Twenty years ago Sunday, Los Angeles erupted in riots that forever changed the city. Some conditions, like the LAPD's relationship with the community have improved, while the areas blighted by the riots still struggle today. Now hear from others as they tell their stories about a time that changed the way America saw race.
1992: The day the music stopped
Lon McQ talks about the day the music stopped when KJLH, a black owned music radio station based in south Los Angeles stopped playing music when the riots began and instead took calls from residents who reported what they saw and vented their anger and frustration at the verdicts and the ensuing destruction of their community.
Protester 'needed to vent' during riots
When Mark Craig heard the news of the verdict, he was filled with rage. He got in the car with some friends from his racially diverse suburb north of Los Angeles and raced to downtown LA, determined to express his anger and frustration at the injustice of the verdict. He felt betrayed by his country and was determined to let the world know. He and his friends found themselves smack in the middle of downtown LA in front of police headquarters. A melee ensued - cops facing off against a loud and racially diverse crowd of protesters and a swarm of media. The protesters shouted "no justice no peace" and looked to destroy anything they could find. In what became an iconic image, Craig, in his peace symbol t-shirt, throws his fists up in victory after the protesters set a parking lot kiosk on fire and toppled it over. Despite his optimistic perspective on life, Craig says that not much has changed in 20 years in terms of racial and economic struggles. "There will always be the haves and have nots" but he does what he can to be a positive influence on youth today.
Fireman relives day he was shot in riots
Los Angeles firefighter Scott Miller was driving his fire truck through the thick of the riot chaos on April 29, 1992 when a car turned its headlights off and pulled up on the passenger side of his truck. A man in the car pulled out a gun and shot him in the face while he was behind the wheel. His recovery was nothing short of amazing. Within a year, he was back at work on light duty at the la fire dept working for the fire prevention bureau, and after 4 years of hoping he'd get back to fire fighting, he accepted the fact that given his disability with his left hand, he'd never fight fires again.
L.A. riots through the eyes of a child
On April 29, 1992, Rosalina Nieves was just 9 years old. After coming home from school, she watched in horror as local TV stations in Los Angeles broadcast live images of mobs of people attacking passersby at the intersection of Florence and Normandy in the South Central section of L.A. The riots began after a jury acquitted four police officers in charges from beating black motorist Rodney King. The infamous intersection was just five blocks from her home. Scared for her dad's safety, she and her Mom continued to watch the news intently for any information that could keep them safe---especially since her dad hadn't yet made it home from work. The public service the news media provided that night, is one of the reasons, she says, that she chose to become a journalist herself. Today Rosalina works as an Assignment Editor for CNN in the Los Angeles bureau.
Covering the Los Angeles riots
CNN journalists look back at their coverage of the 1992 riots that engulfed Los Angeles following the acquittals.
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I was working at LAX at the time. After work I got onto I-5 heading home, instaed of heading home I-5 was a large parking lot no one moving. Finally an exit came up and I took it. I locked my car doors and drove through the riot area. I counted at least 20 different fires by the time I got home in Glendale. It took me over an hour to get home that day. this was totaly crazy here. I now live in New Bern, NC and people can not believe the stories I tell of that day.
The only reason riots don't happen again not only in LA but all over the States is because people became too lazy and reliant on the government. Get up and stand up for your rights already like the French did in the Revolution!
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LOL at these moron thugs burning and looting their own neighborhoods.
Why show the Rodney King beating but not the Reginald Denny or Fidel Lopez beatings? Seems there is an agenda here.
Because its a free country stupid. Why you take your own advise and can it. CNN isnt mentioning a damn thing about BLACK mobs attacking every white person they encountered. This is total bs and a double standard.
Sorry I was trying to reply to someone else
Oops. LOL!
Dante what punishment you recieve will be nothing compared to what is awaiting you where your going when your soul leaves this plane
So, is this some kind of media threat. If Zimmerman gets off it is time for the black community to riot. Poor timing at best. Media instigation for violence, at worst. Until it happens.
Can't wait for Dante "Football" Williams to meet St. Peter & God at the Pearly Gates and playback for him; that video showing him smashing the skull of that poor truck driver, with a 40lb. block of granite.
No chance you'll be getting in there Dante! Just look for the 'down' escalator sign!! You so richly deserve it. LOL!!!
There's no statue of limitations for murder genius!
Free speech does not mean that you should insult other people in an attempt to dehumanize them. CNN is doing the right thing by reporting on the LA riots. It's a part of U.S. history and should be remembered. No, it was not okay for people to loot the stores and bring utter violence and chaos upon the city. However, one should also remember that it was not okay for the LA police to brutally beat a man already on the ground. Both groups were in the wrong. And it's a piece of history that we should learn from. Unfortunately, most of the people commenting on this story are doing so out of spite and anger. Using slurs against others is wrong. Saying that you're ready to shoot and kill is wrong. Reading the comments on here only confirm the extreme racism, prejudice, and intolerance in this country. As a teacher, I see it every day in school in the U.S. with racially biased testing systems, racially biased teaching styles, and so forth.
Why not come together and start to make a change? CNN is not fueling the fire. Those who cannot let their prejudiced ideas go are the ones who light the spark that unleashes a wildfire. Please think before you spew such vile thoughts about your fellow human beings.
CNN is not fueling the fire but never addressed who caused the LA riots. Did the 4 officers, did Rodney King. No the 100s or thousands of Americans who took to the streets to loot neighborhood stores, burn the neighbors property, fight openly, throw trash, threathen and harrass others. When will we stop making excuses and demonstrate ownership of our acts. I do not care how you feel about the verdict, handle that in a mature and rational way. To not point this out adds to the justification for the riots. All the people who took part in the desecration of the city and their neighbors property ought to have shame in their hearts but they are taught to justify their actions because of something they did not like. Wake up.
