At least 25 arrested amid unrest after Lakers victory

 

[Updated 11:50 p.m.:  The LAPD says at least 25 people have been arrested.]

What started as a celebration of the Lakers' NBA Championship turned ugly when some revelers in downtown Los Angeles sparked fires, vandalized cars and buildings, set off fireworks, looted stores and clashed with police.

At least eight people were arrested, most at the Staples Center and a few others at a smaller gathering in the Crenshaw District, Los Angeles Police Department  officials said.  Most arrests involved disturbing the peace but there was one arson case.

Authorities said several police cars were damaged along with several MTA buses and a KABC-TV Channel 7 news van. Some fans marched up an onramp to the 110 Freeway and cheered passing cars. 

There were also scattered reports of looting.  A crowd broke the window of shoe store and ran through a gas station mini-mart, stealing products. 

By 11 p.m., the crowd -- which once measured more than 1,000 -- had thinned out, and police were trying to break up small groups of Lakers fans causing trouble. Earlier, groups roamed the streets around the Staples Center, shaking passing cars and throwing debris. The situation worsened as Lakers fans in cars poured into the South Park area, some waving Lakers flags and cheering. 

LAPD Chief William J. Bratton told KTTV Channel 11 that the crowd threw rocks and bottles at some officers and that he was proud of his department's response. He described the people causing the problems as "knuckleheads" and "cowards."

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies were out in force in East Los Angeles, where some fans got out of hand after a Lakers victory last week. Celebrants were on the streets cheering and setting off some fireworks, but deputies reported no major problems.  Deputies did close Whittier Boulevard for a while.

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz at Staples Center and Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Louie]

Looks like Kobe can have his day before Roy and the Rip City revolution take over as the new west coast dynasty in 2010. Phil will be the one with the depressing face when the curse of the rose garden comes full circle this season.

[LetsGoMets]

Only 8 arrests out of how many criminals? 1,000?

LAPD should be shooting first, asking questions later. These people are all guilty of something.

[Gary]

Once more the degenerates destroy the city because of a stupid basket ball game! Pathetic!

[JIFISH]

I wish people would stop referring to these trouble makers as Lakers fans. They are NOT Lakers fans. They are simply thugs looking for an excuse to loot and destroy property. I'll bet the ones that were arrested can't even tell you the names of the Lakers starting five.

[Shawn]

I wonder if the lakers endorse this activity....

[Ellis]

I guess LA's unwashed masses need their fun too...

[Phil]

Stay classy, Los Angeles.

[Josh Green]

And this was supposed to be a celebration? I do hope that the news media, including the LA Times, posts the names and photographs of ALL PERSONS involved in the rioting.

[logan]

come on laker fans, be classy. also, what's up with the looting during the recession? you're prob killing those businesses. give love to the lakers, and love to l.a.... if you want to loot, go do it in boston haha!

[sailordave]

Way to go Laker fan. Way to show the world you're ignorant animals with no sense of self control. Way to go LA Police. Way to show you have no balls at all at enforcing the law and order on the streets. Where were the tear gas? Where were the water cannons? Where were the rubber bullets? Was this a celebration or a rerun of the Rodney King riots?

[L.A. Resident]

How embarrassing. they obviously didn't learn anything from the years prior. Cowards, maybe. Stupid? definitely.

[JR Salazar]

I love L.A.

[wayne]

Animals, cjange you can believe in supporters.

[Linda]

The same loser thugs who ruined the Raiders for respectable people are well on their way to doing the same for the Lakers. Soon enough, NO decent folks will come downtown -- or bring their families downtown -- and put their lives at risk for a sports event.

[Jonathan S]

Attention civic officials: this is why the city needs a parade, to give an appropriate outlet for everybody's emotion. No parade, no peace.

