What next? LA Prepares for Influx of Mourning Jackson Fans

July 3, 2009 by Richie Berges

staplescenter LA authorities are doing their best to work out the best way to accommodate the anticipated thousands of fans who are planning to attend an organized public memorial for the deceased star at the Staples Center.

There are concerned that attendance could be well over five times the centre’s capacity, with 100,000 believed to be intending to go. Some have health and safety fears as the centre can only hold about 20,000 when full.

The event is going to happen at 10am on Tuesday and there have been criticisms that the event is happening just after the conclusion of the bank holiday weekend – a nightmare for police forces.

Randy Phillips was the organiser of Jackson’s 50-date tour and he owns the Staples Center, which is where a public memorial is going to be held after a private memorial for family and intimate friends. He said in a statement that tickets are to be free, even though there is uncertainty about how ticket distribution would work.

Some people have criticized organizers of the memorial for not thinking the idea through and for organizing it hastily.

There are rumors that further memorials across America are planned, but this has not been yet confirmed by the family. Jermaine Jackson was being interviewed by Larry King on his primetime CNN show Larry King Live earlier in the week, where he spoke more about the plans for celebrating the superstar’s life.

michael-jackson1 The plans for memorials to take place come before a series of legal fights is due to begin. The legal fights include who will be in control temporarily of Michael’s estate, including the Neverland Ranch. Also, it is understood that Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of Michael Jackson’s children, is considering fighting for custody against Katherine Jackson who was originally given custodial rights over the children in his will.