Los Angeles riots of 1992 were a series of destructive outbreaks that began on April 29, 1992. They were sparked by a California jury’s decision in a controversial police brutality trial. The trial involved the 1991 beating of Rodney King, an African American motorist, by four white police officers. Although the beating had been captured on video, the jury found the officers not guilty of criminal charges. The verdict sparked widespread outrage and claims of racial injustice.
After the announcement of the verdict, diverse crowds throughout the city assembled to protest. Protests in South-Central Los Angeles (now called South Los Angeles) quickly turned violent. A number of rioters looted stores, assaulted bystanders, and set fires. The riots lasted until May 2, 1992. The violence killed more than 50 people, injured thousands, and caused widespread damage.
Background.
In March 1991, a witness recorded video footage of four Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers beating Rodney King following a traffic stop. The story became national news, and it highlighted racial divisions that persisted in the United States.
Many African Americans at that time held the view that the criminal justice system was biased against people of color. Since the 1960’s, a number of urban riots had occurred in neighborhoods where people were frustrated by high crime and unemployment. In many cases, riots were triggered by actions that people considered police brutality. See African Americans (Unrest in the cities) ; Riot (Expressive riots) .
The officers involved in the Rodney King beating faced several criminal charges, including assault. The trial was held in Simi Valley, a mainly white suburb of Los Angeles. On April 29, 1992, the jury acquitted (found not guilty) the officers of all but one charge. The remaining charge was later dropped. No African Americans had served on the jury.
The riots.
News media reported on the acquittals at about 3:15 p.m. on April 29. Protesters soon gathered at the intersection of Florence and Normandie avenues in South-Central Los Angeles. Within hours, the crowd grew larger and more boisterous. Some groups of black youths began assaulting passersby. Police arrived at the intersection but quickly retreated.
At 6:45 p.m., news footage recorded from a helicopter showed rioters pulling Reginald Denny, a white truck driver, from his vehicle. The rioters beat him severely until four people emerged from the crowd to rescue him. At 8:45 p.m., Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared a state of emergency. California Governor Pete Wilson called up National Guard soldiers. State police and neighboring fire departments offered their assistance.
Early on April 30, Bradley imposed a curfew for the area. He also imposed restrictions on the sale of ammunition and gasoline. Many schools and businesses closed. Still, looting, violence, and arson continued. Many of the targeted shops were owned by Korean Americans. Some shop owners carried guns to defend their stores. By May 1, 4,000 National Guard members and hundreds of federal officers had arrived in the city. Rodney King, on television, expressed dismay at the riots. He pleaded, “Can we all get along?”
On May 2, thousands of soldiers and law enforcement officers dispersed the crowds in South-Central Los Angeles. National Guard members would patrol the area for more than two weeks. As the riots ended, thousands of people participated in a peace march in the city’s Koreatown neighborhood. Mayor Bradley lifted the curfew on May 4.
Aftermath.
During the course of the riots, 53 people were killed, and more than 4,000 were injured. Property damage amounted to about $1 billion.
The Los Angeles Police Commission investigated the LAPD’s response to the riots. In October, the commission issued a report that criticized authorities for failing to plan for unrest following the King verdict. The report also highlighted tensions between minority groups and police.
In 1993, a federal jury found two of the police officers in the Rodney King case guilty of violating King’s civil rights. The other two officers were acquitted on the same charges. In 1994, another federal jury ordered the city of Los Angeles to pay King about $3 3/4 million in damages.
See also Los Angeles (History) ; Rodney King incident .
