I Lived In Los Angeles During The Rodney King Riots. I Fear For Florida This Week.

[DonRedwood]

In one day Los Angeles blew up around us. We didn't think anything like the riots could happen on such a wide scale.

We watched, horrified, as they dragged that truck driver out of his truck and smashed his head with bricks. That's how it started. That one brutal act of violence that everyone saw on TV live was like a spark. Something horrible that sent some people running to their front doors to make sure they were locked, but sent others out into the street for payback.

10 minutes later? Maybe 15 we went outside in our Hollywood neighborhood. Little spirals of smoke were starting to pop up all around us. Gunshots in the distance. And then CNN showed the looting starting and suddenly the little spirals here and there turned into giant columns of black smoke billowing up all around us.

And so it raged day after day. All the businesses in my neighborhood were gutted, many burned, all stripped of everything of value.

And the gunshots continued long after the news starting lying to the public, swearing it was all over. No more riots. All calm. But if it was so calm, then why so many gunshots? Why constant sirens? Why more columns of smoke?

I am worried for Florida. Dreadfully worried for Florida.

I hope you'll join me in sending them some good energy, or a prayer, or just some good thoughts. Peace out Florida.

[virgogal]

1. Wht would anybody riot? The jury makes the decision and that's it. That's the system.

[bravenak]

3. The same reason they did in 92.

The system doesn't work for everyone.

[DonRedwood]

5. google the Rodney King Riots.... these things happen

and they are violent and scary and do a lot of damage.

[virgogal]

25. I'm well aware of the RK riots. What on earth good comes out of

destroying your own neighborhood? I never did get that.

[southernyankeebelle]

29. I think when people have no hope and the rage boils over they pop. The rage has to go

somewhere. What happened there was down right awful in 92. I am going to give the african american community more credit then that. I am sure it would end up in riots like in 92. I could understand the outrage because I am white and I don't think the Martin family is going to get the justice they should get. I will always feel Zimmerman is a murder and the aggressor no matter the outcome.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

36. The very fact that people are assuming that there will be a racial divide on this case is to admit..

that this case was primarily about race.

If Zimmerman gets acquited, white people should be furious too, not just black people.

Everyone should be concerned if Zimmerman walks.

This shouldn't be a "black thing".

[southernyankeebelle]

45. Am white and I think Zimmerman was the aggressor. I sure don't want him back

on the streets. Yes I do think it has alot to do with race. The only thing Trayvon was guilty of was walking home while black in a hoodie. What a sad situation this country has gotten into when a kid who is black has to constantly watch out when he is out in public. That is no way for people to live.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

62. I very afraid. I have a brother and cousins, uncles and a father who all live in the South.

I agree 100%!!! Everyone should be outraged by this. Not just black people.

If you're a human being, you should be outraged!!

[southernyankeebelle]

114. Yes I live in a rural area of Tn. But not all people are bad. I wasn't born in the south

but have been here almost 20 yrs. I wasn't raise to hate people of color. If my father would ever hear a word about people of color out of anyone he would say something. You never should judge a person by their color.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

119. That's true! I grew up in Atlanta. It's not as segregated as people would think. In fact, fairly

progressive until you leave the metropolitan area. I totally agree with everything you've had to say for the last few days.

[southernyankeebelle]

129. Oh goodness I didn't know you were following what I write. Thanks. Don't worry

I pray every night these wackos get voted out of office. LOL. Hey guess what am watching on tv? Sharknardo. It would be nice if they landed in congress and took some of those idiot republicans out to an early retirement. LOL What a crazy movie. Someone has a wild imagination.

[Ecumenist]

139. Nope, someone is a meth addicted crackhead. ..Good grief.

You know, I though this was a joke, when I saw the commercial about it.

[Mojorabbit]

127. My husband has the news on in the other room

and it seems they are salivating at the prospect that there might be riots. It is awful.

[bike man]

34. Some think it's the ideal time to get free stuff, and justify it by blaming it

on someone/something else.

[kestrel91316]

35. It rapidly devolved into a free-for-all with massive looting so people could get free stuff.

The Korean community famously had conflicts with the black community, so the riots mainly centered on Koreatown. Plenty of hispanic immigrants in that area joined in.

A lot of community anger and people with axes to grind turned out.

[Gravitycollapse]

60. The neighborhood is viewed as a structural manifestation of systemic oppression.

To destroy it is to symbolically destroy the oppressors.

[CreekDog]

146. you sure get around

[NealK]

150. Isn't that Knott's Berry Farm in the background?

I sure would love to get a couple of Kronutts right now.

[rhett o rick]

38. Good grief. You dont get out much do you? "That's the system". nm

[HardTimes99]

135. I share your exasperation. As if this case would have been handled the same, were

Martin white and Zimmerman black.

Jeesh!

[rhett o rick]

136. The police treated Zimmy as the victim. nm

[HockeyMom]

2. Gunshine State

If Florida wasn't this, Trayvon Martin would still be alive and none of this would have happened.

[Nevernose]

4. That wasn't LA, that was the whole country

Nationwide. It was scary all over.

[Just Saying]

85. I live in Cleveland and worked downtown during the LA riots.

It wasn't scary here at all. Nothing happened here. I recall a few other small incidents in other cities, but I'd hardly describe it as "scary all over."