[Richard Roupolic]

La County Sheriffs were not afraid to show there force and challenge anyone who may have gotten out of hand quickly forcefully and surgically. LAPD allowed people to develop and implement a mob mentality and execute there terrorist actions for several hours leaving citizens and property free to be destroyed at there will. LAPD is still not smart enough to keep people back to protect there property and allow people to vandalize Our City Equipment. It's not that the LAPD can't win, it's that they fail at both extremes. Either to much force or not enough, They can't manage to stop beating reporters or control gang bangers and terrorists the number of mistakes they made last night are in the hundreds, yet they still think they did a good job. Attempted Train Derailments, Felony vandalism Arson Assault with deadly weapons, these are more then knuckleheads these are felons.

[Richard Yaussi]

These jerks give Los Angeles an international reputation as "THUGTOWN". What kind of celebration is it to throw bottles and rocks at a bus while people are aboard, loot stores, or set fires? These guys are lowlife thugs. The damage they inflict on the reputation of LA exceed by far the property damages done.

[Kole]

Each one of them should have been summarily executed on the spot.
Kole in Dallas

[texasmred]

Such class in LA. Next time the Times should replay how San Antonio celebrates WITH class. Of course the bottom feeders use any excuse to steal. Congrats to the Lakers!

[Louweegie272]

You see Chief Bratton, the City really is a safe as it was in 1956!

[Darryl]

That's weren't fan's ....That was some idiots . real fans either stay home or celebrated and then went home...

[denise]

Great victory but how unfortunate that the underbelly of L.A. society commonly known as thugs and losers decided to unleash their toxic anger on a happy event.

What is up with burning items and destroying property all in your own city? What an attention whore move resulting in arrests for many, was it really worth it.

GO LAKERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lissette]

Go Lakers!!!
It is unfortunate to see how poor peoples' mentalities can turn when it comes to celebrating a victory. Being a Laker fan does not mean to go out and destroy; is about about motivation. Is about showing show your kids that anyting can be possible if you put your effort and time. Lets' teach our kids the meaning of motivation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sad]

Sad day for Los Angeles, this is really what the city has become. Soon LA will be no different then any other third world slum city. Maybe it already is!

[scorpions]

You Lakers fans don't have class.We the San Antonio Spurs have more class.Kobe Bryant is just a cry baby

[Richard Steptoe]

Once again, something that's suypposed to be joyous turns ugly!. "Wake up, Everybody, time for thinking ahead. No more backwards thinking, time for thinking ahaed" (Harold melvin and the Blue Notes) When are the good people on L.A.'s most downtrodden neighborhoods realize that violence and thuggery are what keep us down. We dare not go to Beverly Hills to celebrate, but yet we DESTROY our own neighborhoods. As a product of South-Central who participated in the victory parades ar The Forum when the "Showtime" Lakers won multiple Championships, I can't ever remember a rock being thrown, much less cars being rocked and clashing with the police. Part of the reason I now live in San Diego is because of stupid people of all minority nationalities (yes, including us some of us Black People) fortify the stereotype of South-Central. When we gonna realize that we're killing ourselves as much as we claim the LAPD is!!!

[Liz]

Animals!!!!!!!!!

[Rene C]

Although I'm a San Antonio Spurs fan I have to extend my Congratulations to the Lakers. They're the best team this year and deserve respect even though I can't stand them. It's too bad that the people of LA act like morons everytime the Lakers win a championship. It cheapens their accomplishment and only reminds us what a rat hole LA has become. Show some class like we do in SA.

[Big Jim Slade]

So I suppose this was a bunch of middle class white guys rioting?

Or could I be mistaken?

[barf]

if you think last night was bad, the minute we have a huge earthquake, the riots will commence, and there wont be any help for you from law enforcement......

does anyone now think that LA is a safe place?

when the city starts closing down next month the truth of what LA really is will show........... a third world city...........

[Sick N. Tired]

It was interesting watching the, uuh, festivities on live TV last night. I wonder about the profile of a young man whose primary mode of transportation is the bicycle - and there were a LOT of bicycles. How about we forget the parade and get back to building that freaking wall?

[Patrick Lewis]

fans had a right to honer the lakers . But like what happened . Was wrong > The Knucklheads must pay ( the 25 ).
I was watching game four. The last 3 min. Dish desided to do a systems check my T.V. went blank . But I did not go out side and burn my truck .

