Watts Riots (aug 11, 1965 – aug 16, 1965)

Description:

An African-American man was pulled over for reckless driving, and resisted when officers tried to arrest him, beginning a physical confrontation. The crowd of onlookers became a thousand-strong angry mob and a violent exchange with police officers ensued. This resitled in the death of 34 people, 1032 people injured, 600 buildings damaged, an additional 200 buildings destroyed and 3500 arrests.

Significance: The Watts Riots was a response to mistreatment by police, brutality, and discrimination. However, the Riots didn't result in any significant improvement to the lives of the city's Black population.

Quotes: A young man in Watts said, "The riots will continue because I, as a Negro, am immediately considered to be a criminal by the police, and, if I have a pretty woman with me, she is a tramp even if she is my wife or mother".

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