Lakers Fans Take To The Streets Of Downtown LA To Celebrate

LOS ANGELES, CA — Several thousand happy Los Angeles Lakers fans streamed into downtown Los Angeles outside Staples Center Sunday evening to celebrate the team's 17th NBA championship, according to Los Angeles police and media reports from the scene.

The scene outside Staples Center, which was being monitored by the LAPD, was initially raucous but peaceful for the first half hour or so. However, some in the crowd began attacking the police cruisers and throwing projectiles. The impromptu celebration occurred against the advice of county health officials, who warned that it remains dangerous to gather in crowds amid the pandemic.

The LAPD, dressed in riot gear, could declare the celebration an unlawful assembly, according to media reports from the scene.

Before the scene began to turn ugly, people were seen dancing on Chick Hearn Court and Figueroa Street and setting off firecrackers. Cars were also seen doing donuts on the streets.

As of 8:30 p.m., it appeared the scene had grown more peaceful, according to media reports from the scene.

There were no reports of arrests, LAPD Office Norma Vargas told City News Service.

At the request of the LAPD, the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert and blocked the northbound Pico Boulevard and Ninth Street off-ramps from the Harbor (110) Freeway, as well as the Pico Boulevard off-ramp from the eastbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway.

City News Service