[tangient]

Just an excuse for the low lifes to go out and pillage, rape and destroy their neighborhoods! There are a lot of wonderful people living in the area of Staples! Now they get the bad name! Those idiots are a make up of all the low lifes in LA! Just amagine what this has done to tourism? People watched this Nationally and today it will be broadcast all over the world! Not a great example! I am ashamed!

[tangient]

Just an excuse for the low lifes to go out and pillage, rape and destroy their neighborhoods! There are a lot of wonderful people living in the area of Staples! Now they get the bad name! Those idiots are a make up of all the low lifes in LA! Just amagine what this has done to tourism? People watched this Nationally and today it will be broadcast all over the world! Not a great example! I am ashamed!

[Cal]

last night celerbration was not really to celerbrate the Lakers won the championship. It was more like these people out there to celebrate Mexico independence day. What a shame???

[Richard E.]

While there really is no excuse for turning a victory celebration into a riot that threatens innocent families and businesses, lets be for real here. This is the culture of sports idolatry in our civilization. Look at what happened in Spain recently after Barcelona beat Manchester in the European Championship. And before the L.A. Times racial-and class-handicapped readers starts getting funny ideas, just look at what happened in Boston last year (see videos on youtube), where a man died amidst the melee whose color was whiter than an east coast snowstorm. That's just Western society for you. In Iran people are rioting for democracy. Go figure.

[joe]

this is not the same city I grew up in and that's why I moved out of state L.A. is now a third world country riots after Laker wins and marchs for rights for illegals.

[Chris]

I agree with Linda's post. Sadly, the people who acted like violent fools will not read these posts nor will they care. Me and my husband went out to enjoy the celebrations, but I got scared and my husband got mad so we got home before the chaos erupted. It is sad that REAL Laker fans can not enjoy their win because of some unsavory characters (who are NOT real Laker fans but opportunistic criminals) who have no respect for anyone or anything. I am highly disgusted at these people... why didn't they stay on their block and tear up and terrorize their own neighbors and their own apartments/homes/cars? Going on the freeway?! What a bunch of ignorant youths/thugs/whoevertheyare. AND I know there were more people that should have been arrested than that! BUT... with jail overcrowding, I guess they were trying to keep it a low number. But if I were in my car getting jostled like that, I would have taken pictures of these people and went to the police later and pressed charges for them vandalizing my car!

No, the Lakers do not endorse this behavior (as Fisher urged peeps not to act like they did) nor do Laker fans. SMH @ these people because not all Laker fans are like that and as per usual, it only takes a small group for people to make other people assume and generalize that all fans are the same way... I am surprised that Antonio Villaragosa didn't show up with his 2,000 teeth for a photo op to explain why alll those people (mmmhmmm) chose violence over peace. I guess he was too busy with the Gay Pride activities across town! Heehee....

[pam s.]

we rant and "rage" here - but the idiots last night can't read this let alone behave like humans.
It was a good Laker win series tho.

[lou]

I don't understand the purpose of this, whether the Lakers would have won or lost. These foolish people always have to start some type of drama in the streets of L.A. Obiviously they do not have any kind of respect for the city. PATHETIC!!!

[Girllaker4ever]

They obviously thought it was a soccer championship. I'm so sick of ignorant people ruining things and turning what should have been a celebration into something embarrassing, not only for the city but for the Lakers organization. Classy way to show your team spirit. Next time, tear/burn up your own house.

[Ed]

How can LAPD show any force with the ACLU and loser "community groups" breathing down their throat just waiting to file a frivolous lawsuit because they were only doing their job. In a perfect world, these idiots would at least be tear-gassed or shot with rubber bullets (too bad not with real ones), but you could just hear the lawsuits forming and more raping and pillaging of the LA taxpayer.

[WastingTime]

Why do you people waste your time saying what everyone already knows. You think any of those idiots last night are reading your comments. I just think it's sick when you see these idiot parents with their kids out there and in strollers. What were they going to do when it got ugly.

