In 1992, Los Angeles was embroiled in riots that were the cumulation of years of rising tensions between law enforcement officers and the city's African-American people.

The protests began after four LAPD officers were found not guilty for assaulting American construction worker Rodney King in 1991-an incident that was caught on video. The anger of the African-American community led to several days of widespread violence and destruction, including looting and arson throughout the city.

The riots lasted from April 29, Wednesday, up to May 3, Sunday. Thousands of National Guards and army troops were sent to curb the uprising that led to over 50 fatalities and more than $1 billion in damages.

'Not Guilty'

On March 3, 1991, the intoxicated victim-who was on parole for robbery-led the police on a high-speed chase through the city. When the police finally caught up to him, King was ordered out of the car and was subsequently beaten by LAPD officers using batons for over 15 minutes. The video, which was recorded by Lakeview resident George Holliday, showed over 20 officers present at the scene, most of whom watched and commented on the beating.

The 15-minute beating resulted in 11 fractures, including a fractured skull and cheekbone. The victim's bones and teeth were also broken. The gruesome crime led King to suffer from irreversible brain damage.

Holliday delivered the footage of the beating to the local television station, KTLA. Within a few days, all major networks were airing the video, leading to nationwide outrage.

On March 15, 1991, Sergeant Stacey Koon and officers Laurence Michael Powell, Timothy Wind, and Theodore Briseno were charged with excessive use of force.

On April 29, 1992, a 12-person jury consisting of nine white, one Latino, one biracial, and one Asian resident of Ventura County acquitted the four LAPD officers of beating King. The acquittals were announced at 3 PM. An hour later, the riots broke out in South Central Los Angeles.

Floyd Movement

Footage of the brutal killing of George Floyd by a white, Minneapolis officer reminded Angelenos of the existing police brutality against black men.

However, compared to the 1992 unrest, the new protests have been more organized and peaceful. Most demonstrations were also centered in downtown Los Angeles and the city's wealthier areas. While looters targeted many stores, the violence has been limited compared to the 1992 protests.

Connie Rice, a civil rights lawyer, linked the calmer protests to the improved relationship between the LAPD and the residents. The last several police chiefs have worked towards changing a culture where authorities viewed themselves as soldiers in war zones.

In 2019, shootings by LAPD officers fell to a three-decade low, with police firing on 26 suspects. The city's law enforcement authorities have only killed 12 people in 2019, compared to 21 in 2015.

Those protesting for justice for George Floyd also have more concrete demands, including cut to the LAPD. Mayor Eric Garcetti responded bu saying he and the council cut $250 million from other departments, including the LAPD, and would invest in education, health, and jobs for minority communities. The pressure of the protests also led the mayor to require officers to intervene when they see inappropriate uses of force.

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