Stopped reading your post at the word "however." You propose that two wrongs made a right. The riots may have been sparked by the court case, but should be thought of completely separately in terms of responsibility. The rioters were criminals, thugs and general human poop who decided that the best course of action when you are angry is to burn down your own neighborhood.
The rioters did more harm to their own cause than good with their desperate actions which put their lack of education and good judgement on center stage for the world to see. They yelled that as an ethnic group they were being mis-treated by the police...and then go and take action that results in forcing the police to treat them harshly. Pure ignorance.
The riots were not in the same category as the demonstrations of the 1960's civil rights. Civil rights was organized, peaceful on the part of demonstrators, and thus powerful. The LA riots are a blemish on US history and an embarrassment to the groups involved. There was no honor in the riots and we shouldn't romanticize them. They were ghetto, self-serving people – many of whom did not give one crap about the King case as much as how to get themselves looted goods. Same thing happened in New Orleans after Katrina. Opportunists doing what they do: taking advantage of chaos for personal gain.
Any new riots are not political statements. They are threats to the cities they occur in. They need to be shut down – with violence if that is what it takes. If the rioters don't know how to, or don't care to, move their agenda forward in a peaceful, organized way that does not damage innocent people's lives and property....release the dogs and load live rounds.
I loved those days so much, before big technology ruined life and made it stale and boring. the riots were amazing and full of life and death and intrigue!! ahh, the memories
People like you are the reason we still have racial issues
Watts Riots....Newark Riots....LA Riots.....It's been a while.
I love how people here are commenting on this like they understand. I was a young child in California, and scared at the time, but also angry. I grew up with stories of police harassment, and when the Rodney King trial happened I thought this might be the beginning of the end of police brutality. Boy was my 11 year old brain ignorant. The verdict sparked anger and rage throughout the community. But I think most harmful of all was this was also the end of the race discussion as far as white America was concern. Before the riots, America had been having an on-going race discussion since the 60's. After the riots white America was ready to turn off this discussion. This act of rage, no matter your opinion of if it's justified or not, was the end of a conversation that still needs to be talked about and finalized. Until we finalize the race discussion in the United States, we will be a country of ignorance.
These things don't worry me, I worked hard so I won't have to live in those neighborhoods. When zimmerman gets off it's looting time! free stuff and mayhem in the guise of protest.
that would be cool but it's a much softer more boring world we live in and i feel most will be too scared to do anything or too busy playing video games. sad, because we need a good riot.
Mr. Catsnake. Have you ever been in Liberty City or Overtown in Miami...... After 10:00 p.m.? Or Miami Gardens, Where Mr. Martin was from. Violence is a part of everyday life in these communities. I work with people that live in these areas and there are not to many people that go untouched by it. Please be very careful for what you wish for.
Live by the sword; die by it. There is no excuse or rationale for living a life of violence. None. No lack of opportunity or education or money or upbringing or family conditions or neighborhood or peer pressure or anything else justifies it. There are too many stories of people who could have turned to crime or violence who DIDN'T and became successful.
A life of crime/violence is a choice...one of many choices. There is ALWAYS a choice that does not include rioting or looting or crime. But many people choose the wrong path and there are consequences.
Do NOT take away the responsibility of people who live in challenged neighborhoods. Do not make excuses for them, or disempower them by victimizing them. They are responsible for their choices and what happens as a result. Riots need to be put down – with force if necessary. They cause too much damage to everyone else – lives, property, other damage. A rioter made a choice to be standing where they are..hopefully in the sights of a cop's tazer...or firearm.
Injustice is the reaction to injustice – how is that working out for you??
What does Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have to say about this? Oh wait the riots do not involve white people as perpetrators so I guess it's ok.
Seems to be the only time they ever get involved.
The government-media complex has GOT to keep race in the headlines. RACE, RACE, RACE 24/7/365. Blame, blame and blame some more. It's absolutely pathetic. The media is hoping for new riots. It will be a different ballgame this time. Mark my words.
Some of you should be upset with your parents you all were raised scanless i would slap the life out of mi son if i heard him saying these things get a grip learn to raise ur kids better then this.. Dnt waste Gods creation better it
How many stores were looted and burned when O.J. Simpson was acquitted?
The Obama tribe has its own set of rules.
Obama tribe??? What's wrong with you? How much more narrow-minded can you get? Are you aware that there are blacks who do NOT like Obama's policies?
92% will vote for Obama. Congratulations if you belong to the 8%.
This is the type of troll of which I spoke earlier.
What, pray tell, does Obama have to do with ANY of this???? Jim Crow is OVER!!!
If 92% will vote for Obama because of the color of his skin, one would conclude that "Leroy" Crow is alive and well.
The Obama tribe is the Obama tribe. Get over it.
George Zimmerman's trial will end in a hung jury, if not acquittal and when the Florida Obama tribe takes to the streets for a little casual looting and violence, they will find that Hispanics are not as timid as white folks. Hispanics shoot back.
w/r/t Craig who now "does what he can to be a positive influence on youth today": how is he doing that...by NOTfollowing a mob mentality by NOT setting things on fire???
To those of you who ignorantly spit venom of various sorts - were you there? I was. Not in the middle of it, but close enough - working at the corner of Western and Imperial. If you don't know where that is, go back to watching the Kardashians. If you've never had National Guard on the roof of your building with automatic rifles because the KMart next store to your bank processing center sold firearms, tune back into your biased (either direction) radio show host. If you haven't been able to contact your family in a true emergency because all the phone lines in the city were busy or down, post another update on Facebook. If you've never seen a family member or spouse almost have a nervous breakdown when you walk in the door 5 hours late and all they have seen is the rioting on TV, then SHUT UP.
I watched a fast food restaurant across the street looted and burned. I watched a gas station/convenience store on the corner looted by pre-teen children. We sent 200 people home, and most were scared to leave, regardless of their race. I was escorted to my car at 10PM at night by a National Guard soldier who was as scared as I was. If you weren't there, then don't spew your venom here. Go to some other site, hopefully whose populace is mainly moronic trolls. And above all, please don't breed.