[EmThis]

Way to go, Thug City! Clearly, L.A. sports "fans" lead by example. The pattern and the message are clear. As in, "I just want to move on" thugster Manny Ramirez. Dodger "fans" and ownership should absolutely turn their backs on Ramirez and his conduct, and MLB should oust him permanently from the game, set the proper example for all of pro baseball. Instead, Ramirez is worshipped, condoned, or tolerated by the SAME mentality of thugs looting and vandalizing their way to "celebration" in downtown L.A. Anything to "win" is the message. Loot, steal, break the rules is the pattern. Yeah, a show of real class, L.A. Contemptible.

[Brian]

If it weren't for the ACLU and their liberal friends, the LAPD could have been prepared for these problems and would have stopped them before they started. Instead, the LAPD has to be concerned with avoiding multi million dollar lawsuits from the ACLU for the benefit of the losers we saw on TV last night. The ACLU is one of the dangerous groups in America.

[Largolargo]

Soccer has nothing to do with the crowd's actions. Please do not compare or blame this one to soccer

[Richard]

Why would any one think in applying a general label of "LAKER FANS" to those thugs & include everyone that lives in LA? If you do, you are just as dumb as those morons. I can guarantee you that most of them (people causing the civil disturbance) are not reading anything stimulating, farther more this editorial column. We do have real LAKER FANS that act civilized and celebrated at home. Los Angeles is a city of millions of people and several bad apples does not make the entire city bad.

[Cindy of Angels]

These losers should go to the place where acting like a jerk in the name of fandom is not only allowed but encouraged: Dodger Stadium.

[Marcos El Malo]

I'm detecting a LOT of jealousy out there towards L.A. and our CHAMPIONSHIP Lakers. Yes, it's a black eye that there was some hooliganism, but it doesn't take away from our great victory. Thankfully, the LAPD was prepared and nipped it in the bud. The fact that there 25 arrests out of a thousand people celebrating on the streets show that the police could tell the difference between the merely rowdy and the violent thugs.

Those of you that accuse L.A. of being a third world city, why don't you say what you really mean? Why hide behind cowardly code words? Just say that you don't like L.A. because of the large number of non-whites.

[anthony hall]

Viva Los Lakers...........

[Stephen]

Where do people get off on trashing property and hurting others after winning a championship. Way to go Laker Fans, you make your city look like a 3rd world country acting like a bunch of hooligans!

[Eric]

And once again, LA proves that it is a city of thugs, misfits and criminals. It is a shame that our leaders and special interest groups believe that this kind of behavior is more important than creating a safe city for all of us to live in. Bring back Chief Gates.

[In the trenches]

I notice you don't post my comments, what's the problem?

[Carl Lehman P.I.]

These fracases had nothing to do with the Lakers... It's an old formula: For instant jerks? Just add alcohol. To Chief Bratton's credit, the LAPD prepared after the Wed. Whittier Blvd. incidents VS Daryl Gates who would have pouted down in the O.C. and, Nero-like, let the city burn.

[Alex]

I agree with everyone that these types of "celebrations" are uncalled for. It really is a sad representation of the City of Los Angeles. I feel that these people should all be identified and the bill for the damages should be handed out to them. Let them all enjoy a few thousand dollars in bills for their actions.

In response to Joe who posted at 7:34 6/15/2009. Your comment alone shows me why the U.S. is the way it is when speaking of ignorance. You called the city a third world country because of a select few groups. The fact that this article had nothing to do with immigration, yet you found a way to bring that up, shows me that we as Americans will never prosper until we are able to see each other as people and not identify everyone by race. Racism will only hold this city back.

[Rigo]

Yeah. Im Latino. Im a Laker Fan, and i was there. Honestly there was no need at all for all this mess. It was fun driving around and honking the horn. There was just no need for all this additinal violence. Man it makes us look so dam bad.....

