23 Disturbing Pictures From The 1992 Los Angeles Riots
A look back at the violence that engulfed Los Angeles during the spring of 1992, presented by Getty Images.
Twenty-five years ago, the arrest of a black taxi driver named Rodney King made national headlines after video emerged showing his violent arrest by a group of white Los Angeles police officers. The video, filmed by a bystander from his apartment balcony, sparked public outcry over police brutality and the treatment of minorities by law enforcement.
On April 29, 1992, four of the police officers charged in connection with the incident were acquitted by a jury that was 75% white. Following the verdict, South Central Los Angeles erupted into riots that lasted for six days, until order was restored by the US military. When the violence subsided, 55 people were dead, more than 2,000 were injured, and 11,000 had been arrested.
LA police officers beat Rodney King in this image from a video taken by George Holliday from his apartment overlooking the street.
Demonstrators protest outside the LAPD headquarters at Parker Center in the wake of the verdict in the Rodney King case.
A police officer uses his baton on a protester at the corner of 1st Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
A man breaks a glass door of the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles.
A firefighter sprays water on a burning auto parts store on April 30, 1992.
Left: A Los Angeles police officer watches as flames engulf a local business during the riots. Right: A building that reads "LOOK WHAT YOU CREATED" goes up in flames.
The words "FUCK THA POLICE" are seen tagged on a wall outside the smoldering ruins of a strip mall following an evening of riots and looting.
A police officer checks for looters in a Chief Auto Parts store at Washington Boulevard and Western Avenue on May 1, 1992.
A store owner and a Los Angeles police officer inspect the damage caused by looters.
A group of police officers arrest a man during the riots.
A police officer stands near a wounded man as smoke from arson fires clouds the air.
Military troops arrive in Los Angeles to restore order.
Store owners defend their property as gunfire breaks out in Koreatown at Western Avenue and 5th Street.
An LAPD officer falls while chasing a suspected looter.
A police officer points a gun toward looters.
Armed National Guard soldiers hold a line in front of a post office in South Central Los Angeles.
Paramedics cover the body of a man found dead under Interstate 10.
A young woman sits on the hood of her car across the street from a burning grocery store.
Onlookers watch buildings burn during the riots.
Playboy Playmate Suzi Simpson signs autographs for National Guard soldiers posted near the Coliseum in Los Angeles.
Presidential candidate Bill Clinton stands with singer Dionne Warwick on May 4, 1992, following the riots.
A group of children attend a candlelight vigil one year after the Los Angeles riots.
See more harrowing pictures of the 1992 Los Angeles riots at Getty Images.
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Gabriel H. Sanchez is the photo essay editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York City.
Contact Gabriel H. Sanchez at gabriel.sanchez@buzzfeed.com.
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