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The Battle Of The Beaches. A Look At Huntington Beach On Saturday
An aerial view shows the pier in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Saturday's news was all about the beaches. Closed, empty, crowded, contested ... the L.A. vs. O.C. battle continues to rage.
Crowds of people protest the decision to close beaches at Huntington Beach on Friday. (Sharon McNary/LAist)
On Friday, thousands of demonstrators crowded Huntington Beach to rally against state-ordered closures and the economic shutdown writ large. Other things they're reportedly upset about: their personal freedom being infringed upon; their constitutional rights being infringed upon; science in general; and "not being able to hang out with their friends," according to one.
By the next day, though, most people did what Gov. Gavin Newsom asked them to do -- they stayed off the beaches. L.A.'s white sand was also empty, with the exception of some joggers and walkers.
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This is what a ‘Safer At Home’ weekend looks like.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) May 2, 2020
We know the weather is nice, and we know the beach is synonymous with Los Angeles, but the Mayor’s ‘Safer At Home’ Order is still in effect. So let’s be an example to others, and keep doing our part to flatten the curve. pic.twitter.com/ClRb42XJkS
Although the anti-lockdown protests are getting a lot of attention, research shows that the vast majority of Angelenos (95%) support the city's stay-at-home policy, if it means slowing the spread of coronavirus.
Huntington Beach and Dana Point had tried to stop the governor's order, but a judge denied their request on Friday.
Saturday was the first day the closure was enforced in Huntington Beach. The police department put extra patrols on the beach, with help from marine safety, said spokeswoman Angeles Bennett.
Bennett described Saturday as quiet.
"We are encouraging people if they are at the beach to comply with the orders to leave," she said, "which we've found most people are very, very willing to do so and be cooperative."
Just as a reminder, here was Huntington Beach last Saturday, April 25:
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The scene on Saturday, April 25 in Huntington Beach. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
And here's what it looked like yesterday, Saturday, May 2, after Gov. Newsom ordered the Orange County beaches to close.
A surfer walks on the beach in Huntington Beach on Saturday, May 2. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
A surfer showers after leaving the ocean in Huntington Beach on Saturday, May 2.(Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Caution tape blocks off green space at Huntington Beach on Saturday, May 2. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
An aerial view show the parking lot at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach on Saturday, May 2. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
Josie Huang contributed to this report.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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