The Rodney King Riots & Latasha Harlins Shooting Black History Files (DEEP-DIVE) Capitalism & True Crime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVcQBMDMp7M&t=927s

PURE EVIL The Rodney King Riots & Latasha Harlins Shooting Files (DEEP-DIVE) Capitalism & True Crime... Today I talk to you about, The UNSOLVED True Crime Case Stories, in Black History about these events, I talk about, In 1992 4 Los Angeles policemen — 3 of them white — were acquitted of the police brutality of Rodney King, an African-American man. Caught on camera by a bystander, graphic video of the attack was broadcast into homes across the nation and worldwide. Fury over the acquittal — stoked by years of racial and economic inequality in the city — spilled over into the streets, resulting in five days of rioting in Los Angeles. It ignited a national conversation about racial and economic disparity and police use of force that continues today. "When the verdict came out, it was a stunner for people coast to coast. My jaw dropped," says Jody David Armour, a criminal justice and law professor at the University of Southern California. Los Angeles Police Department officers then kicked him repeatedly and beat him with batons for a reported 15 minutes. The video showed that more than a dozen cops stood by, watching and commenting on the beating! King's injuries resulted in skull fractures, broken bones and teeth, and permanent brain damage, Ultimately, four officers were charged with excessive use of force. A year later, on April 29, 1992, a jury consisting of 12 residents from the distant suburbs of Ventura County — nine white, one Latino, one biracial, one Asian — found the four officers not guilty. Residents set fires, looted and destroyed liquor stores, grocery stores, retail shops and fast food restaurants. The reaction to the acquittal in South Central Los Angeles — now known just as South Los Angeles — was particularly violent. At the time, more than half of the population there was black. Tension had already been mounting in the neighborhood in the years leading up to the riots! Another contributing factor: The same month as Rodney King, a Korean store owner named Soon Ja Du UNALIVED Latasha Harlins, who was accused of trying to steal orange juice. It was later discovered Harlins was clutching money to pay for the juice when the store owner took her life. The store owner Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and received probation and a $500 fine. The incident heightened tensions between Koreans and African-Americans, and intensified the black community's frustration with the criminal justice system, At the same time, the community's anger was also deepening against Los Angeles police. In 1993, hip hop artist Tupac Shakur released a song titled "Keep Ya Head Up", which was dedicated to Harlins. 

African-Americans said they did not feel protected during times of need, but instead reported being harassed without cause, The LAPD at the time was almost an occupying force, particularly biased against people of color, the city was not adequately prepared for the riots. In fact, there was no anticipation of — or official plan at the department for — major social unrest on this scale, The Alcohol industry is purposely targeting poor black communities of color opening them in those areas of towns and cities, Riots claimed 200 liquor stores but South L.A. still suffers, But the riots accomplished in three days what years of protests could not: 200 liquor stores were wiped out, in a 51-square-mile swath of the city weighted down with more than 600, The liquor stores were flashpoints for trouble long before Rodney King, 45% of the liquor stores in South L.A. were operated by Koreans, But the proliferation of liquor stores — not the ethnicity of owners — is what drags the community down, Black youths exposed to more alcohol advertising, More than 1,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and approximately 2,000 Korean-run businesses were also damaged or destroyed. In all, approximately $1 billion worth of property was destroyed, The Rodney King true crime case and the Los Angeles riots exploded out of social issues that still have not been resolved. That shocking, grainy video of his beating would be just the first of a long line of police brutality videos to go viral, After the civil trial, Rodney King was awarded a settlement. In 1993, Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell, two of the four officers in the King case, were found guilty of violating King's civil rights. They both served 30 months in prison and did not return to the police force. They no longer live in California, ETC!!!