Unsanctioned Hamilton homecoming party sees up to 7,000 people [Video]

Of the thousands of people gathered at one of the “unsanctioned” street parties in Hamilton over the weekend, police said they arrested two people and brought 13 others in for public intoxication.

In a release issued Wednesday, Hamilton police said a series of these parties took over Westdale and Ainslie Woods neighbourhoods, located near McMaster University, on Saturday, also defined as Hamilton’s “university district.”

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Officers said there were about 6,000 to 7,000 people gathered at the party’s peak. On top of police, Hamilton Fire, paramedics, bylaw officers and special constables with McMaster Security boosted their presence in the communities as McMaster University celebrated homecoming events on Saturday as a welcome back to campus.

In a photo shared by police, hordes of what appears to be McMaster students can be seen lining the streets. A sign with the phrase “hawk tuah” can also be seen among the crowd.

As a result of the street party, police said they received 43 calls …