Crossover Earth '98
Blur Stops Northridge Rally From Being a Riot
(Associated Press)
The people of Northridge, Los Angeles were protesting the development of Agri-tech Industries, a fertilizer manufacturing company within their suburban community. The protest rally outside Northridge City Hall nearly broke into a violent riot when picketers began threatening police officers, demanding to see the mayor himself. Tensions reached boiling points, and if it wasn't for the presence of the teen-aged speedster Blur, casualties could have been eminent.
For several months now, the people of Northridge have been signing petitions to ban Agri-Tech from operating in the valley. They claim that the fertilizer plant has been saturating the Los Angeles valley with toxic chemicals. Agri-Tech reports claim that their plant is perfectly safe; there are toxic concentrations of chemicals used in the process, but the safeguards meet all EPA guidelines. But fringe publications claim that some fertilizer plants are nothing more than way stations for processing toxic waste, and this has the Northridge people wary of Agri-Tech's effects.
If the truth lies somewhere in between these two views, that still leaves a doorway of danger to the community. And with Agri-Tech stationed in the center of Northridge, any hazardous chemical emissions are definite reasons for protest -- not only from the people of Northridge, but from the entire Los Angeles Valley. Strong winds could carry such chemicals even farther.
Map of Northridge
"I understand and sympathize with the people of Northridge, I really do," said Blur at a press conference after the incident. "But violence would have gotten the protesters nowhere."
The heroine apparently attempted to ease both the ralliers and the police, but when tempers began to flare, she had to resort to her fleeting antics. As Northridge suburbanites threatened law enforcement offices with sticks and other blunt instruments, Blur swept through the hostile crowd and disarmed them in mere heartbeats. But the true testament of the heroine's speedy powers was when a frightened police officer accidentally fired off a round from his revolver. Before anyone had time to react, Blur caught the bullet out of the air, saving any potential target.
The gunshot ended the protest rally as Northridge citizens fled from the scene. Blur tried to help maintain any remnants of order.
"I'm not too familiar with Agri-Tech," said Blur, "but I'm going to do what I can to learn more about the situation at hand."