5 Days that Changed LA: Impact of 1992 civil unrest after police acquittal in Rodney King beating

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Sunday, May 1, 2022
5 Days that Changed LA: 1992 events that ignited fury across city
Thirty years ago, L.A. erupted in anger after four LAPD officers were found not guilty of the brutal beating of Rodney King. Fury quickly spilled onto the streets, leading to five days of civil unrest - looting, killings and thousands of fires that left parts of L.A. looking more like a war zone. We explore the impact of the unrest in the Eyewitness News Special, "5 Days that Changed L.A."

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Thirty years ago, Los Angeles erupted in anger after four LAPD officers were found not guilty of the brutal beating of Rodney King after a high-speed chase.

Fury over the acquittals quickly spilled onto the streets, leading to five days of civil unrest - looting, killings and thousands of fires that left parts of Los Angeles looking more like a war zone.

The events of 1992 ignited a national conversation about racial and economic injustice and police use of force that continues today.

We explore the impact of the unrest through the people behind the largest civil disturbance in American history and examine if changes since then to policing have been enough.

Watch the special, "5 Days that Changed L.A." wherever you stream ABC7.

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