Fans arrive from near and far to bid Michael Jackson farewell in Los Angeles

Fans gather outside Jackson memorial site

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson fans have come from near and far to say goodbye to their pop music hero, some traveling from across the U.S. and Europe for his public memorial in Los Angeles.

Fans arriving at or around the downtown Staples Center before Tuesday morning’s public memorial at Staples Center say they’ve come from northern California, Colorado, Arkansas, Delaware and England.

Police have established a wide perimeter around Staples Center and only those with tickets distributed through an Internet lottery are being allowed in.