Christmas Flash Mob Forces Evacuation of California Mall
- Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:08am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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The “Hallelujah Chorus” is moving…literally. From The Sacramento Bee:
Two months after the Westfield Galleria in Roseville closed from a devastating fire, shoppers were again forced to evacuate Monday. This time, choral singers are to blame.
The Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra and several area congregations had prearranged a “flash mob” singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” in the mall’s food court.
But with thousands of people crowding the second-floor food court, the “random act of musical kindness” never got off the ground.
“It was so jammed with people that you could not even move,” said Connie Santos, who hoped to enjoy the music, then shop.
There were no reports of injuries as the mall was peacefully evacuated starting about 6:45 p.m. The mall was scheduled to close at 11 p.m.
“Somebody reported hearing two pops that sounded like the floor was giving way and another said the floor was shifting,” said Tom Dodaro, a Roseville Fire Department spokesman.
City engineers were on site inspecting the floors to test their structural integrity, fire officials said.
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Comments (51)
Bronco II
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:54amThey sang here in Fl at the OIA and it was great.We need more of this.MERRY CHRISTMAS GOD IS WITH US.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:57pmThese flash mobs have been successful all over the WORLD. Some sing, some dance. They bring smiles to surprised people wherever they go. It’s a shame this got out of control… too many carolers showed up. Glad no one got hurt.
Report Post »MicheleZ
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 6:54pmThese “Random Acts of Culture” have been done all across this country and have never been considered “reckless”…I mean unless you are talking about CRAZY California…Where many are now calling for some “control” of these “reckless groups.” Problem is, this was organized by the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra. (not exactly a “reckless” group) The libs would have LOVED it if this were “organized” by a church they could demonize.
Here is an article I wrote last night for the Sacramento Press about my experience at the Roseville Galleria…
Report Post »Hey Friends, That’s not a “flash mob” it’s my grandma! Here’s the link….
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/42467/Hey_Friends_thats_not_a_flash_mob_thats_my_grandma
ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 6:45pmIts simple as I see it. Be respectful of others rights. Everything has a place and a time. Maybe overwhelming the mall with singers is not such a good thing. Just goes to show you that even good people can make a silly mistake. An outside choral singing might have been the way to go inside of getting in everyones face with it. Atleast outside you can walk on by. But even outside they got shuttled away. This could have gone tragic had the floor collapsed and people got killed.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 7:40pmI agree with you. Had they thought this out, they could have planned a flash mob Christmas carol sing along on April 27th. The mall is usually empty. No money left after tax day, April 15th.
Report Post »Karron
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 4:49pmOK which is it, according to reports no one has money to spend this Christmas season, but the malls are jammed packed with people to the point of evacuation? So are all those people just window shopping?
Report Post »Organized chaos – another oxymoron – in flash mobs. Although, I have to admit that it is funny to watch the videos on youtube and see all the shocked faces. The flash mobs I hate are the ones who have no redeeming value other than causing chaos and confusion. They used to be called rioters.
bookofwisdom
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 12:34pmSubstandard building? Unless they tear out the floors and walls there is no way they can tell. May God Bless.
Report Post »hialtitude
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:18amWhile I’m sorry this mall had a problem with the project (apparently based on their earlier scare), however I can‘t get too upset at the Flash Mob Hallelujah’s in general. Good on ‘em! Life isn’t exactly filled with hope in the good old US these days – Emperor Hopey-Changey notwithstanding. The joyous singing of an anthem filled with the message of true hope is one bright light in tough times. I’m glad to hear that at least some malls are doing well because the two shopping malls in our city are pretty empty. To do a successful Flash Mob here the singers would do better to go to Costco or Walmart.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:52amI wonder if the mall or the stores will sue the choral group for closing the place down?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:48amjust a simple case of over-eager participation. let this be a lesson. normal everyday AMERICANS are starving for Christmas, Christianity, and to be able to share Good Cheer.
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:31amMan, the shopping centers are so packed with people this time of year, how can you tell if there is a flash mob going on?
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:12amIt CAN be awesome, though…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=player_embedded
Report Post »mtgolflady
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:00amJust saw in church on Sunday the video of a group doing this at a mall in Canada. It was amazing! Too bad the crowd was so large they couldn’t replicate something similar at the mall in California.
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:55am“organized spontaneous”
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:06amGot a laugh out of that one myself.
Report Post »CaptGregg
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:44amWreck the malls with mobs of carolers
Report Post »Fa la la la la
La la la la
TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:43amMay God bless the people of California. To !@#$ with their government!
Report Post »finalfrontier100
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:06pmThank you! We can use your prayers. We’re here fighting the good fight in the midst of the crazies. Too bad they didn’t move their “flash mob” to the parking lot of the mall.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 6:55pmThanks Texas. Not all of us are lost! But with hope maybe some more can be found.
