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LA Braces for Jackson Masses

City, hard-up for cash, also concerned about costs

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2009 11:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – Now that Michael Jackson’s memorial has a time and place, cash-strapped Los Angeles must move on to the next problems: Where to put tens of thousands of mourners, and how to pay for it. “If you can imagine 100,000 people show up and you have 20,000 capacity, there is not sufficient room,” a city councilman tells the AP, adding that the cost of police overtime is also a concern.

Fans will be able to register for one of the 11,000 free tickets, CNN reports, and even more will watch the event remotely. “This will obviously be a huge media event, and with Web streams of the funeral, it may be impossible to say for sure how many people watched once all is said and done,” says one magazine exec.

The Staples Center is shown in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 2, 2009.
The Staples Center is shown in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A crowd gathers to dance and sing to the music of Michael Jackson in the wake of his death at the Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, Friday June 26, 2009.
A crowd gathers to dance and sing to the music of Michael Jackson in the wake of his death at the Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, Friday June 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Fans surround a makeshift memorial for Michael Jackson at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
Fans surround a makeshift memorial for Michael Jackson at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles Tuesday, June 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
In this Dec. 3, 1984 photo, Michael Jackson performs with his brothers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles as part of their Victory Tour concert.
In this Dec. 3, 1984 photo, Michael Jackson performs with his brothers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles as part of their Victory Tour concert.   (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
A No Right Turn sign stands outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 2, 2009. Los Angeles officials are holding closed-door talks about a possible event for Michael Jackson on Tuesday at a downtown arena, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday. The event would take...
A No Right Turn sign stands outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 2, 2009. Los Angeles officials are holding closed-door talks about a possible event for Michael Jackson on Tuesday...   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Kookey90
Jul 5, 2009 8:49 AM CDT
Not to worry, they'll probably find a way to make the Jackson estate pay for it; that's if they have any money.
Shannonals
Jul 4, 2009 8:41 AM CDT
Where is the state finding the cash to sponsor this and pay security?
Kookey90
Jul 4, 2009 6:43 AM CDT
I'll be passing up this gig and watch it from the comfort of my airconditioned livingroom while I'm drinking my beer and eating my muchies -enough said.
 

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