One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
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.
Hundreds of Fans Head to UCLA to Remember Michael Jackson
"It doesn't feel like we're waiting for a press conference, it feels like we're waiting for a rock concert," an on scene KCAL9 reporter described as crowds gathered outside UCLA Medical Center.
As news spread that Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital and later developed into a coma, then ultimately his shocking death, hundreds of fans of the historic popstar poured onto the streets near the hospital in Westwood Village. Traffic on the 405 freeway is jammed as well as local streets around the medical center where police are blocking them off. Crowds have also gathered around his Holmby Hills rental estate.
In Hollywood, fans have gathered around the star of the other Michael Jackson, a radio personality, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1541 Vine. St. Nearby at 1500 Vine St. is The Jacksons' star where people are encouraged to remember him because the pop star's individual one at 6927 Hollywood Blvd., in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater, is unaccessible because of the Bruno movie premiere. Flowers will be placed there at 9 a.m. by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