Report Post »klevalt
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:35amI think the spontenaity of the project speaks VOLUMES for where Americans are in their CHRISTMAS spirit… this was not holida spirit, seasons-greetings spirit, but HUNDREDS of people expressing their CHRISTMAS spirit! Praise the Lord!
Report Post »lainpa
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:16amI’m with you. The video from another flash mob Hallejuh chorus has over 24 million hits. People are starving for this message! I think this is Glorious! All praise him! It’s unfortunate, they had to cancel it “for safety reasons?!”
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 6:53pmI hope you’ll be OK with a Muslim flash mob at the mall to sing praises to Allah! Lets leave demonstrations outside of malls where people go to shop and not hassled by anyone to include my brothers in Christ. Thats all I am saying. Theres a Bigger Picture Here!
Report Post »Knight Templar
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:21am@ChiefGeorge
No one was hassled. And, no I would not be comfortable with a Muslim mob sing praises to one who I believe is anti GOD.
Report Post »Beachplum
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:24amIt’s better to be safe than sorry!
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:47amActually, I agree with you. Since there had been a serious fire on the premise earlier in the year, concerns about structural damages were justified. There have been a couple of instances where catwalks and other suspended structures have collapsed, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Report Post »Proud American in Buffalo
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:26pmI wonder if there had been a proper structrual inspection done to the Building after the fire?? If not why was the mall reopened?? When will we find out if an inspection was actually done? Most likely never.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:24amYes, they did it for safety. But there was no structural damage found…and they are re-opening tomorrow..
Anyone notice how many people were there just for a flash mob? Why do you announce a flash mob?
Report Post »Nigel2
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:33amThat is what a flash mob is. A group that is pre-arrainged via emails, twitter, or other social networking media to show up. What did you think caused it? they all subliminally had a psychic message from above to show up?
Report Post »Ditto Head
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:26am@NIGEL2
Report Post »In other words, a flashmob is an unproductive portion of society that is so pathetic that they sit around watching twatster and waiting for their orders.
TrueGrit
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:04am@D-Head
Isn’t that what Unions do when they plan a rally… uhh…riot?
Wolverine
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:23amWhat, you mean singing a Christian song in the mall actually draws people, instead of sending them fleeing in disgust and terror? Who knew?
Report Post »KITA
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 4:32pmYeah – Go Figure. Too bad they packed it so tight they thought the floor would fall through. It may have been nice. I’d love to see a flash mob at the mall singing carols.
Report Post »Nigel2
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:20amAll it would have taken is them hitting that high-note and tragedy would have ensued.
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:17amTOO funny, Lets do it to all the malls!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:13amCattle cars.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:13amWell the best laid plans……………….
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:12amWho cares what happens to the folks in California.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:22amHow pathetic are you? Not everyone in CA are progressive nut cases and the loss of life and injuries could have been devastating. Please put Christ back in Christmas and think about what you are posting, unless that is seriously your sad mindset, and then just go away.
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:34am@Cobra
Pi$$ off. I grew up in California and still have family there. Believe it or not the majority of the state outside of SF and LA is pretty conservative.
Report Post »what4
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:45amHere’s the backs story on this, A 20 year old kid attempted to burn this place down just over a month ago. He has mental problems, but because the state give all its money to ILLEGALS he was turnd down for mental health! Now had he been in the country Illegaly I am 100% positive he would hav got the care he needed. I live just over a mile from this mall and it is a huge employeer in the community.
Report Post »hologram5
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:50am@grandma:
Report Post »No, only MOST of them. They made their bed now they can lie in it.
HisStoryUn
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:11amThere are many good and decent people living in California who live right and do-the-right-thing at the poles too. Only a ignorant moron like Cobra Blue believes otherwise.
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:22am@Grandma
What % are:
1. Progressive nut cases?
2. Illegals?
3. Druggies?
4. Others with toasted minds?
5. Public union thieves?
6. Multigeneration welfare cases?
7. Bagwan followers?
8. Reds?
9. Nazis?
10. Serial killers?
11. Gang members?
12. Kidnap/rape/slavers?
13. Miscellaneous miscreants?
14. The rest?
DagneyT
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:11amScary stuff!
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:40amI hate the “flash mob” stunts.
just a bunch of narcissists who think they are soooo clever and important that they can “make a difference” by disrupting normal everyday activities.
i used to despise hippies, now i loathe hipsters
biggreenboo
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:48amYou suck…. scrooge!!!!
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:20amFor soem reason whey they said “Flash Mob” I tought everyone would be wearing rain coats.
Report Post »I must be getting old.
Bounder
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:39pm@DIMMUBORGIR
Are you looking to be fed, Mr. Troll? Not from me.
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:57pmI enjoyed the stuff done by Improv Everywhere. Classic stuff. Best buy and the Home depot stunts were awesome.
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