Michael Jackson: Student leaders flock to hospital
Several hundred people gathered on the sidewalk outside the emergency room at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon after Michael Jackson's death.
“Was that Janet Jackson going by?” asked Madison Rightley, a 15-year-old junior from Albuquerque, who was in town for the National Youth Leadership Forum at UCLA. “She was in a black car covering her face.”
Rightley said she was a longtime fan of Jackson’s music, dancing with her drill team to his songs at St. Pius X High School.
“It’s important to pay your respects to his family,” she said, explaining why she was standing outside the emergency room, “especially if you liked his music.”
Another student at the forum, Dalton Valerio, a 17-year-old senior from Cibola High School in Albuquerque, said they learned Jackson had a cardiac arrest from an emergency technician teaching at the youth forum.
”He had just heard from his colleagues,” Dalton said. “He was so talented. We’re a little younger. But we love his music. It’s on my iPod.”
Madison added: “It’s legendary. I’m pretty sure everyone has him on their iPods.”
Yara Larijoni, 27, an attorney, sat on a curb outside the emergency room next to her mother, Sadra, 55. They had come to the hospital “the second they said he was dead,” Yara said.
“I guess we just wanted to be part of it,” she said.
Her mother said she was hoping the report was not true. They both said they were big fans of Jackson’s music.
“I grew up in Europe,” Yara said. “He was all over the place.”
“He was really genius,” Sadra said.
“We were going to go to the concert in London,” Yara said. “But they postponed it.”
-- Carla Hall in Westwood
Photo by Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
???...MICHAEL WHO..??????
Posted by: Hasseem Rafsanjani | June 25, 2009 at 06:10 PM
"leaders" of students? what, just because they charged over there earlier than everyone else?
Posted by: Julia | June 25, 2009 at 06:12 PM
mickle jackson was a great singer he was superstar and precious personality of the world...............................luv u mickle
may GOD bless him and bles him
Posted by: azeem | June 25, 2009 at 06:26 PM
dear peoples,
i really loved mj meaning MR.MICHAL JACKSON but i i really wwas sad when i heard he died........................ on june 25,2009 i wish he would still be right here singin to me that song that i really really really really loved YOU ARE NOT ALONE i would be really happy but i really want to how....how he rally died?
^.^ i will always love you man!!!!!
love,
Michael Jackson biggest fan forever and ever
P.S. your in my heart forever gone never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
god
bless
you
Mr.MJ
xxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Christine M. Soriano | June 25, 2009 at 07:14 PM
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON FOREVER AND EVER OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Christine M. Soriano | June 25, 2009 at 07:16 PM
In Gedenken an Michael Jackson * 29. August 1958 † 25. Juni 2009
michael wir werden dich auch in deutschland vermissen
Posted by: Mirko Barget | June 25, 2009 at 07:18 PM
well michael i just want to tell you that you have been are role model to all of us we will miss you and rest in peace
Posted by: tina | June 25, 2009 at 07:23 PM
he was te king of pop
he was tha best
we all miss you michael
bless you michael jackson
Posted by: birmania | June 25, 2009 at 07:24 PM
I miss you MJ. RIP Thanks for your divine inspiration to the world.
Camille
Posted by: Camille J. | June 26, 2009 at 11:53 AM