LA Times - "Crowd celebrates bin Laden's death outside White House"

[TomCADem]

It is past midnight in DC as this is taking place. Amazing.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-crowds-white-house-20110501,0,1591347.story?track=rss

President Obama’s announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden triggered a massive emotional release in Washington, where a spontaneous celebration erupted on Pennsylvania Avenue, along the White House fence.

A mostly young crowd ecstatically waved flags, cheered and sang the National Anthem, its numbers growing from dozens to hundreds and beyond as midnight passed. Crowds chanted “USA!” and one participant carried a sign reading, “Never Forget.” The rally spilled into Lafayette Park, across from the White House, as the night wore on.

People sprinted from around the downtown Washington area to join in the jubilation, which took on the air of a city celebrating a professional sports championship. Participants and commentators could not avoid the comparison to the scene 10 years ago, when the same streets were gripped in fear as the Sept. 11 attacks unfolded.

Cameras flashed incessantly as members of the crowd tried to capture the historic moment and the electricity of the crowd. Young men scaled trees just beyond the fence to get a better view.