American Morning
LAPD chief: "You're better off staying home"
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/intv.bratton.art.jpg caption="Chief William Bratton says non-ticket holders won't get within several blocks of the area."]
Later this morning, members of Michael Jackson’s family and their closest friends will be saying their final good-byes at a private service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. Then they will be heading to the Staples Center for the public farewell. Thousands are expected to show up with or without a ticket. Crowd control is a concern for the LAPD.
Chief of the Los Angeles police department, William Bratton spoke with CNN’s Kiran Chetry Tuesday
Kiran Chetry: You've been chief here since 2002. You guys have had to prepare for many huge events. How does this rate today as you guys prepare for what could be hundreds of thousands coming out to try to get close to this memorial service?
Chief William Bratton: This is probably the largest event we've planned for since the 1984 Olympics in terms for a planned event. We have no idea how many people are going to show up here other than those who have the tickets inside the event inside of Staples. So we've ramped up pretty significantly and we'll ramp down significantly if we don't get the crowds anticipated.
Chetry: The interesting thing is this was put together meticulously given the short time frame. If you don't have one of these bracelets that we’re all talking about you can't get here. In this situation, you have to close off the areas around here to make sure but it’s up in the air as to whether or not people will decide to come out here anyway. What are the biggest concerns if indeed huge crowds do congregate outside of this area?
Chief Bratton: We have a number of exits off the freeway that run adjacent to the Staples Center that were closed down by the California highway patrol. We have closed a multi-block perimeter around this area that you cannot get in without credentials of some sort. We have no idea how many people might plan to come down here just to be in the area. They're better off staying at home. Then you'll be able to see the event itself. If you're down here, there’s not going to be much to see. You won't get within several blocks of the area.
Chetry: You are the police chief of the second largest city so I imagine not much surprises you in terms of what you've seen. Was the huge outpouring of adoration and people who want to come out here for Michael Jackson surprising?
Jackson remembered: 1958-2009
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/mj.performing.singing.art.jpg caption="(Getty Images/AFP/Thierry Salliou )Michael Jackson performs during his first date in Great Britain at Wembley Stadium on July 30, 1992."]
He was lauded and ridiculed. He broke down barriers and built them around himself. He soared to heights unimaginable with his music, and he made the ignominious front page of gutter tabloids worldwide.
For Michael Jackson, the spotlight was always present, and the rest of the world followed.
Even his passing has played out in the spotlight: Thousands are expected to swamp Los Angeles, California, to mourn him today at the Staples Center.
Jackson fans flock to L.A. for memorial
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/staples.long.line.art.jpg caption="(Getty Images) Fans wait to sign a large banner in memory of pop star Michael Jackson at Staples Center on July 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California."]
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) - They poured in to Los Angeles from places far-flung, an army of Michael Jackson fans hoping to collectively mourn their idol in a massive ceremony at the Staples Center downtown Tuesday.
Police put up concrete barriers around the center, allowing only fans with tickets to the star-studded event to enter - beginning at 6 a.m. (9 a.m. ET).
Parking lots in the area raised their prices, some as high as $30. Airports in Southern California saw a spike in bookings. And several movie theaters in the area announced special screenings of the event, which will also be carried live by some television networks and Web sites.
"I guess the crowd estimate is the $64,000 question that everybody is wondering about, and we are as well," Jim McDonnell, assistant police chief for Los Angeles, said Monday.
"I anticipate the crowd here will be well-behaved. It will be a crowd that gathers for the right reasons and keeps the reason they're there in mind."
Police would not say what kind of security measures they have put in place. The cash-strapped city has said it will foot the bill for law enforcement.
Until the last minute, the Jackson family remained tight-lipped about where the singer will be buried, but signs pointed to Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn cemetery.
Several carloads of people, Michael Jackson's sister La Toya among them, came and went from the heavily secured cemetery after sunset Monday. But it was not immediately clear whether they were there for a private viewing.
What’s on Tap – Tuesday July 7th, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- We are live outside the Staples Center this morning, where Michael Jackson will be remembered in what’s expected to be one of the biggest public memorials ever. He didn’t do anything low key while he was alive. His final farewell is no exception. The fans have already started to arrive in downtown L.A. Only 11,000 have a ticket. And despite the city's pleas for those without one to stay away, police estimate the crowd could reach close to one million – and it will bridge generations. Parents who played Stevie Wonder LP’s are bringing their kids, who download Usher MP3’s. Both stars are expected to be here today to say goodbye to the biggest recording artist in history.
- President Obama is beginning his second day in Russia with a visit to the man experts say is the country's real leader, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The president then took his message to the people, with a major speech in Moscow. Our top guy at the White House, Ed Henry sat down with the president in Moscow after his speech. It's access to a high-stakes summit you won't get anywhere else.
- The other big story. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin giving her first interview to CNN since announcing she's resigning, saying she's “not a quitter.” Our Drew Griffin caught up with her on a fishing trip. Wait ‘till you see the waders!
We Listen – Your comments 7/6/09
Editor's Note: American Morning’s Monday audience focused on the political machinations of Governor Palin’s resignation, with many wondering hopefully if the 2012 presidential elections would be her next stop. Most were in agreement with the Republicans who called her a “quitter,” and saw her as “irrelevant.”
Pro-Sarah
- Tom: Sarah Palin is under fire from her own party, those conservative morons can't stand a women in power with Ideas of their own..
- Stephen: The press and cable news are trying to finish the book on Governor Palin when she has just started to write it. She is using her popularity to effect change to honesty, freedom, and prosperity. If you are for these values you should be for Governor Palin. The majority of the Congress men and women are corrupt. They and the special interest have created a corrupt government system by gerrymandering and pay to play politics. Governor Palin is putting herself on the front line of a conservative movement without the comfort or guarantees of personal reward. If she can effect the election of conservative Congress and Senate men and women she will also be earning the support of those for her and the possibility of a presidential bid. I have stopped supporting the Republican Party but am supporting conservative honest individuals where I can find them. I will support Governor Palin.
- Russell: Sarah Palin has garnered what the many have not. Wisdom.
Con-Sarah
- Susan: Sarah Palin is a dominating women who is out for her own ambitions. The thing, is she don't know how to go about them, because she isn't that smart. hahahahaha. She is out for her own gain. I don't feel she is honest. She can't speak. You don't know a word she is saying. She just rambles. Watch out for someone like that. As a matter of fact most America is sick and tired of hearing about arrogant dumb people.
- Tom: I think that Gov. Palin is hurting her chances of becoming a serious presidential candidate. This is basically a child having a tantrum because she can not get what she wants from her legislature. I would not cast a vote for her.
- Jim: Sarah has quit both government jobs she has held. She quit her position at AOGCC, and she has now quit as governor. She thinks she is doing well, but she preaches to the choir for good results. She is a QUITTER, among other things. Being a quitter may not be her worst quality. No credibility is her worst aspect.
Where do you stand on Governor Palin’s resignation? Are those who are calling her a “quitter” correct or is Governor Palin truly the one with “wisdom” here? What do you this is Governor Palin’s next move or “higher calling,” as she calls it? Is she still an important political figure or is she “irrelevant”?
"We could end up like Canada"
The Senate's top republican, Mitch McConnell is sounding a warning about a Democratic plan for government-run health insurance. He says "the U.S. could wind up like Canada." So is that so bad? CNN's Dana Bash traveled to Ontario, Canada to find out.
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