Surfers, photographers fight for beach

MALIBU, Calif., June 28 (UPI) -- Paparazzi stalking celebrities and surfers trying to get the photographers off the beach went another round in a war of words Saturday in Malibu, Calif.

Los Angeles County deputies patrolled the beaches to try to prevent things from turning violent, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Hostilities escalated last weekend when a group of young surfers ordered photographers to leave the Little Dume beach, where the paparazzi were getting pictures of actor Matthew McConaughey on a surfboard. The action continued Sunday as McConaughey again went surfing.

The deputies were warned of trouble through Internet postings. Photographer Jennifer Buhl came with a homemade sign that read: "America's beaches should be free and accessible."

Teenagers shouted at her as she set the sign up.

"We don't hang out in your backyard," one surfer shouted. "Get out of here."

Authorities reported that six people have been injured in the scuffles, five of them photographers.