[Itsgottabeadream]

Bratton needs to treat these...freaks the way that Chief Parker would have ordered his officers to do in 60's...shoot first and be done with it. Walk away and let the Street Sweepers clean up the mess.

[Andy]

Those fans, unlike the basketball team, are a bunch of losers. Do something for your community.

[NoLAFan]

Classless people and a classless team. What else did anybody expect????

[Greg]

Ed: You hit the nail on the head! (Hey, it rhymes too)

[KK]

Nothing new. This is Los G-angles. I am amazed the police just let that happen. We are the gang capital of the world.

[sam magee]

Why do the street thugs always come out after a sports team title? After seeing all these cowards and "wanna be's" on TV doing violent damage, I wish the law enforcement could be much more lethal. I'm not being politically correct but just stating what I saw it appeared that most of these thugs were hispanic or black.
Get with the program people.

[David]

the only scum that turned the scene ugly were all the gang bangers and riff raff that live in that area ... the best scene of the night was of the idiot holding the Mexican flag up as he's homies burned and trashed MTA stops ... all those involved have put yet another black mark on L.A. ....

[Lionel]

Team members should make a statement and ask people to stop behaving like idiots...

They completely cheapened the championship...!

Team should ask them not to wear a Lakers jersey again...

[Chris R]

I don't know who is worse; the rioters or some of the people posting on this blog

[Atlanta]

The Lakers may have won. But Orlando has all the class in the world.

[WebHead]

I love reading these posts because it brings out the best in people. Born and raised in this great city didn't only change my views of how far people are willing to go if you give them a reason, but it convinced me to leave and look outside the box. You guys have to understand that most of these people have been trapped here for years and dont have any intentions on stepping outside of the box if you will. Eventually, they will all set themselves on fire and burn the whole city down with them. With that said, I will always be a Lakers fan. Go Lakers!

[roy]

Most of these knuckleheads were illegal gang bangers in the area.

[JP]

What a bunch of morons! This is not soccer! This is not Mexico, South America, Central America or Europe! They should have locked the whole area down, detained all 1000 of the idiots involved or WATCHING, and checked their citizenship status. If they were illegals, they shoulda been on a morning bus outta here

[Phil E. Drifter]

I'll never understand that. I will NEVER understand what prompts ... actually, I think I just realized what it was: alcohol + stupid mindless bipeds + home town major league sport win = vandalism. (Of course, this is what's to be expected from alcohol: it makes people tend toward violence [beer muscles], makes you fat, stupid, uncoordinated and obnoxious. You don't see potheads ['stoners'] out doing that stuff. No other drug, legal or not, has anywhere near that effect. After all, it's not a war on [some] drugs, it's a war on minorities, that's why those laws were written. To recoup the loss of slave labor by replacing it with prison labor. Read tinyurl.com/1mn "It wasn't hostility to the drug, it was hostility to the newly arrived Mexican community that used it.")

What are these people trying to prove? Thankfully when the Phillies won the World Series last year, there was only minor damage (compared, from what I was told, to I think it was Boston).

But these people are just making themselves look like degenerate morons; alcohol is no excuse. I drink sometimes too, but you won't see me taking part in flipping cars or lighting trash cans on fire; not out of fear of arrest but BECAUSE I'M CIVILIZED.

[Roy in NYC]

People still riot? That's so 1990s.

[EmThis]

"Cindy of Angels" said it well on June 15, 2009, at 7:55 a.m.:

"These losers should go to the place where acting like a jerk in the name of fandom is not only allowed but encouraged: Dodger Stadium."

Unfortunately, these lawless thugs ARE at the stadium -- like rats in a cesspool. (A cesspool because other mild-mannered "fans" and stadium "security" put up with them.) They reek their degeneracy throughout the ballpark: from the stands and management, and all the way up to the executive and ownership offices. Manny is their poster boy. Yeah, way to go, L.A.

[No bueno]

Based upon what I saw on television, virtually, everyone involved in this disgusting display was hispanic! Heck, they even managed to work their beloved mexican flag into the action. What a surprise!

