NHD Topic Essay

My topic is on the Los Angeles riots. My topic took place in Los Angeles California in South Central. It all started in 1992. The famous Rodney King was beaten severely by L.A cops. Mostly African Americans and Hispanics were harassed by cops because of their race. A lot of people were stealing from stores and etc… They figured they wouldn’t get caught because of all of the commotion that was going on.

I chose this topic because it seemed so fascinated to learn about. This topic grabbed my attention because I seen a movie about the L.A riots, which I really enjoyed and had entrance in. In numerous occasions of rioting, arson, and looting were taking place at the time of the riots in L.A. Live helicopter news reports showed the air over several neighborhoods appeared to be filled with smoke. Los Angeles Fire Department officials report that as many as nine (9) large stores are burning, and that numerous cars have been "torched" in an attempt to block intersections. That is what I seen in the movie. Also the movie was based on a true story. So I figured why not do a NHD project that I will really enjoy and have a little bit of knowledge about already.

I want to learn more about the L.A riots. I want to know if there were any court cases other than Rodney King, where cops got arrested or charged with any accounts. I also want to know if any large gangs or organized groups got busted.

The L.A riots connect to this year’s theme “Conflict and Compromise” because the conflict was that cops were taking advantage of certain people. People was robbing and stealing from stores. The compromise was that it all ended slowly but surely.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-EMERGENCYNET NEWS SVC.-04/30/92-1700CDT

MAJOR RIOT IN LOS ANGELES, THIRTEEN DEAD, 192 INJURIED
Los Angeles, CA - Following a jury verdict which acquitted four L.A.P.D. officers of charges resulting from the video- taped beating of motorist Rodney King, Southcentral Los Angeles erupted in a violent and deadly outburst of arson and shooting. Local police and emergency medical services officials report the deaths of as many as nine (9) people and injuries to another 138.

As the sun rose over Los Angeles, more than forty (40) major fires still burned out of control. They were part of an estimated 140 fires that were set in the Southeast and Southcentral parts of the city. During the night, firefighters and paramedics were hardpressed to keep up with the requests for emergency response to more than 140 fires. Reportedly, they came under sniper fire on several occasions, from rooftops surrounding the fire scenes. One Los Angeles firefighter is reported in stable, but serious, condition at an area hospital following his being shot in the face while fighting a blaze.

According to a police spokesman at least five (5) people have been shot by police and one was killed in a gun-battle in the city's Inglewood area. A spokesperson for the Daniel Freeman Hospital says that they have treated at least fifty (50) citizens with "riot-related" injuries. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officers say that all available city ambulances are "on calls" and that mutual aid from Los Angeles County and Orange County has been requested. At least 192 people are reported to have been taken to various hospitals in the L.A. metropolitan area.

References
http://www.emergency.com/la-riots.htm