Most people who post here have nothing intelligent to say. It's easier to spew hate and chronic ignorance than to put their brain to work. As you can see, a great many of them have no basic understanding of syntax nor can spell.
to brokennarrowstuff thank u for speaking the truth i cant find the words to say about this
This an excellent post. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry that you had to go through such turmoil.
I was there. Please Explain again why they looted Freadrick's Of Hollywood and burned Majic Johnsons Movie complex
Just to put this into locational perspective, Reginald Denny was beaten at the intersection of Florence and Normandie - 1/2 mile East and 3 miles North of where I worked.
I was on Western and Slauson. Fires around the corner ...
Well stated. I was near King and Crenshaw. Originally, people were just protesting there. It was scarey how fast things got out of hand. And the city smelled of smoke for days after. It wasnt the LAPD or the National Guard that looked out for me and my mother's safety – the NOI were the ones that checked to make sure we were okay and made it home safely.
What happened to King was no justification for what the rioter's did. It was an excuse to act like a bunch of animals. They were not that upset about the beating, they do that to each other on a daily basis, it was an oportunity to act out all the hate the black community has for whites. Why is there no news reports or talk shows discussing all the black against white terrorism that takes place in the school systems alone??? White people will not stand for another episode we will fight back!!!
"... all the black against white terrorism"? What are you talking about?
Why is there no news reports or talk shows discussing all the black against white terrorism that takes place in the school systems alone??? Meaning black terrorism against whites. Learn how to understand what you are reading.
I think we see more black on black terrorism. In my county it's Mexican on Mexican murder. Do you know how many students I have both buried AND visited in jail? We have problems of our own. Riots are kind of the least of our worries. However, everyone has a gun.
"Everyone has a GUN?" They had better learn how to USE it!
My ex-husband taught me how. I just pray I NEVER have to use it. The thought sickens me.
The primary reason they rioted (the stated reason) was that in 1992, racial equality in the courts was a joke. They moved the trial out to (relatively) lily-white Simi Valley, picked a near-all-white jury, then acquitted the 4 police officers. That acquittal is what set off the rioting. Things were tense, but relatively peaceful, throughout the even and the trial. When the acquittal was broadcast, the rioting started within 90 minutes.
So your saying the riots were justified. You're an idot. I lived in LA at the time and it was sad to see the whole thing happen.
Joe,
I'm saying nothing of the sort. I'm simply stating what was reported at the time. And I lived in SoCal from birth (1954) until 1993, when I moved to the Midwest. The riots were in no way, shape, or form justified.
They weren't acting.
So the solution to the injustice of the verdict is to go and destroy the very community most of these rioters lived in? I don't get it. The problem is people these days resort to violence as the answer to whatever injustice they feel is done to them. In the end you only hurt yourselves and whatever cause you are championing. I didn't like the verdict but I wasn't caught up in the rage that overcame so many people. I don't live in LA. I watched this all on the news and as i was watching this I remembered thinking, "this may be the dumbest thing I've ever seen".
We resorted to violence to start this country, when it was divideded by the Mason Dixon line, and in order to push our democratic agenda globally. So why are you surprised that the people resorted to violence? They merely followed the role model of previous and current leaders.
I was 12 when this happened. I watched the whole thing on the news and though just how stupid it was. My dad took the time to explain what was going on. As an adult it'st still stupid. If there is ever a riot in an area I live in, then guess what...good luck getting anything, for I will have a gun and I do know how to use it. Though I don't ever want to shot someone, I will to protect myself and my property. Being smart is safe.
I remember this, when all the frustrated people were were screaming for justice while stealing TV's and couches. Remember when OJ was acquitted and all the white people rioted and tore up there own neighborhoods? Oh that's right, that never happened
Damn im very sad my mom is white in mi dad is black where do me in mi brothers n sisters stand in this
You stand TALL AND PROUD! My kids are mixed too. Don't subscribe to any hate you see here. There is good and bad in ALL people.
Ms. Nikky, this SHOULD honestly be a matter of right/wrong, justice/injustice. Unfortunately, there's so much misery, hatred and fear in this country that it will never be that. You can only do what you think is right, treat people (black, white, asian, mexican, etc) the way you would want to be treated. That is, until they prove to be undeserving of that treatment, then you do what you have to do to protect yourself and your family against those that mean you harm. By any means necessary.
And they all said: "amen."
Veronica, that was a terrible, heartless, and cruel thing to say to this young woman. You are the reason black people feel they have to be on the defense all the time!
i want to say thank u to tha positvie comment put to veronica are you really serious rite now
How is CNN stiring the pot by doing a story on an anniversary of a very vivid event for those of us who lived in LA in 1992? It's the commenters turning this story into a racial issue bringing up the Trayvon Martin case. It's amazing that every single article will evenutally turn into an Obama bashing/Zimmerman case will end in rioting debate. It's people like the negative commenters that incite hate, don't blame CNN blame yourselves.
Three letters..C. C. W.
maybe LA should host an event to commemorate the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the King riots. how about a loot-a-thon?
Once Zimmerman is acquitted i am sure the blacks in Florida will use this for an excuse to riot and burn their own neighnborhoods down and then ask for relief from the goverment claiming descrimination and unfairness.
for 1 cnn is wrong for this cause when i read sum of the comments i was disapointed. Im a 21 year old black and white female living in la i have a son thats black white n salvadoren. i dnt understand y all these racial issues is problem n how sum of u people can live with ur self while ur judging book by they cover mi mother and GRANDMOTHER
What is black an white. Are you a police car? Do you look like a character from batman? Do you have white hair on a black body or vice versa. Are you trying to say you are a mixed . Most USA people are mixed nationalities if you go back far enough in their family trees.
The simians know how to light up the night when they party. The Obama tribe burns down their own neighborhoods.
