race riots, Los Angeles

race riots, Los Angeles (USA) The sporadic eruption of racial tension in a city which is home to the largest community of Mexican Americans, and one of the largest communities of African Americans. The most well-known of these were the Watts riots, in the slum areas of the Watts district which were mainly inhabited by African Americans, beginning on 11 August 1965, as a protest against long-standing social injustice. Some 34 people died and over 1,000 were injured during a week of riot, which was eventually quelled by the National Guard. The riots helped to create a White backlash against gains that were being made by African Americans as a result of the civil rights movement. Since then, racial tension has persisted. On 29 April 1992, the acquittal of four policemen for the beating of the African American Rodney G. King, despite clear and well-publicized video evidence, led to renewed riots aimed at Asian and White shopkeepers and pedestrians. They were brought under control through the declaration of a state of emergency, and the calling in of army, police, and National Guard, by 2 May. In total, they led to 58 dead and 2,300 wounded, as well as property damages totaling $1 billion.