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DJ's Tweets Draw Large Unruly Crowd to Rave Movie Premiere in Hollywood, Small Riot Breaks Out
A disturbance broke out this evening in Hollywood when a large crowd tried to get access to a screening of a rave movie. Hollywood and Highland was shut down as the Los Angeles Police Department attempted to get a hold of the unruly crowd.
About 1,000 people showed up to see the premiere of a movie about the controversial "Electric Daisy Carnival", many likely at the urging of DJ Kaskade, who took to Twitter this afternoon to say he was headed to the venue, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, for a "block party," according to L.A. Now. "Let's see if social networking words today," he Tweeted an hour before announcing "Today@6pm in Hollywood @Mann's Chinese Theatre. ME+BIG SPEAKERS+MUSIC=BLOCK PARTY!!! RT"
People in the crowd reportedly threw rocks and stated fires. In response, the LAPD lobbed non-lethal bean bags at the rowdy would-be attendees.
Electric Daisy promoter, Insomniac, Inc., issued a statement expressing disappointment "that a small group of people would try to mar a private documentary screening."
As helicopters swirled above, and the roads were blocked off, DJ Kaskade turned to Twitter again to tell the crowd he was concerned for their safety, and pleaded for everyone to go home. Supperclub LA, which was due to host an after party, also asked people to not show up at the venue.
During the melee Metro closed the Hollywood and Highland Red Line station and re-routed buses around the riot scene, but the station was re-opened around 9:30 p.m. Hollywood Boulevard was re-opened just after 10 p.m. and arrests were reported, "2 busted felony vandalism. 3 cop cars damaged & dozens detained," says NBCLA. The LAPD will use surveillance video to identify rioters, says KNX1070.
10:50 p.m. Here is Insomniac's full statement:
Sponsored message
"Tonight’s premiere of the 'Electric Daisy Carnival Experience' film was designed to highlight one of the largest and most prestigious electronic music festivals in the world. Unfortunately, a small group chose to disrupt the film’s premiere due to their mistaken belief that a “block party” with a popular artist was going to occur. I want to make clear that while this film showcased an Insomniac event, Insomniac had nothing to do with the supposed “block party,” which was not a part of the premiere. The crowd issues that arose were a result of individuals responding to social media information, which mistakenly led them to believe they could see artists perform.
Despite the crowd's unruly behavior, while the movie premiere did take place, even I was unable to attend the premiere of a movie that I have worked tirelessly to produce.
Insomniac strongly believes in personal responsibility and hopes that anyone who didn’t comply with police orders is held accountable."
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