Race riots in Los Angeles

Historical Context Note

Lucas Paul Richert (University of Saskatchewan)
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Riots swept South-Central Los Angeles on 29 April 1992, after an L.A. jury acquitted 4 white policemen on all but one count in the video-taped beating of black motorist Rodney King. The tape was replayed on television over and over, and it appeared as though the court’s verdict ought to have been clear-cut. The ‘not guilty’ verdict enraged blacks and rioters directed their anger at small businesses and passers-by. The death toll during the violence was estimated at 52 and the property damage was calculated at close to $775 million. A second trial was held in 1993.

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Citation: Richert, Lucas Paul. "Race riots in Los Angeles". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=3948, accessed 29 March 2024.]

3948 Race riots in Los Angeles 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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