The Los Angeles Lakers victory in the NBA championships ended on a sour note as Los Angeles Police Department officers clashed with rowdy fans.
The LAPD brought large numbers of officers into the Staples Center area hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s looting and violence. But fans went on a rampage in some parts of downtown L.A., throwing rocks, shattering windows, rocking cars and setting fire to at least one vehicle and several other objects.
At Figueroa Street and Venice Boulevard, police fired less-than-lethal rounds at fans after they overturned a city parking enforcement vehicle and set fire to orange fire cones. On the LAPD’s tactical frequency, officers at the intersection were heard requesting permission to fire projectiles at a group of men throwing chunks of concrete at them. The permission was granted.
Among other incidents:
–The YMCA at 11th and Olive was attacked by crowds who smashed windows and tagged walls with graffiti.
–Crowds rocked and jumped on cars around Figueroa Street and nearby roads.
–A KCAL-TV Channel 9 news van was attacked by a crowd, which smashed its windows.
–Groups were seen in several downtown locations knocking down news racks, throwing bottles at officers, setting off firecrackers and defacing signs.
The LAPD was making numerous arrests, but the exact number was not immediately available.
Police were able to clear the areas around Staples Center and the L.A. Live shopping complex. But the crowds moved into surrounding neighborhoods, causing problems. Some fans ran onto the freeway.
Police Chief Charlie Beck expressed general satisfaction with the way the massive police force was handling the challenge of dispersing 20,000 people and tamping down several violent groups.
“Obviously, some people didn’t heed our admonishments to celebrate safely, but unlike last year this has never gotten out of control. This has been a controlled exercise in crowd control. Unfortunately, we’ve had to manage some people more than we would have wanted.”
(Source: LA Times)
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14 Responses
In other news, Beverly Hills is pretty quiet…
Wait a second, the police officers fought back? I think we should get an international investigation on this! Why should they be allowed to defend themselves from danger? Where’s the nazi europeans and arabs outcry on this?
what a difference from the atzaros tfila in bnei Braq and in Yerushalayim. The only thing missing was enough gagbage cans for the countless cups, petel, and water bottles that wre distributed by various people and chassidusim e.g. tolos aharon, dushinskys…. mi k’amcha yisroel goy echad bo’aretz!!
Unfortunately here in America this happens sometimes after a team wins a championship. Why is YWN reporting this? Other national websites are not reporting this. So why is YWN? Is YWN trying to prove a point that look we jews protest so nicely in Israel yesterday so look at the non jews how they “celebrate”. If this is indeed your point as #3 has already pointed out then I am sorry you failed miserably. I won’t go into the fact that during the other protests recently there was violence by the frum yidden.
This post “borders” on racism and bigoted way of thinking on the editor of this website. There is no good reason to have posted this story on YWN.
#4 i think you are the bigot if there is rioting on the streets of a major u.s city i would call that news, so would anyone else. no one mentioned anything about the race of anyone “except you” of course so i conclude that if anyone here is a bigot it would be yours truly. take a good look inside before looking outside
#4, I am not sure why you are making a big deal about YWN reporting this. Also, to call every report on individuals acting in a disturbing and violent manner racism, is wrong. Did you protest when YWN reported on the protests in Israel. Why is that not racism? You can’t act like a bunch of animals and get violent at the drop of a hat (e.g. Rodney King riots) and then hide behind racism. If you act a certain way it will be reported.
#4
You obviously did not look too hard to support your claim of “other national websites are not reporting this”. This story was on the DrudgeReport (one of the most viewed websites in the world).
Additionally, YWN always sources their news. The LA Times is not “national” enough for you?
5 and 6 you still did not answer the question. Why does YWN feel this is news when no one else does? Also I said it borders on racism . I agree it’s not racism but it can be perceived to be so.
Although we don’t usually respond – especially after being called racists and bigots, but an exception was made.
This article was posted at approximately 2:00AM EST as this was taking place, and as the LAPD was screaming on their radios for permission to fire tear gas and rubber bullets. This seems pretty major to us. Maybe not to you if perhaps you live in a neighborhood that sees such violence on a daily basis.
We have no idea where you live, nor do we care, but YWN has readers in every Jewish community in the world, including many thousands of daily readers living in Los Angeles.
We felt this was major news to people living in that area, and for the record, so did every major NATIONAL news network at the time. We won’t list the sources as you seem to have lots of free time on your hands, so please, keep yourself busy for a while.
If this would take place in NYC, we suspect that you would not be questioning our editorial decision.
You also wrote: “I won’t go into the fact that during the other protests recently there was violence by the frum yidden.”
You may not be aware, but every time that Jews stage hafganos and there is violence YWN reports it accurately, and many times has run articles condemning those who ruin public property, and create hardship for those living in various neighborhoods etc.
4,
“This post “borders” on racism and bigoted way of thinking on the editor of this website.”
So why do you read this site in the first place? What does this have to do with racism? You are probably some weasel headed socialist liberal democrat who sits there waiting for someone to do something so you could jump up and down. Just because YOU dont like something, doesnt make it bad!
4,
Besides, if you know anything about LA, you would know this thuggery could EASILY spread to inzir neighborhoods. The frum ‘hood was torn apart during the “LA Riots” with Rodney “Cant we all get along” King.
We are living in difficult times. Violence, physical confronations are abound, at every corner. Celebrations, parties, gatherings can turn to hatred within moments. What can we do at least to slow it down in our own kehillos?
YW Editor I apologize for my comments. I was reading too much into it like #3. As you point out there are many frum jews who live in LA and the post was posted at 2am (11pm LA time). I thought you were trying to prove a point with the protest from yesterday. I would like to ask mechila to YWN and all of those who were offended by my comments. Thank You.
Editor Response: Apology accepted. Sorry if we were harsh in our response as well. Just needed to defend our position.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.