The City of Los Angeles is requesting donations to help pay for Michael Jackson's gigantic memorial service, which was held at the Staples Center this morning. The event drew interest worldwide, with close to 1.6 million people applying for entry via an online application, though only 17,500 lucky fans were granted tickets (11,000 at Staples; 6,500 at the Nokia Theater). Still, the city spent an estimated $3.8 million dollars on extra police protection and other measures.
Mayor Villaraigosa's Web page for Michael Jackson Memorial-related donations reads, "Help the City of Angels provide the extraordinary public safety resources required to give Michael the safe orderly, and respectful memorial he deserves ... If you're a Michael fan, consider giving a small donation to help us celebrate his extraordinary life and music."
Indicating that several people were asking him "why we are 'wasting time'" with encouraging donations, Press Secretary to Mayor Villaraigosa Matt Szabo twittered that the city's budget crisis was "precisely why" L.A. was doing so.
The city pulled a similar stunt earlier this year for the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA championship victory parade, which cost the city an estimated $2 million. Though the city did not approach the public for sponsorship of the Lakers' event, the bill was eventually paid for in part by private donors. The city is accepting online payments via credit card or by mail with a check payable to the City of Los Angeles. All donations are tax deductible.