Florida storeowners better hide their televisions, $150 sneakers and booze when Zimmeran is acquitted.
I was a teenager living in south central L.A. at the time of the riots. I remeber feeling like you could cut the tension with a knife the afternoon before the riots actually started. Having the LAPD and the courts basically decide that it was okay to beat citizens that way and get away with it just felt llike a brutal rape. Eventhough it was a scarey feeling to be right in the middle of what took place, I didn't blame those that took to the streets. I'm sorry, but "peace" is not always the solution. Some "powers that be" don't understand that language. When all else fails, heads need to roll – they key is making the right ones roll.
Morons stealing televisions and burning down their own neighborhoods is hardly "making heads roll". It's just another example of how pathetic and self-important society has become.
HA! You're such a joke. Moving on...
Those who took to the streets should have been shot down like the rabid animals they had become. The National Guard should have been ordered in with shoot to kill orders. No court verdict, however bad, is an justifiable excuse for what happened.
Was Reginald Denny the right head? I don't think so
No, he was not. I felt horribly bad for him. I remember praying for him the day they showed him being attacked and wishing I could intervene somehow and protect him.
You know I was half way around the world travelling when this happened. I remember thinking why didn't they just shoot that low life when he lunged out of the car after a 100+ mph chase? Would have avoided the whole situation by putting a bullet in dirt bags like Rodney King.
It amazes me how you white people swear that black people are the majority of welfare and food stamp recipients. Little do you know, I work for a state agency that is contracted by the Dept. of Social Services and I can promise you that you are mistaken. I see it everyday. All of your dirty trailor park trash folks, cousins that are siblings at the same time lmao are you serious? What are they going to do when there is no more welfare?
Why are you assuming that the bloggers are WHITE? Innate racism of your own? Nice of you to suggest that black people come and "riot" my neighborhood. Problem is....you prejudicially deduced that I am white! In fact, I am not! See? You are assuming things too!!
its called per capita
heres what it means
if you have 10 white people and 2 are on welfare
and you have 3 black people and 2 are on welfare
then- per capita there are more blacks on welfare
seeing as how you didnt know this,i believe your bio,\.
you are a govt. employee and probably have 5 inch fingernails
and I hope they are able to see your comments and promptly fire you.
The actual number of whites and blacks on welfare is about equal. However when you consider that blacks are 11% of the population, and whites are about 65%, the percentage of blacks on welfare is about 6 times that of whites. Way to achieve!
Hey Jim, you are a racist pig. May you and your family die horrible deaths. Go back to europe. jerk.
Sorry....Europe won't tolerate it either. Europe is much more progressive than that.
Extremely lame reporting. 20 years "anniversary"- where were you at 10 or 15 years. So now we got Zimmerman coming up and, oh by the way news is a little slow around here and wouldn't a riot help CNN's ratings!
So don't tell anyone you heard it here first, but grab your pitchforks and torches and prepare to get out there and wreak some havoc!
CNN- We Create the NEWS!
Sadly you are right about truth and it starts with the people. The people dont genuinely care – we are so lazy we choose not to look up facts. That and the media does NOT care about truth – it cares about ratings.
Hence, we are ignorant and we listen to what we want to hear.
There will be riots when the jury returns a not guilty verdict in the Trayvon Martin/Zimmerman case – so we can look forward to a string of stories in 2032 to mark the 20th anniversary of those riots – thank goodness I will probably have dementia if still alive and won't care.
Reporting your racist comments.
Thank you Colonel PC for reporting free speech and comments that upset you ... Uncle Adolf and Goebbels would be proud of you as well
i see what y'all did there....cute.
I have reported your xenophobic comments to the webmaster as abusive.
ALL the comments here are mean. Why stop at his? This is what CNN was hoping for, I'm sure. Everyone who hides behind the anonymity of a screen name says hurtful things. You really have to have a thick skin to deal with them. The good thing is that we have a pretty good picture of where people stand (no pun intended) and they are standing their internet/blog ground. I think we can all agree that NO ONE here wants to see a riot of any sort. NO ONE deserves to be victimized.
Thanks for your prompt attention to report comments by people you do not agree with – are you in the teaching profession by any chance.... xenophobic... now there is a word we can be proud of – hope you equally report comments made by the New Black Panthers, AL Sharpton wanna-bes and anyone posting from certain sections of Chicago, St Louis, New Orleans, Newark and Baltimore
Only two people know the facts of the Martin-Zimmerman case, and one of them is dead. Zimmerman says he was attacked by Martin, and the only ONLY evidence in the case supports this [ his injuries]. So when the not guilty verdict comes in, will we have another "No Justice No Peace" riot, because justice will have been done.
Probably! Nothing has changed, including Al Sharpton's hair! LOL
The LA riots was one of the major reasons I relocated in another state far, far away. Now just imagine a magnitude 10 earthquake hitting the Los Angeles area? The past riots will look like cake walks when a major disaster hits that area. Compton, South Central, Watts will become a battle ground. We can all get along as long as the ground below you does not shake everything a part. The animals will then come out and begin to eat everything in sight. No business will be safe. Leave Southern CA if you know what's right. I did and don't regret it one bit. My family is safe now.
You are paranoid.
Here is what one intelligent poster just wrote to me: "I just hope they come to your neighborhood instead! Please my fellow black people, if you must riot please do it where it's deserved!!!! Thanks"
Instead of encouraging their people to use their voices and their education, this guy encourages them to be criminals! Nice guy!
Any I note he describes himself as "fellow black". Where does the "crime is okay" mentality come from?
Rioting IS a crime! No good ever comes from it; people end up seriously hurt or dead. Properties are damaged, businesses destroyed. Telling his fellow blacks to seek out my neighborhood is NOT because he wants to enjoy a backyard BBQ. He clearly hates white people. No matter....his friends would never be able to get into my neighborhood; it's run by Mexican Nortenos.
low IQ's".......some good ones.....but most do not value an education.
