30 Injured at Long Beach Concert; L.A. Show Off
At least 30 people were injured and four others were arrested when sporadic fighting--apparently provoked by Latino and black street gangs--broke out during a “rap” music concert Sunday night at the Long Beach Arena, Long Beach police said today.
Fearing a recurrence of the violence, officials at the Hollywood Palladium today canceled a concert scheduled for tonight that was to feature some of the same entertainers. “In view of the incidents last night, we just felt it was prudent to take precautions against any further problems,” Palladium Manager Dick White said.
The show Sunday night ended about 10:45 when 60 helmeted police officers swept through the arena and forced spectators outside after authorities stopped the show. Police Cmdr. Al Van Otterloo said fighting continued outside the arena.
“I’d never seen anything like it,” said one concert-goer, Blaine Austin, 18, of Eagle Rock. “The gangs were just running all over the place causing havoc.”
Some witnesses said innocent bystanders were struck with metal chairs, wooden sticks and, in one instance, a fire extinguisher during the brawling that continually marred the three-hour concert. Others were critical of Long Beach police and the private security guards inside the arena, contending that they did little to quell the disturbances.
Van Otterloo defended the police response, pointing out that the police were called in only after concert promoters and private security officials said they could no longer handle the situation.
A spokeswoman for Run-DMC, the show’s lead act, which is currently on a nationwide tour, said the group was “very upset because the police didn’t protect fans” from the gangs. A statement issued by the group said Run-DMC will “refuse to play Los Angeles until police and the authorities take sterner measures to protect Run-DMC fans against local gangs. The gangs stand for everything that rap is against. . . . “
White said there were no problems when the group appeared at the Palladium last September.
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