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.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
County Supervisor Calls for Moratorium on Raves at L.A. Coliseum [Updated]
At the Electric Daisy Festival on Saturday | Photo by Nadia Kovacs/LAist
()
At the Electric Daisy Festival on Saturday | Photo by Nadia Kovacs/LAist
Following the death of a teenage girl who attended this weekend's Electric Daisy Carnival at the L.A. Coliseum, a Los Angeles County Supervisor is calling for a moratorium on raves at the location. 15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez was one of the over 100 people transported to local hospitals during the event, which drew around 185,000 people. She died Tuesday afternoon.
Yesterday, prior to Sasha's death, medical professionals spoke out with concerns about a rave and concert event like Electric Daisy Carnival being held at a venue like the Coliseum, which is on public land and operated by city, county, and state commission.
“The general public deserves to be assured that when the Coliseum’s tenants stage an event, the health and safety of the promoter’s patrons are protected," Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said in a letter to Coliseum Commission President Barry Sanders. "Clearly, there was a breakdown at the Electric Daisy Carnival which put the public at risk.”
Support for LAist comes from
Sanders is expected to schedule a special meeting of commission to discuss issues surrounding the festival. Yaroslavky hopes the moratorium is considered.
[Update: Sanders has placed a temporary ban on entering into agreements with raves until the commission meets and decides whether or not to place a moratorium on them, according to the LA Times. It is unclear if this or a moratorium would affect the Love Festival, scheduled for August 21st next door at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.]
But some think forcing the Electric Daisy Carnival or other small raves out of the coliseum could make things worse. "Kick them out and they'll wind up doing the same drugs at underground raves in more dangerous places without any medical assistance on hand," noted one commenter on LAist's Facebook page. Another commenter noted that drugs happen at most all music events.
A commission meeting hasn't been set yet, but some are saying it could happen on July 11th.
Lindsay William-Ross contributed to this article
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.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
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?
Best of LAist