I think he's asking not to have his place looted and burned. Like don't cr@p where you sleep. Most animals won't if at all possible.
well said sir....if I may add one more to the list.......please pick up a paint brush or a broom and take some pride in where you live.....
No mention of Reginald Denny? CNN, you really are losing it.
I thought of Reginald Denny. I wonder why no one has interviewed him. Rodney King is getting air time, but no one has heard from Denny lately. I do know that after the riots and the convictions of his attackers, Denny FORGAVE them. He is a good man. He deserves to be heard from just as much as Rodney King.
I wonder how many times Rodney King has been in jail since this happened. hmmm.
quite a few times... at least he learned to not run from the cops anymore
Dumb monkeys trashing their own businesses and killing innocent people. Way to bolster your reputation in the society of America. Maybe you should just take your crap and go back to Africa since you all proclaim to love it so much.
does anyone remember reginald denny and how come there wasn't marches nor riots over that? I do say that perhaps the brick upside his head may have been even more severe than rodney kings beating was. and let's keep in mind that rodney king was violating the law and resisting arrest. reginal denny was simply driving a truck when he was pulled out and his head turned into jello by a brick to the temple.where was al sharpton and jessie jackson protest march and anti white rhetoric then?
I thought of Reginald Denny. I wonder why no one has interviewed him. Rodney King is getting air time, but no one has heard from Denny lately. I do know that after the riots and the convictions of his attackers, Denny FORGAVE them. He is a good man. He deserves to be heard from just as much as Rodney King.
I have reported your abusive and racist comments.
wow....CA with all it's gun laws.....this will never happen in Florida.....we are all armed.....and not afraid to shoot.......so black Americans that live in Florida.....since the state has over charged Zimmerman and he will get off....respect the law, respect other people's property everything will be fine......
It is perfectly legal to own a gun in California. Do a little reading please.
they were shooting up the place during the riots, everyone has guns there. The only stores that weren't looted were the korean ones because they armed up and warned the dirt bags that if they came near they'd be a gun fight.
There is more money to be made in perpetuating the problem than in solving it. Try contacting Professor West or Tavis Smiley for anything other than a book signing/tour, and they will not talk.
Why is this being brought up? Is this a prelude of things to come with the Martin case? Stop using violence and looting as the solution to your problems! Fight fire with fire – use your education and the resources available to you to get ahead!! I have 2 BAs and a Masters, and starting law school this Fall – all while working full-time. It can be done!!
I tried telling Robone this, but he fails to respond. The best thing people can do in their communities (regardless of what race they are) is to educate, give back, volunteer, be a big brother/sister, be a legal advocate, etc. But people like Robone want to foment dissent, turn back time, bring up irrelevant histories by comparing race in America to Nazi Germany. This is just keeping everyone cemented in the past. Move forward. Remember that we can be each other's allies so stop alienating everyone who has an opinion about how riots ought to be handled. If you are a criminal and you hurt or kill others, you should be punished. Simple. Why are blacks accusing us of being racist? Is there another standard of justice for rioters than there are for everyone else? Zimmerman will have his day in court.
Can CNN really try so blatantly to incite violence so they would have something to report without any legal repercussions?
I agree, when it is a slow news day, CNN and others make news,; it make money.
You know I am amazed how history keeps ignoring the role of Federal Troops in stopping the riots. I was there, part of 2nd BDE, 7THID (L), for close to 3 weeks and let me tell you it was 7thID and the Mariens that put an end to that mess NOT the CA NG- useless POSs let alone the outgunned LA Police.
wow, it is incredibly evident someone wants a race war in this country.
Let them. We all know who's going to win.
Bye Jim Crow. Please vacate. Why would I want to live around you. There are very few educated I know that would (black, white, red or yellow).
I can take no more of the low minded invidviduals who have congregated here. I'M OUT!
My favorite "excuse" about the crimes committed by races other than caucasian is the "I didn't have the same opportunities as white-folk" or "it's because of slavery" or "my daddy was never home"...come on now people. There is a thing called PUBLIC school, no one you know has suffered from slavery, and many people in this world are "normal" even without "daddy".
I find it amazing how the state run media, Al, Jessie, little barry and holder must always fan the flames of hate and racism. I do not care if the blacks burn down their hoods. If they go across the line and starte shooting, killing, rapping, murdering, burning, amd looting, then it is time to shoot to kill. Do not forget these people will kill over a pair of air jordons
And rioting and riot mentality are contagious. We will see rebellion amongst high schoolers as well. Remember when Florida high school students staged a walk-out and stormed through a local Walgreens? They practically terrorized the customers and employees by crashing and smashing everything they could get their hands on. THIS was THEIR way of protesting the Trayvon case when no arrest was made. Teachers and administrators in high schools will have to be vigilant.
I just hope they come to your neighborhood instead! Please my fellow black people, if you must riot please do it where it's deserved!!!! Thanks
Way to lift up your people there. Go ahead, encourage them to be criminals. Martin Luther King would be so proud. You couldn't get to my neighborhood anyway; mine is run by Mexican Nortenos.
why do do want more blacks to get shot?
CNN: I was disinclined to agree with those who have accused CNN of race baiting lately, but this is going too far.
This is why black people are viewed the way they are. How can anyone be surprised?
Other countries must look at us and laugh. Our police pull over a dirtbag drug addict whacked out of his mind and he resists arrest. The cops go overboard trying to get the guy to settle down. So, then the drug addict dirtbag becomes a hero and gets a huge settlement. The police are thrown in jail, all the results of fear caused by mass rioting that killed dozens. Millions are thrown at the community to calm them down. This country has absolutely no discipline or order at all. Next time this happens, the national guard should come in and start shooting all the looters and anybody out on the street. That will bring order back. They would do this in other countries. Our country is broke, we can't afford to keep giving money away to dirtbags and looters or people who don't contribute to society.