And to think the majority of these thugs were either illegal themselves, or the by-product of illegal immigration. But I guess I should not be surprised, as these people have shown no respect for our immigration laws, why would we expect them to respect and obey local laws pertaining to vandalism, arson, destruction of personal and public property, unlawful assembly, and a host of other laws that I witnessed as being broken.

Meanwhile, the LAPD has become neutered , basically allowing these thugs to do as they please, essentially, because they are hispanic. I guess the LAPD is terrified to show any force whatsoever when the thugs and punks are of a certain race, hence the ACLU might start crying foul!

What a disgrace!

[pumalok]

dammm over a million people were on the streets to make the the law enforcement to work they want to cut work force down... well the best thing to do is but them to work... and more work on the 17....

[Kel]

What a huge waste!! These people are disgusting that is what happens when you are afraid to stop it all. Take a look at who you saw on TV need I say more. Stop giving them a place to watch games at ESPN zone and Staples..There is no reason for them to be out on the street period! Get some balls LAPD and take care of the situation.

[Avinger]

I hate to see the vandalism and theft but on the other hand, US sporting events have always been a bore for me. I, for one, enjoy seeing the riots and drunken cheers of fans.

This has nothing to do with LA. It happens on college campuses around the country from time to time. It's alcohol and an excuse to go nuts. That's it. It has nothing to do with gangs, Mexicans, or anything else. Stop being stupid.

And doing all this over a sports game is no crazier than going to war in the name of a country, or getting in a fight only out of allegiance to a friend. It might be stupid, but then so is doing anything only in the name of friendship, family, or country.

We have to learn to laugh at these things and stop being so judgemental. Unless it was your car or shop that got destroyed... If that's the case, feel free to be pissed for a while.

[twine]

First of all its sad that most of you who posted a comment, had to bring race up into, thought it was about the riot and the LA LAKERS. You saw what the news only showed on TV. I was there there was tons of white people out there. Threes always going to be ignorant people who post crap about other races. I found the bunch of you, who posted racist stuff are the ignorant ones. Who cares someone had there flag up there big deal. I'm sure half of you seen collage football, where the majority of the people out there rioting where white kids. Its a shame that you can't post what its really about.

[ouchbabe]

Nice to see the fine illegal citizens of LA continue too respect the law and the city that gives them sanctuary. The photos present a real story, and we wonder why this country is dying.
Guess this is more of the hopey changey crowd, or should I say future,cause Barry is going to grant these criminals amnesty reall soon.

[Debbie]

This shows their level of intelligence the mayhem the rioters cause.
When the Anaheim Angels won the World Series in 2002, there wasn't any rioting.

[JJ]

God help us if the Dodgers win the World Series...

[gmd]

I know it looks bad, but this stuff happens in almost every city after they win a title. This year’s celebration is tame by the standards of past celebrations. I remember when UCLA won the NCAA title, the crowds in Westwood went nuts, and that crowd was a lot paler than the crowd outside Staples.

Also, if you people think Latinos are so bad because they light a few fireworks and sit on some police cars, take a look at what happens in Boston, one of the whiter and racist cities in the country. Last year, when the Celtics won, someone died. When the Red Sox beat the Yankees in a playoff game (not even the World Series), a woman was killed. When the Patriots won it in 2004, someone was killed. All these people were white.

So Mexicans hold the Mexican flag, just the same way the Irish hold the Ireland flag.

I don't agree with the vandalism, and I also don't agree with the ignorance that go on in these blogs.

[witness]

I have to agree with Twine. People that are seeing just the news reports and weren't there physically have no idea what really went down. Yes at first there was fireworks, but that stopped right away. I walked and drove around. People were laughing, screaming and cheering. There was all kinds of race in the crowd. Yes, more of one kind, but what can you really expect, it's LA. 'People' got out of hand. They should be responsible for what they did. For a few hours LA was proud for what the Lakers aacomplished and we still are. That's no excuse for what 'people' did to the streets of LA.

