Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee, who was deeply involved in the response to the 1992 insurrection in Los Angeles, announced that she is introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles 1992 Insurrection.
“Thirty years ago, we witnessed Los Angeles Police Department officers savagely beat an unarmed black man, Rodney King, while 17 police officers watched and did nothing to stop the brutal beating.” said Congresswoman Waters. “I could not believe my eyes back then and to this day that no one came to Mr. King’s aid. Furthermore, it was clear that police officers could care less about Mr. King’s life, and in doing so, provided additional evidence to people across this country of the injustices Black people suffer at the hands of police. What’s more, the acquittal of the police officers that denied the footage we had seen was just wrong, and the insurrection that followed was an outcry by people who had been forgotten, who had been denied opportunities, jobs, and wealth and now through this verdict had to accept police abuse.
“When the insurrection broke out, I immediately went into the public housing developments and worked tirelessly to try to get diapers, food, and milk for children. As I walked the public housing developments, I demanded that electricity and water be restored, and urged the Department of Justice to file civil rights charges against the recently acquitted police officers. I was out on the streets explaining to anyone that would listen that people had a right to be angry. I redirected the conversation to use that moment to expose that people had been forgotten and found themselves trying to provide for their kids and find jobs.
“My fighting against police abuse dates back to the extensive organizing and rallying to confront former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates in response to abusive tactics against Black men and women in the Los Angeles area.
“I have continuously used my voice to oppose police abuse and support police reforms such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House last year and is now awaiting action in the Senate. Even though the Senate has not yet passed it, I will keep fighting so our voices are heard and will continue to demand justice to prevent what happened to Rodney King from happening to anyone again.”