Except the police WERENT thrown in jail. Thats what caused the anger that started the riots.
The real anger was when the last box of diapers, the last 12 pack of beer and the last tv's and stereos had already been stolen – that was what the riots were really all about....
We must remember the contribution of Chicanos in the LA riots; as they were half the rioters. Chicanos did a better job of staying off camera however. I think if these riots had been in Long Beach the people there would have made little holes in the rioters.
The Long Beach cops also had citizens backing them up with their own weapons. We camped out on the corners for days after the riots started and the cops kept thanking us for helping protect our areas. You'll notice, not much rioting took place in Long Beach proper, but there was massive looting a few miles away from where I lived on Gladys.
This incident was stupid then and even more stupid now. I understand anger in the wake of the court decision, but come on, the dude was a criminal with a violent history and the cops knew this. Did they take it overboard? Maybe but I knew cops in the Valley who practice this behavior nightly due to the drug cultures where trying to take a guy into custody puts your life at risk.
I lived in Pasadena at the time in an upscale neighborhood and was 16. I recall all my neighbors stating they were ready to dust off their rifles if the rioters came into our neighborhood. It was a scary time but nobody was going to take any crap from any rioter.
Rioting only hurts the people where riots take place (usually the community of the people doing the rioting).
Hopefully next time, they are smart enough to burn the towns and homes of the 1 percenters...
the one percentage all have guns and no...they are not that smart
...and be dropped like German soldiers in a WWI trench rush.
That's not acceptable and is an irresponsible thing to say even in jest. No one deserves to be caught in a riot.
Racist much Jimmy?
How is the truth racist phearis?
"specist" you mean because we're not the same species let alone the same race.Need to study evolution instead of marxism
@bozobucks – lol, Your name pretty much sums it up. Troll much Bozo?
CNN – I actually enjoy most of the articles you highlight as headline news. I agree with others, you failed miserably with this one. The article makes it appear that there is a hidden agenda to spark riots just to create news. It seems CNN and other news agencies are disappointed by the peaceful protests following the death of Martin. CNN please rise above and not fall below!
Just wait until Zimmerman is found Not Guilty. The LA Riots will look like a school yard tiff.
Too true. If Zimmerman is found not guilty, which he probably will be, there will be riots like this everywhere, not just in Florida. The entire country could be thrown into riots and chaos.
no way.....we are all armed here in the great state of Florida....so bring it
Sacrifice Z in order to prevent racist riots? NO. NO. NO. Let him be justifiably acquitted. And then prosecute anyone who uses this as an EXCUSE to loot and burn. You DON'T convict a stupid-but-innocent man just because it is the EASY way out of this mess. Z didn't cause all of this. The THUG-MARTIN was the precursor. And the MEDIA simply inflamed and encouraged the rabid-racist hysteria. Have a nice day.
Everyone knows thats why MJ and OJ got off, to prevent riots........sad
Well 90% of the violent crime being perpetrated every day is by the black people at only 12.6% of our population. 93% of black people murdered are from black people. 80% of white people murdered are from black people.
I feel sorry for anyone murdered, raped, robbed or killed of any color. But just type BLACK ON WHITE crime in GOOGLE & FBI statistics and see the over whelming truth. It's amazing. Zimmerman wasn’t out robbing anyone to murder. He was actually trying to help others. That’s the difference.
Imagine if news reports came along every day if they told the color of the perpetrator…; But instead they say some suspect being arrested with NO PHOTO. Sometimes you can tell the name is a black guy IF they say the name. They wouldn't want to just tell the truth…
Approximately 90 percent of known serial killers are Caucasian males between the ages of 25 to 35. These people have high IQs ranging from 105 to 120. There are some, for example Ted Bundy, who even have an I.Q. of 140, who are considered to be geniuses (The Holmes Typology of Serial Murder, 1). Although these people are highly intelligent, they often have poor school performance and are socially inept. They prefer solitude to social environments. They also have trouble holding a job (Serial Killer Characteristics and Profile Definitions, 1).
If Zimmerman is acquitted....the riots WILL happen. Then there will be NO question that a 'stand your ground' law IS necessary. Everyone in Florida and elsewhere OUGHT to stand his/her ground if and when this occurs. Not another Los Angeles!! Seeing the footage is sickening. All of those people should have been shot down; the police were powerless. NEVER AGAIN.
90% of the violent crime being perpetrated every day is by the black people at only 12.6% of our population. 93% of black people murdered are from black people. 80% of white people murdered are from black people.
I feel sorry for anyone murdered, raped, robbed or killed of any color. But just type BLACK ON WHITE crime in GOOGLE & FBI statistics and see the over whelming truth. It's amazing. Zimmerman wasn’t out robbing anyone to murder. He was actually trying to help others. That’s the difference.
Imagine if news reports came along every day if they told the color of the perpetrator…; But instead they say some suspect being arrested with NO PHOTO. Sometimes you can tell the name is a black guy IF they say the name. They wouldn't want to just tell the truth…
What about slavery? What about Hitler? What about the numerous White KKK & supremist lynchings and murders? What about the white teens who go into their own schools and shoot down dozens for no reason. Senseless murder is international and has no demographic, mainly it is the disenfranchised. Ask the IRA! Please the only way we will grow is by stop spouting such ignorance. Remember, you probably say these things to your children. What will they become?
That was ages ago, get over it.
Are you really going to compare this whole situation to Hitler??? LEARN about the pogroms in Europe. You cannot begin to compare the social problems here in America to the Holocaust! Riots occur when people do not get their way. They respond thus because they have no education, intelligence, or civility to seek amends humanely; instead they behave as animals in the wild. This was NOT the case with the victims of the Holocaust. If you riot, loot, harm another person because of your lack of civility then you deserve to be controlled/arrested or if you pose a clear and present danger to innocents, SHOT!