Race, has nothing to do with it. We all celebrated for a moment! You have to really think, this happens every time the Lakers win. Cops did protect the people, not the streets, but their job was to protect the people! Streets can be repaired and cleaned up. Their concern were the people just having a great time.

[witness]

How can you even ask if the Lakers endorse these kind of acts. Thats the stupidest question.

Thugs that have nothing better to do ruin the city of LA. Some of us decent people still take pride from where they are from and respect it. They are not LAKER fans!!! And it's not a stupid basketball game.

[MrNiceGuy]

I say anytime a celebration like this takes place it's time to bust out the water cannons and the rubber bullets.

[Carlos Gee]

as a Hispanic Laker Fan living in Los Angeles this is embarassing and humiliating to our race. However, some of you are so ignorant and racist it makes me sick. Every culture and race has their good/Bad. Every race. The ones that are criticizing hispanics right now should look in the mirror and ask yourself "Am I making this better by criticizing a whole race and a handful of individuals?" Detroit, Boston, Philly, etc .... It happens everywhere! There was less than 1k people involved. There are millions that live in this great city of Los Angeles and if you don't like it here stay out! Go Lakers!!!

[iwasthere]

I was part of the East Los Angeles celebration and it was beyond peaceful, if someone fell, the person next to them picked them up. As far as the car shaking was concerned, we would ask teh people in the cars first, and then after they would give us high fives and we'd all cheer. Ofcourse, the media only airs the parts were the cars violently take off, they dont air the high fives and the cheering, they dont air the part where people hugged each other or lent each other a hand. I was there with my family and i never once felt like i was in harms way. A bulk of those in the crowd were high school and college students just having safe fun. If you want to talk bad mouth the crowd and hate, i suggest you break out of your shell and have fun. In East Los Angeles, that's exactly what we did, and we didnt harm anyone. The law enforcement was there letting us do our thing for a really long time; i thought they would break it down immediately, but guess what, they didnt. Why? Because no one was doing anything harmful. Would they really sit in their vehicles while someone got harmed? Once they did decide to break it up, guess what; PEOPLE LISTENED AND WENT HOME!!! end of story

[It's Obvious]

How long, in the name of political correctness, are people going to be berated and persecuted for shouting out the blatantly obvious, for uttering the truth? How often are we to be called racist because we witness and respond logically to real facts and stats, to known occurrences and undeniable tendencies paraded before us in all available media, in a real world, in a genuine existence, day in and day out? How long are we to close our eyes and grin stupidly at the ugly truth? I don't care how many depraved Caucasians were part of that nonsense--we admit our shame in response to the scumbag element in our race--but I can promise you that the number was lost in the throng of Hispanics running wildly and destructively in the streets in "celebration" of a Laker victory. Here legally or illegally, you want your race to be treated with respect and dignity then demand that they act respectful and dignified. Stand in opposition to perpetuation of that stereotype by your own race. Denial and deflecting blame is not going to help eliminate the nearly debilitating problem facing the inner city of Los Angeles. It's a problem, folks. Pretending it doesn't exist and suggesting it should be ignored in the name of racial nicety is as stupid as the behavior itself. Face up and aspire to civilized transition or fall to the wayside of history.

[Dr. Etan]

the best thing is to add a celebration area with a police car and a bus from the junkyard and area to burn a bush and trash can to light on fire. Let the people trash, burn and smash as much as they want. Than clean up.

[sunshine]

Wow nothing else better to do in life!......I blame the police for not being prepared enough!...They know back in 2000 it was the same thing!...Why not take action before it happen!...They know that sum people are not playing with a full deck of cards and dont know how to controll themself!.....It is what it is
people should'nt get offended when they know one race of people are causing problems everytime the Lakers win a championship!.....Stop doing dumb things and you wont have to hear people opinions when you choose to put yo race out their!.....That goes for all races!.....Peace and GO LAKERS!

[FLUSH L.A.]

