Saturday's news was all about the beaches. Closed, empty, crowded, contested ... the L.A. vs. O.C. battle continues to rage.
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.
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:
And here's what it looked like yesterday, Saturday, May 2, after Gov. Newsom ordered the Orange County beaches to close.
Josie Huang contributed to this report.