Where there riots after Amadou Diallo was shot 41x and the officers acquitted? (1975)
Where there riots after Ousmane Zongo was shot by police and not jailed? (2003)
Where there riots after Sean Bell was shot 40x and the detectives acquitted? (2006)
Now there is Trayvon Martin by a wanna-be-cop.(2012)There have been no riots and there will be no riots.
In all these cases was only protest, civil disobience.
To descarado / leila and the other low self esteem, misinformed,feeble minded, hate-mongers. It is you who are still ignorant and pitiful 20 years later. You can spend your miserable lives waiting for us to implode. We will spend ours seeking to move forward to be the next congress members and Presidents that will run your lives.
Signed the Controller of one of the largest multinational companies in the world. Daughter in Yale. Son in Brown. See Ya, dont want to be ya.
There is no reasoning with these hateful idiots. Lord help them! Moreso, Lord help there chidlren!
Piers- your countrymen already conquered Africa, and the US is stuck cleaning up the mess in the former British colonies around the world.
Hey Robone...relax! No one is stopping you from getting your education and achieving what is rightfully yours! What WE are saying is that we will not allow people: black, white, Mexican to use the outcome of this case to cause utter chaos and bloodshed. YOU should likewise be promoting the same! ENCOURAGE your people, your associates, etc. to use their BRAINS, their educations, their VOICES to protest! So don't condemn me! If someone threatens my place of work, my children, I would be STUPID not to stand my ground and so would YOU.
"Signed the Controller of one of the largest multinational companies in the world. Daughter in Yale. Son in Brown. See Ya, dont want to be ya."
Gee, if you had healthy self-esteem you wouldn't need to brag about your social status. I am sure your people would not appreciate that. It's rude and unkind to flaunt your social status above anyone else's.
Robone, Amen!!!!!!
Ohhhhh, CNN and all the other "Mainstream Media" !!!
Let's wring our hands about what happened 20 years ago. Let's wonder why "the race problem" still isn't solved.
An, oh, by-the-way,
Had they called in the armed forces and strafed the protesters we wouldn't have had to worry about future riots.
Black people remember who enslaved them. Black people forget who freed them. Black people couldn't even free themselves. White people did it and the road continues. They still can't do anything for themselves.
I hate seeing these videos. The roits had nothing to do with Rodney King. It just provided an excuse for thugs and low life to surface and create more violence and cause problems. A swat team should have been called in and cleared them with live ammo.
The fact that whoever put this piece together is trying to make it appear as though there was just cause or that there was some sort of good that came out of the rioting is equally disgusting. CNN should really consider keeping this person on staff
The fact that whoever put this piece together is trying to make it appear as though there was just cause or that there was some sort of good that came out of the rioting is equally disgusting. CNN should really consider getting this person off staff. Or maybe thats the tactic? Enrage your readers so the visit the site more?? that front page is total shock value
dude your broadcast seems very subliminal but also blunt – it is apparent you want people today to riot just like in 1992 – don't you think it would make more sense for people to do peaceful protest this time ??
that would be up to the black community. I'm sorry to say . Get your fire insurance in order
This was BS, and the order to shoot and kill all looters should have been given. When and it will happen Zimmerman is found innocent if any one has illusions that they will be able to riot and loot in Florida remember this.....We will stand our ground and you will be taken down.
We can only hope they are smarter than to start this crap, but then again they did burn down their own neighborhoods in L.A, so how smart is that?
hahahah yes they did...burned down their OWN areas. real smart.
Because unlike you Jim we are not HOOD RATS.
I hope you're the 1st to go
THE TROUBLESOME MINORITIES WILL NOT BE HAPPY UNTIL OUR COUNTRY LOOKS LIKE SOMALIA
I TELL YOU PEOPLE NOW, RETHINK THAT RIOTING STUFF,WE WILL BE PULLING YOU PEOPLE OUT OF CARS THIS TIME
Unlike you weak pale creatures we would never let you get close enough to pull us out of cars lmao how silly of you. There's really no need for a riot if Zimmerman is aquitted. No need to get all of you, he's the one we want!
How low can you guys go? The effort should be on improving race relations in this country rather than pointing out the problems of the past. Did the Obama administration pay you to resurrect this stuff? I am absolutely appalled at your pathetic attempt to stir up bad feelings among the citizens of this Great United States of America. Get with the program and find something positive to say about how the citizens of the Great United States of America are promoting racial equality and working to ensure equality for all.
Wow!!! CNN IS TRYING HARD TO DEVIDE US!!
We don't need CNN, just ask the white guy that was beaten almost to death by a black mob last month. No arrests by the Baltimore police, but they are looking hard for the people. NOT
CNN is promoting and producing hate, they are not a news network anymore then the World Weekly News is.
And now on CNN "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"...."Ceaser No!!!!"
THIS TIME THE DARKIES ARE IN FOR A SURPRISE.
LOOTERS WILL BE SHOT
The stand your own ground will take care of these animals. Pull up a chair and watch
The riots were stupid.
A. The man was on drugs. When on drugs they many times are stronger than they appear and when on drusg they often resist aresst and try to refuse the handcuffs. If he was not on drusg then yes I'd support the black community.
B. The blacks also tried to harm the Korean community but we can see how they responded."Don't bring your anger in our area!" Good for the Koreans and more power to them!
CNN continues to foment racial divisions to increase the violent response following a Zimmerman / Martin outcome. They've done a good job of not only manufacturing news, but manufacturing issues which will become news.
The sodomites of CNN would love a repeat of the 1992 LA riots.
and this is how the liberal media steps in to incite violence about an on-going case (i.e. Trayvon Martin vs. Zimmerman).
This is disgusting to watch. There is and never will be a legit reason for this act. There where almost 100 innocent people killed by the black mob, this never got the light of day in the news. Its too bad the first day the military didn't put a quick stop to this disgusting act. The black community never apologized for the unwarranted destruction and death they caused. Why did the media never report the black mobs that dragged whites out of their cars and beat them to death? Why was no one ever charged with murder? You want to talk about poor Rodney King the criminal. What about the women and kids dragged to their deaths in the hands of the black mob!