This behavior should be of no surprise to anyone. L.A. is a toilet and its contents can not be flushed. The residence of that third world city are pieces of feces that continuously leave a skid mark on its streets as they go round and round, but never disappear. The police have no power because the people themselves don't want to change, and if fact promote that culture. Ever see the movice Escape From New York?

[Edgar]

Come on people are you really going to sterotype an entire race of people for the actions of a few. If so you are more ignorant and a bigger problem to todays society than the knucklheads that where shown on tv. How many thousands upon thousands of hispanics celebrated peacefully among fellow Laker fans. I oppose the actions of those who defiled L.A as certain individuals not an entire race and as for you cowards that sit at home and breed hate and anger you are the ones I will oppose and you will go down to the wayside of history.

[artieorosco]

Its to bad that a few peopl;e ,would make it bad for
everyone. I thank the LAPD FOR BEING THEIR FOR THE
GOOD PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN. My GRANDSON WILL BE
THEIR WITH MY SON FOR THE PREADE ON WED. PLEASE
LAPD THEIR NOT ALL BAD PEOPLE.

i SEND MY BLESSING.(LAPD USE GOOD JUDGEMENT)

[GRANNY17]

SIMPLE SOLUTION.....THROW THE LAKERS OUT OF L.A.
STUPID OVERGROWN MEN PLAYING A KIDS GAME AND GETTING OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR IT. SHEER FRIKKIN STUPIDITY! PEOPLE NEED TO GET THEIR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.

[chris]

can't we just win and be happy for our team?...

i love the lakers but theres no reason to get all pyro and crazy..

[Esfuerzo]

I'm an American of Mexican descent and i don't condone what these idiots did to our city, but come on now. If you're going to talk smack then get the facts straight. There is no excuse for the events that transpired, but Brown folks weren't the only ones out there trashing the place. There were alot of blacks and even whites, and not talking about just a couple of white kids. I feel the LAPD took too long to contain the situation and should've declared unlawful assembly at the first sign of trouble. You didn't see our people in ELA acting like fools. Props to ELA for proving them wrong.

[cjhawk1]

Ever notice that when the RedWings (or for that matter this year the Penguins)wins the Stanley Cup there are no riots? Just a nice parade in Hockeytown. I wonder why that is?

[In the trenches]

For every 100 Hispanics there probably was 5 or 6 blacks, and maybe 2 or 3 whites. Looking at the news all I seen was hispanics setting fires, vandalizing buses and police cars. I didn't see any black or white people on the news doing anything. So to all the Hispanics who felt like this was a chance to go crazy, all you doin is making yourself look like real idiots and thugs, then you wonder why they always coming up with some new law to keep people from doing things...this is why....A real laker fan wouldn't be out here destroying the city.

[leo]

The melee that happened at the Laker game is a testament to the behavior of thugs in a minority group (hispanics). Those are the ones you deport.

Disgusted

[irene2026]

Honestly they shouldn't even have the parade. Its like congratulating all those people that broke the law. Yes they won but there's no reason for the behavior that those so called fans displayed. Going thru with the parade is like saying that what they did was not wrong and thanking them for the damaged that they cost for other hard working individuals. Besides because of the extra police that was needed, the cost of the police vehicles, MTA bus and other damages done those people just wasted a good amount of our tax dollars.

[Stevo]

I am American with Mexican decent as well... live in Houston, Texas but my wife is from LA. Every time I go ... its a city I love / hate. But let me tell you... latinos / hispanics.. whatever you want to call us.... are way different out there then in Texas.... years ago when the Rockets won 2 years in a row... we did the same thing..hit the streets and celebrated. Guess what... no craziness like that. Just a good ole time. It's like latinos out there are morons... I know why I get treated differently when I go to LA... its obvvious after this display. So i dont visit unless I have to. I dont think it was all latinos cuasing that craziness. I will say.... you guys in LA get a bad wrap for a reason.... and sadly LA fans and people in general are looked down on because of all the craziness that happens up there. My wife keeps asking me to move and i keep saying HELLNO! But lets not just blame latinos its everyone ....lets keep it real on that. I'd be embarrassed to be a Los Angelino right now.