Huntington Beach, CA, January 8, 1999.
Authorities today dispersed a large gathering of local high school students in front of the closed Bet Your Life store in Huntington Mall. The students carried signs demanding the re-opening of the store. Protesters maintained that the owner of the shop, Annabelle Thompson, owed them insurance payouts for transactions during the past year. Others held signs that said "We Want Our Chance." The store has been closed by court order since Annabelle Thompson was arrested on January 3. Ms. Thompson was questioned and released, and the order has since expired. Thompson's spokesperson, Joe Poole, was not available for comment. Headline News.