LA Police Teargases Crowds Celebrating Lakers’ NBA Championship

By Staff, Agencies

Los Angeles police fired tear gas as clashes broke out with crowds celebrating LA Lakers’ victory in the 2020 NBA Finals during a joyful Sunday night.

Videos from the scene showed tear gas grenades exploding in the middle of an unruly crowd.

Los Angeles Lakers fans packed the streets around the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night to celebrate the Lakers’ 17th NBA title.

People convened for the celebration despite Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s pleas not to gather outside during the coronavirus pandemic.

At one point fans engaged in confrontations with riot police, who responded with projectiles amid the mostly joyful spirit.

The Lakers claimed their 17th NBA title after defeating the Miami Heat 106-93 on Sunday night.

The US police violence set off nationwide protests earlier this year after the killing of African-American George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May.

Tensions also escalated as far-right extremist white supremacists and Trump supporters faced off against Black Lives Matter demonstrators ahead of the presidential election.