Protest Outside Staples Center Brings Few Protesters, Many Cameras
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Demonstrators protesting Lakers' coach Phil Jackson's statements regarding Arizona's immigration law argue with an anti-immigration protester.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A well-publicized protest outside Staples Center this evening brought only a small demonstrator turnout. Approximately 30 people gathered on the edge of Nokia Plaza to protest Lakers' coach Phil Jackson's comments in which he declined to decry Arizona's recently-passed immigration law.
News media assembled for game one of the Lakers Western Conference Finals series against the Phoenix Suns gathered around the group, which briefly became animated when an anti-immigration protester carrying a religious sign started arguing with a colorfully dressed immigration reform advocate.
LAPD officers were on-hand to keep the situation from escalating, and the confrontation quieted down after a few minutes.
Fabricio Vai (@dataxy) on May 17, 2010, at 06:13PM – #1
As I always say. Protestor are aproaching the situation in the wrong way. The only march that matters and could have some results is the May 1st. march; all other non-official gatherings don't do anything other than gain a wrong opinion from people that don't know much of the situation. In other words.. if you are protesting something make sure you try to win people's attention and get them to agree and in doing so you are not risking doing the opposite.
Guest on May 17, 2010, at 06:18PM – #2
Thank you, Phil Jackson. You know what is right, unlike the city council.
Guest on May 17, 2010, at 08:23PM – #3
I just returned from Quebec, Canada last week. Quebec's motto is "Je me souviens" (I remember/I have memory). Had the Anglos been kinder to the French Canadians (or Quebecois) all these years things would be fine today but since French Canadians were subjected to intense racism and discrimination throughout the centuries today, their children today hope to completely separate from Canada and form their own country. I predicted that unless Anglos (and all others) back of Mexicans and stop blaming them for all of society's ill, real soon we'll have a similar situation to that of Quebec's. Mexicans will soon become the majority AGAIN in California and the rest of the southwest and the future generations of Mexican Americans will undoubtedly remember all these events when they're running the show. Look out!!
Guest on May 17, 2010, at 09:12PM – #4
For the sake of accuracy was it an anti-immigration poster or an anti-illegal immigration poster?
Had the Anglos been kinder to the French Canadians (or Quebecois) all these years things would be fine today but since French Canadians were subjected to intense racism and discrimination throughout the centuries today
The French and English are considered to be of the same racial group by most people.
Tornadoes28 on May 17, 2010, at 09:18PM – #5
Hooray Arizona and Phil Jackson.
Guest on May 18, 2010, at 08:22AM – #6
Way to go Phil!
Guest on May 18, 2010, at 09:39AM – #7
I agree with Phil, go lakers, Go Phil
Guest on May 18, 2010, at 07:27PM – #8
"The French and English are considered to be of the same racial group by most people."
OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO CANADA. IN CANADA, PARTICULARLY QUEBEC, ANGLOS (OR ANGLOPHONES) AND FRENCH CANADIANS (QUEBECOIS) VIEW EACH OTHER AS MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE ETHNICITIES DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO ONE ANOTHER. THE BIGGEST INSULT FOR ANGLOS IN CANADA IS TO BE THOUGHT OF AS FRENCH AND VICE VERSA!