Everything
By now you would have heard of the Los Angeles Lakers win against Miami Heat, 106-93. It was far different to finals games in the past, amid the health crisis the grandstand was bare and instead fans video streamed in on large screens. For the remainder of people, they could be found outside the Staples Centre, many mask-less. What started as a peaceful celebration of a local victory, as night fell, became violent.
USA Today has reported that police arrested 67 people outside the arena and the surrounding areas last night. 61 were arrested for failing to disperse, five other arrests were made for looting and one other was arrested for vandalism. “It would have been nice if there were zero (arrests) and then we could have just celebrated peacefully,” he added. “Unfortunately, when it gets to this point, it’s usually because things are getting a little out of control.”
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Staples Center @USATODAY @usatodaysports pic.twitter.com/4oO115ycNK
— Harrison (@Harrisonhill__) October 12, 2020
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It was a momentous occasion for the city. The Lakers took home their first NBA title in a decade and it was also an emotional occasion following the death of former Lakers player, Kobe Bryant in January. But the illegal happenings that took place on the streets of LA – illegal fireworks, smoke bombs and reckless driving – was unnecessary. If anything, it showed further divide of residents and citizens with law enforcement as hundreds of police could reportedly been seen breaking up large crowds. But is this a case of harmless fun and overreactions? We’ll let you be the judge.
It is also important to note that the official Laker victory parade has been postponed due to COVID-19, with organisers waiting until it is safe to do so.
