-read it so many times. I cannot believe it’s true.”
In spite of looming finals and stressful days to come, the students in the HUB were far from studying as they erupted in cheers and claps during the brief address. “USA” chants could be heard outside from the crowd inhabiting the streets of Beaver Canyon, celebrating the victory for the U.S. military.
Obama began his address detailing the tragedies of the attacks of 9/11, recognizing the families of the victims, and then describing the efforts to find and kill the notorious terrorist – something he said, though, doesn’t mark the end.
“To the families: we have never forgotten your loss,” Obama said to the nation. “Let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed.”
Student Jason Alexandre said he was in awe of the news, and that the announcement was unexpected, but warmly welcomed.
“I was really excited when I heard the news, but it pretty much came out of nowhere. I didn’t even really know we were still looking for him,” Alexandre (junior-biology) said.
Jordan Pangelinan who looked upon in the HUB as well as the President delivered his speech, said the death of Bin Laden is a morale booster for the country, and that he hopes this provides closure for the families affected by the attacks
Pangelinan (sophomore-economics) said though that this isn’t the end of the War on Terror.
“This is a war situation, but I think because of the revolutions, this will make the Middle East stand up for themselves,” Pengelinan said.
Amongst the disbelief and shock though, the Penn State students huddled around the ten by ten screen still expressed their hopes for the changing future.
Alexandre said, “And now it’s finally time to think about bringing our troops home.”