The 1992 L.A. Riots and Civil Unrest | Asian Americans

On April 29, 1992, a week-long period of rioting and chaos swept through South Central, Koreatown, and other neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California. The initial unrest was sparked by the acquittal of four white police officers responsible for the beating of Rodney King, a Black man arrested for driving under the influence. The events were preceded by a long history of police brutality in Los Angeles’ Black communities. 

Resentment and fear grew between newly immigrated Koreans and Black residents of South Central, possibly due to cultural differences and a lack of historical knowledge of past African American civil rights struggles. 

Over five days, angry rioters, which included Black and Latinx people, looted stores and burned down buildings. The devastation spread from South Central to Koreatown and other areas.