Remembering the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection.

Whereas Friday, April 29, 2022, marked the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection; Whereas, on March 3, 1991, 4 White Los Angeles Police Department officers savagely beat Rodney King, a Black man, during a traffic stop following an alleged traffic violation; Whereas the beating of Rodney King by the 4 White police officers was captured on videotape and viewed by Americans nationwide; Whereas the videotape and press coverage of the beating of Rodney King by the 4 White police officers exposed the American people to the reality that Black Americans are often subjected to unfair and brutal treatment by police officers; Whereas, on April 29, 1992, following a trial on charges of excessive use of force, the 4 White police officers were acquitted by a mostly White jury; Whereas many Black Americans felt that the justice system had failed them by acquitting the 4 White police officers; Whereas the acquittal of the 4 White police officers by a mostly White jury led to a 5-day insurrection in Los Angeles, which created an environment of despair, disruption, and violence; Whereas more than 60 people were killed, more than 2,000 people were injured, and more than 11,000 people were arrested, and there was more than $1,000,000,000 in property damages to local homes and businesses during the insurrection; Whereas Congresswoman Maxine Waters provided critical leadership during and after the insurrection, courageously speaking on numerous local and national radio and television programs and publishing statements calling for attention to the urgent issues of poverty, racism, discrimination, and exclusion, issues that burdened the lives of millions of Black Americans in Los Angeles County, as well as other communities throughout the United States; Whereas Congresswoman Maxine Waters had the courage to speak for people in the Black community who felt excluded from the political process and explain why they were angry; Whereas despite considerable social progress during the 30 years since the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection, the issues of poverty, racism, discrimination, and exclusion continue to have a profound impact upon individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States; Whereas, during the 30 years since the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection took place, numerous Black Americans, including George Floyd, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Daunte Wright, and Patrick Lyoya, have been killed by police officers in the United States without due process; Whereas there have been numerous peaceful protests in communities throughout the United States in response to the killings of Black Americans by police officers; and Whereas, in honor of the April 29, 2022, anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection, community leaders across Los Angeles organized activities to commemorate the injustices that occurred in 1992 and continue their work to prevent tragedies like the beating of Rodney King and the acts of violence that were committed during the insurrection from happening again: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) offers condolences to all who lost their lives, suffered injuries, and suffered losses to their businesses and property during the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection; (2) recognizes the 1992 Los Angeles insurrection as a key moment in the history of the United States that resulted in continued revelations about racial inequalities and new attention to racial injustices nationwide; (3) supports the activities of community leaders in Los Angeles and throughout the United States to commemorate the events that occurred in 1992, oppose acts of violence, and promote equality and justice for all Americans; (4) recognizes the need for continued efforts to reform our Nation’s criminal justice system in order to prevent racial profiling and other unfair and discriminatory policies and behaviors by police, prosecutors, judges, and other public servants and to hold such public servants accountable when they treat persons unfairly; (5) urges law enforcement officers and other individuals who work in the criminal justice system throughout the United States to undertake all necessary and appropriate reforms to guarantee equal treatment under the law and ensure the safety, security, and protection of those they are required to serve, regardless of race; and (6) encourages Federal, State, and local political jurisdictions throughout the United States to develop and implement systemic reforms in order to improve the criminal justice system at all levels, ensure that all persons are treated fairly and equitably, and ensure that the rights of all persons as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States are protected.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the importance of the 1992 Los Angeles Insurrection in bringing attention to racial inequities, including with respect to racial profiling and other unfair and discriminatory practices in the criminal justice system. It also offers condolences to those who lost lives and suffered injuries during the insurrection.