Way Back Machine - 1992 Los Angeles riots

1992 Los Angeles riots


"...On March 3, 1991 African-American motorist Rodney King had been stopped in the Lake View Terrace district by Los Angeles police assisted by other law enforcement. King, who had a record of drunk driving and was believed to be under the influence of PCP, resisted arrest and was tasered, tackled, and beaten with nightsticks by four LAPD officers (three whites and one Hispanic). The incident was captured on video by a private citizen, and it became an international media sensation and a touchpoint for minority activists in Los Angeles and the United States. Eventually the Los Angeles district attorney charged the four with the use of excessive force in the beating. Due to the media coverage of the beating, the trial received a change of venue to a newly constructed courthouse in predominantly white Simi Valley, a Ventura County city. Contrary to popular belief, however, no Simi Valley residents served on the jury, which had been empaneled in Los Angeles County; the jury was, however, drawn from nearby San Fernando Valley. ..."

<vent>

Thank You!

Having lived in Simi Valley for 34 years, it’s always rather pissed me off to see how the city and its residents have had their characters assassinated due to the results of the Rodney King trial. From popular press to even a mention in a Law & Order episode, Simi has been bad mouthed for a decade and a half due to this trial.

AND NO ONE FROM SIMI VALLEY WAS EVEN ON THE JURY!!!

</vent>

Since we’re visiting the Way Back Machine today...

I was in the National Guard during the riots (after having spent 6 years in regular Army). And our unit was one of those called up to help restore order. Of course, by the time we hit the streets it had already run its course (Lets not get me started on that topic...).

I find it a little surreal that in my 11 years in the military, the closet I got to combat was protecting this grocery store and strip mall on the corner of W Imperial Highway and Crenshaw Blvd...

One of the things I remember most was how supportive the local residents were. All day and night it seemed like someone from the local neighborhood would come by to say "thanks" or offer our squad some coffee, donuts, home cooked cookies (oh, those were good...), etc. And of course the shop owners were overjoyed to have us there.

While the riots sucked in so many ways, over a decade later one of the things I remember most is how thankful and welcoming the people of the area were...

(via Social Nonsense & Odd News - THIS DAY IN HISTORY----Rodney King)


Technorati Tags: Simi Valley, 1992 Los Angeles Riots