Looking Back At The Rodney King Beating, 30 Years Later

The beating of Rodney King by police officers took place 30 years ago on this day, March 3, 1991. 

It wasn’t until several days later that the world saw the attack which was videotaped by a private citizen and brought the attention of the whole city to the hearing of the four officers involved. After three of the officers were cleared by a mostly white jury, the city ignited into six days of protest and violence. 

We look back at the beating and the events that followed. Plus, if you remember watching the tape for the first time or have memories of that time in Los Angeles, share your story by calling 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Jody Armour, professor of law at USC; he tweets @NiggaTheory

Brenda Stevenson, professor of History and African American studies at UCLA; author of numerous books, including “The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins:  Justice, Gender and the Origins of the L.A. Riots” (Oxford 2013)

The beating of Rodney King by police officers took place 30 years ago on this day, March 3, 1991. 

It wasn’t until several days later that the world saw the attack which was videotaped by a private citizen and brought the attention of the whole city to the hearing of the four officers involved. After three of the officers were cleared by a mostly white jury, the city ignited into six days of protest and violence. 

We look back at the beating and the events that followed. Plus, if you remember watching the tape for the first time or have memories of that time in Los Angeles, share your story by calling 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Jody Armour, professor of law at USC; he tweets @NiggaTheory

Brenda Stevenson, professor of History and African American studies at UCLA; author of numerous books, including “The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins:  Justice, Gender and the Origins of the L.A. Riots” (Oxford 2013)