Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Will Establish A 'Protest Zone' At Dodger Stadium To Avoid Future Incidents
Anti–vax protestors approach the entrance to the vaccination site at Dodger Stadium on Saturday Jan. 30 (Photo Courtesy Mikel Jollett via Twitter)
()
In case you missed it, approximtely 30-50 anti-vaccine, COVID-denying protesters forced the L.A. Fire Department to close the gate to the Dodger Stadium vaccination site for about an hour on Saturday, after they blocked the entrance as they held signs with messages such as "COVID=scam."
Today, city officials said they will establish a "protest zone" at the stadium, to avoid a repeat of Saturday's fiasco — in case of future protests.
Individuals who were already inside the stadium parking lot gates when the protest began were able to get their shots, but those outside were forced to wait until the demonstrators were moved to the sidewalk.
Most of the protesters were not wearing masks, and a lot of the folks at the stadium waiting to get their vaccine were senior citizens, who are at a high risk for contracting the coronavirus.
Support for LAist comes from
Firefighter David Ortiz explained the department's decision to close the gate:
"The Fire Department did not want to have people walking around the Dodger site for various reasons, including the personal safety of the protesters and also the safety of our workers, some of whom have not been vaccinated [which includes a lot of our volunteers]."
But he also said the incident shouldn't be blown out of proportion.
"This group that was out there protesting was a minor delay for us" Ortiz added. "And the impact was minimal."
LAPD Tweeted that they did not close the gates (LAFD did) and that the "protestors remained peaceful." Curbed LA Editor Alyssa Walker and others responded, arguing that stopping "a life-threatening medical procedure from being administered is *not* peaceful."
They were interfering with city emergency operations. They weren't wearing masks, which violates local health orders. They weren't in cars, which you are required to use at this site.
— Alissa Walker (@awalkerinLA) January 31, 2021
Trying to stop a life-threatening medical procedure from being administered is *not* peaceful.
Here is the full statement from a spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Garcetti's office:
Support for LAist comes from
"Out of an abundance of caution, the LAFD temporarily closed the entrance to the Dodger Stadium vaccination site for 55 minutes on Saturday, while vaccinations continued being administered within the gates. LAPD responded, the entrance was reopened, and no appointments were cancelled. The City is reviewing vaccine site safety protocol and will be setting up a protest zone in the event of any future protests."
READ MORE ABOUT GETTING THE VACCINE IN LA:
How To Get The Second Dose Of Vaccine -- And Everything You Need To Know About It
Your COVID-19 Vaccine Guide: Answering Questions About Safety, Eligibility, Access, And Much More
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist