Veishea Celebration Cut Short Due to Violence

This year’s Veishea celebration at Iowa State University has been cut short following overnight violence in Ames.

That’s the decision from Iowa State University President Steven Leath after students and others flipped over cars and threw rocks and beer cans at police in Campustown. One student was badly injured when a light pole was knocked over on top of him.

“It’s with mixed feelings and a heavy heart that I’ve decided to suspend the remainder of this Veishea starting at 5 o’clock tonight,” Leath said at a news conference. “So, it’s done.”

In past years, violence during Veishea was blamed on non-students. But, Leath said it appears ISU students were primarily at fault. Leath said he’ll appoint a task force this week to help determine if Veishea will carry on in future years.