Michael Jackson memorial: Live coverage, Celebrities walk black carpet to Staples Center. Celebrities are strolling down a black carpet into Staples Center for the Michael Jackson memorial service.Movie director Spike Lee stopped to pose beside a Michael Jackson poster. Actor Wesley Snipes, who appeared in Lee's "Jungle Fever," Omarosa of "The Apprentice" and "Everybody Hates Chris" star Terry Crews were among the early arrivals.
Michael Jackson's family completes private memorial, en route to Staples Center. A caravan of Michael Jackson's family and close friends was moving from Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills, where they held a private memorial, to Staples Center this morning for a public memorial service. The group spent about an hour at Forest Lawn. Authorities were expected to temporarily close portions of the 134, 5 and 110 freeways as well as some surface streets to clear a path so the motorcade could get to Staples. The CHP closed portions of the 405 and 101 freeways as the family traveled from the family compound in Encino to Forest Lawn earlier this morning.
Michael Jackson crowds manageable: 'So far so good,' Bratton says. Michael Jackson's body will be transported from Forest Lawn cemetery to Staples Center by car, law enforcement have told The Times. The scene at Staples Center is calmer than expect so far. Police estimate about 50,000 people are there -- far fewer than expected.
Michael Jackson fan holds out hope for ticket to memorial. Police cordoned off the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Pico Boulevard around 8:30 a.m., separating hundreds of incoming ticket holders stepping off the Metro line from dozens who simply came to watch from the sidelines.
Hollywood theater won't show Jackson service at LAPD's request. Michael Jackson's memorial service will be shown live in 37 cinemas across the country, but not in Los Angeles.The service was scheduled to be shown at the Mann Chinese 6 theater in Hollywood, steps away from Jackson's star on the Walk of Fame, but was canceled this morning at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Michael Jackson T-shirt vendors moved from Staples Center. T-shirt vendor Lizan Mendez was raking in about $100 every 20 minutes in a parking lot at the corner of Flower Street and Pico Boulevard about 7:30 a.m. when police moved in with bullhorns. “This is a public warning,” an officer announced. “You have 15 minutes to shut it down.”