This time the results will be much different, all will stand their ground to looting.
I think this was more about the "have nots" being tired of not having. However, their anger should have been directed as themselves since they are the ones, mostly, responsible for the situation they are in, but in America, you blame someone else for your problems.
Rodney King was just the catalyst for the rioting.
Looks to me like the Liberal Media is trying to intimidate any potential jurors, and to manufacture a disaster.
At least I'm not the only one who sees this. It is blatantly obvious what they are doing.
The technology is much better today. With 3D Technology plus all of the video phones it will be possible to get a much more panaramic view this time. There should be a lot of time to prepare too. Since the trial probably won't be over for another two years. It will be like preparing for the Olympics. And if done right could even prove profitable. Also last time 50 people died. So people should not get so giddy about participating this time around.
More race-baiting from the Cartoon News Network
The civil unrest in '92 will pale in comparison to what follows a not guilty verdict in the Zimmerman trial.
I say shoot the first person who starts anything in Florida. Enough said!!!
I get to shoot the second one!!!!!
I'm stocking up on ammo due to this "fear", because yes, it WILL happen and local law enforcement will be reeling from race divisions in their own ranks. Sad really...
I was living in L.A. at that time. When it really started to get scary is when the rioting started to spread to Europe about 2 days into it.
When the riot broke out I was working on a painting about fire. I went to the art store for supplies the next day and mentioned that to the sales clerk. They told me that quite a few artists had come into the store and mentioned that they had been working on art pieces that either had to do with fire or war when the riot started.
Interesting how psychic intuition works. We all picked up on that in advance of it happening.
cnn just cannot stop race baiting. cnn's ratings are so low that they have to try and get clicks on the website by getting people to argue online. cnn has turned into a pathetic race baiting, liberal agenda pushing, obama is God, pseudo news organization. I only use the website for quick sports access and to see what silliness they are spewing...
What's the purpose of rekindling the fire?
20 years and still Rodney King has not been put in jail one day for driving drunk and putting the lives of many in the streets in mortal danger for driving drunk. Why is it that he is ahero again? Plus all these protesters were stealing and distroying their own stores, buildings, cars, neighborhoods in all and they were heroes for doing this? I tell you, I fail to see the pride or justing in these two things: King a hero and protesters defending injustice. what a country this is.
Why is the media bringing all of this up – a coincidence that the Martin/Zimmerman trial is heating up? This is exactly the kind of press that Sharpton and Jackson want – it is money in their pockets.
It's the 20th anniversary. That's why!
I'd say it is even worse now. The illegal alien population has exploded and they are just looking for an opportunity to steal and riot. The back population is still dis-enfranchised. The cops are even more scared then incompetent than they were 20 years ago. Now we have Charlie Beck who loves law breakers more than he does law abiding citizens. So if it were to happen again it would be even worse and last far longer
Saw Reverand Al on with Rodney King (MSNBC?) last night.
Al said it was a shame that the rioters/looters burned their own neighborhoods down, as if burning other people's neighborhoods was OK. Oh, to have been a sniper during those riots.
Well, some peoples have never been know for having any intelligence.
The stand your own ground law in Florida will take care of these mobs. If you act like animals you should be treated like one.
REALLY? The news media can only focus on "yesterday". Are we always going to look behind us? Are we "yesterday people"? Come on Media, lets look at today and tomorrow and not 20 years ago on something that we can't go back in time to fix! Just shaking my head.
great post. That's what this news media just does. Rehash Rehash, Rehash. Old news.
so why the white people did not riot after OJ?? lern
White people are smarter than to burn their own neighborhoods down
because white people at heart are condtioned sheep. they are the ones who put hittler in power. they love to be told what to do, how to do it ,when to do it, as long as their overlord tell them they are doing it because they are superior, and that they should hate and kill anyone who is diffrent from them. cant help the fact that blacks are a more passionate people. it came through suffering. blacks morn harder, love harder, hate harder, forgive harder, worship and pray harder. too bad most whites dont get black people by now, but why should they? they're lacking a bit of their souls.
a bit? they haven't any soul. you could never reason with the devil.... the devil hasn't the capacity to do so.
CNN is using this story to incite violence. The bankers behind the FED who control the mass media have underestimated America's ability to solve problems with peaceful methods.
Maybe the gov. won't be using it's 500 million hollow point rounds and million coffins soon.
Hey CNN can you please stop stirring the pot with the racial hatred. You are a big part of the problem.
I agree
Florida better prepare for the worst if Zimmerman is acquitted. Floridians will feel as if they have every excuse to riot. What's more, they will enjoy it much like the Los Angeleans. You better hope Zimmerman is not acquitted just so we can keep the peace.
"Floridians" won't riot, any more than "Californians" rioted in 1992.
If there is rioting, it will be a specific demographic segment.
I disagree....I believe it will give Florida residents just the ammo they need to cause problems. It is already brewing. Yes, across the country....but Florida has a bigger stake in the outcome. Any excuse to destroy, burn, loot, maim, they will believe they can legitimately do so if the case doesn't have the outcome they want. It will happen in every state, but probably more in Florida where Trayvon is from.
I recall walking the south side of Chicago( Roseland), (which was all white, and now is one of the worst ghettos in the country), when the MLK riots erupted, armed with a shotgun, and am armed and ready if the situation arises again.
Walking ambushes and patrols in Vietnam prepared me well. Always thought that the race issue would resolve during my lifetime, but for naught. Love and Peace did not prevail in the 60's nor will it now. No one has a symposium on tv about the white side of the race issue. I do not plan on repeating white flight again as in the 70"s, and give up my neighborhood to be turned into a ghetto.
keep the peace? like the blacks that killed over a 100 innocent people in the L.A riots? is that the peace you want