LAPD chief calls on Sterling protesters to remain peaceful

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck urged that people planning to protest outside of the Clippers’ playoff game Tuesday night keep things peaceful and orderly.

Officers patrolling outside Staples Center will accommodate “people who want to do lawful protests,” Beck said to reporters.

“The bad behavior by Donald Sterling does not justify bad behavior on the part of the community,” Beck said. “Let’s respect a great team, not a great owner. ... Remember that it’s the guys on the court, not the guy in the owner’s box” that matter.

Beck’s comments came as organizers finalized plans for a rally against Sterling that is scheduled to take place outside Staples Center before the 7:30 p.m. game versus the Golden State Warriors.

Sterling has come under withering national criticism after an audio recording came to light Friday on which a voice identified by NBA officials as Sterling made numerous controversial remarks.

“Donald Sterling’s comments do not represent Los Angeles and the millions of collective voices of minorities who call Los Angeles home,” said Jasmyne Cannick, one of the rally organizers.

The celebrity website TMZ posted an audio recording Friday that purportedly captures Sterling telling a woman identified as V. Stiviano that “it bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people.” In the recording, the people identified as Stiviano and Sterling also argue about a photo posted on Instagram showing Stiviano with Magic Johnson.

Shortly after Beck’s comments, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the league has imposed a lifetime ban on Sterling, barring him from any role in running the team. Such harsh sanctions could defuse some of the public anger that has been building in recent days.

Beck said he had “no specific information” that protesters were planning to get out of hand. He declined to discuss details of the LAPD’s plans for policing the event, but said there would be “adequate resources” in place.

“I know a lot of people are very upset, and rightfully so,” he said.

Twitter: @joelrubin

joel.rubin@latimes.com