1992 Los Angeles Uprising
Loading...
Get a QR Code for this tour
Description
A brief map describing key events of the L.A. uprising that took place after Rodney King's trial
1. Los Angeles City Hall
While most of the riots occurred in South Los Angeles and Koreatown, citizens showed up at City Hall after Rodney King’s beating to speak out against the racism propagating the city. City leaders were often slow to respond to acts of violence and arson. After the uprising, officials tried to heal the city’s wounds by starting the Rebuild LA projects. However, the disorganization and lack of strong leadership combined with the selfish monetary goals of large private corporations ultimately caused the Rebuild LA to fail to provide permanent solutions for the citizens and communities ravaged by the riots.
2. Koreatown: Commercial Area
Rioters and looters heavily targeted Koreatown during the uprising. The entire neighborhood was looted, vandalized, and set on fire, leaving the area decimated. A history of racial tension and recent publicized events pushed the Black community to take out their pent-up frustrations at Koreatown. Before the riots, Koreatown already struggled financially. In the aftermath, the desolated neighborhood never received enough help to rebuild properly, leaving the citizens to continue struggling economically and socially.
3. Parker Center
Right after the verdict on Rodney King’s case, protestors gathered in front of Parker Center, the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department. Initially, the protest began peacefully, however, the situation grew more violent as more people joined. In order to protect the building, officers formed a line to try to contain protestors. Spurred on by the police, the protests began attacking and setting objects on fire. Eventually, as the LAPD lacked strong leadership and the capabilities to respond to the riot, the mayor had to request assistance from the California Army National Guard.
4. Normandie and Florence
The streets of Normandie and Florence stood as the epicenter of all the riots during the L.A. Uprising of 1992. Protesters and rioters gathered to stand up against the myriad of racist police brutality cases and judicial negligence. Meanwhile, looters and more extreme rioters gathered to commit vandalism, raid stores, and attack passing vehicles and civilians. Powerless to contain the chaos, the police had no choice but to retreat while other emergency responders rushed to help the injured and contain fires.
5. Empire Liquor
Located in Koreatown, Empire Liquor also plays an important role in provoking the L.A. Uprising of 1992. In 1991, one of the store owners shot and killed a teenage African American girl for supposed shoplifting. After the trial, the Korean merchant, similar to the police officers in Rodney King’s case, faced light consequences for her crime. This pattern of negligence and unaccountability both disheartened and angered the Black community, building up to the riots.
6. The Superior Court of California: County of Ventura
This first entry related to the 1992 LA Riots is distant from most of the other locations. However, the Superior Court of California in Ventura County played a significant role in the L.A. Uprising of 1992. Here, the jury acquitted the four police officers charged with assaulting Rodney King in 1991. Immediately after the acquittal, the protests quickly began, effectively starting the riots.
