Race riots in Los Angeles

Historical Context Note

Lucas Paul Richert (University of Saskatchewan)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 3.2.4: American (US) Writing and Culture: Postwar and Contemporary, 1945-present.
Vol. editors: Sofia Ahlberg (Uppsala University), Patrick Chura (University of Akron), Emory Elliott (University of California, Riverside), Dale Enggass (University of Utah), Christopher Hugh Gair (University of Glasgow), Matthew Hofer (University of New Mexico), Stephen E. Meats (Pittsburg State University), Kerry Myler (Birmingham Newman University), Justin Parks (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway), Nick Selby (University of East Anglia)

Domains

Race
Riots and violent protests

Dates

Date of occurrence 1992-04-29

Places

United States (Location)

Resources

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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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93 words

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 26 November 2024.]

Race riots in Los Angeles

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