[Nevernose]

93. I watched people burn down the welfare office in Las Vegas

The police made a human wall to protect the casino from rioters, who were left to burn down the historically segregated West Las Vegas. My parents were in Dallas at the time and had their car windows broken out (while they were in it). There were riots in Atlanta and Miami, too.

Here's one example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Las_Vegas_riots

[Just Saying]

95. I've heard some things happened in LV

But idk about anywhere else. I think most Americans didn't experience the riots in 1992 personally. We saw it on TV and that's about it. It was pretty horrific in LA and maybe that drowned out anywhere else.

[Ecumenist]

140. Yes, I live in Northern California and NOTHING happened here. NOTHING.

My husband was @ Edwards on TDY and he as in LA when the riots broke out .

[premium]

151. North Las Vegas got hit pretty hard,

A good friend of mine worked at the 4 Queens as a security guard at the time and they were issued vests, helmets, and riot shotguns.

I also remember that all available Federal Officers in the area were put on standby to back up Metro and NLVPD in case they were overrun, luckily, we were not called in.

[Jenoch]

121. Nah...

It wasn't scary all over. That's a bit of an exaggeration on your part.

[Nevernose]

124. Would you be willing to accept

"It happened all over the country, even though nowhere was as bad as LA?"

Because there were riots all over the country, even if the memory hole is working against me at the moment. And I did give you a link to at least one other city, and personal anecdotes from others.

[Jenoch]

126. There were riots in places

across the country, sure. I was disagreeing with "it was scary all over".

[Bluenorthwest]

6. We were neighbors it would seem. Personally I did think such things could happen. Sorry.

The events at that time covered several days, there were curfews and eventually the National Guard. I lived right smack in the middle of it all and I surely do not recall anyone in the media swearing it was over when it was not. That would have been very difficult with curfews on and an entire city as witness. It was 6 days of this. I have no recollection at all of anyone saying 'no more riots, all over' because the National Guard did not even arrive until day 5. They did end eventually.
So. I was not part of the 'we' that thought such things could not happen, and I remember 6 full days of riots and curfews ending with National Guard presence.
Where exactly were you?

[bravenak]

7. I was right in the heart of it and I actually heard the feet running.

I didn't know what the sound was, so i went outside and all hell had broken loose. My opportunistic uncle ran over to fedco on la cienega an stole a shopping cart full o liquor. Then someone started a fire. I was 11 or 10, an he made me go with him to push the cart back home.
Then there was a mini race war, black vs brown. I was lucky as I happen to be mixed with everything so I was semi safe.
I never understood why we burned our own grocery stores.

[ZombieHorde]

17. Damn. nt

[KamaAina]

8. Just Florida?

I'm afraid the whole country's gonna blow.

[Just Saying]

88. We'll all be fine.

Most people just don't care that much to be honest with you.

I think it's a big deal and Zimmerman should be convicted but I certainly wouldn't get violent if he isn't. Violence is never the answer.

[HappyMe]

9. If Zimmerman goes to jail, what then?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. The OP is not assuming that white people will riot or that the KKK and NRA will join forces and star

killing black people. The OP only opines about black people because, you know, we're reckless and violent people. It's a ridiculous assumption, and I believe it's a racist one, too!

[HappyMe]

20. I'm sure that the

KKK and NRA types have far more sinister ways of expressing their anger.



I'm a white woman and the assumptions being made piss me off.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

23. I'm glad you see it. I think racism is deeply ingrained. It's never just about calling someone the

N-Word. It's about institutionalized racism; it's also about making assumptions concerning a group of people based on skin color. Problem is, most people can't even see the racism in this.

[Just Saying]

89. + 1

You're exactly right.

[skeewee08]

105. +2

[Number23]

76. I love DU so much. I feel like I'm among friends and family. Don't you?

[treestar]

138. Yes - it's another right winger meme, too

Also without regard to the huge difference in the Rodney King case - real cops vs. wannabe cop, a known racist cop organization, the LaPD, and the beating of Rodney King directly by those cops and caught on film.

the scarier result here is Zimmerman getting away with it and walking and the resulting gloating of the NRA and KKK and the emboldening of more future Zimmermans.

[rhett o rick]

40. They best keep him in solitary for his own protection. nm

[HappyMe]

43. Meh.

He's a tough, neighborhood watch guy. Surely, he can stand his ground in GP.

[rhett o rick]

46. I appreciate your sarcasm. But sadly, he is a coward and will not be treated nicely.

And I do not wish him to suffer more that that prescribed by law. I am not an authoritarian. I do not believe in vengeance.

[HappyMe]

53. I don't think that anyone is treated nicely in jail.

I'll just be glad if they lock his ass up. Beyond that, I'm not going to worry about him.

[uppityperson]

48. Then those who were supporting him will go shoot other youngsters to show they were scared

and had to defend themselves or to prevent said youngsters from becoming gangsters. I fear no matter what the ruling.

[HappyMe]

54. If he walks, it certainly opens the door

wide for that hideous behavior.

[uppityperson]

70. Open season for "oh, I was afraid" and if he's convicted, "let's go teach those young'uns a lesson".

But then I am cynical and don't have a lot of faith in people (tm)

[trumad]

10. Miami had a huge riot in 1980....

when a cop was acquitted for killing a black citizen.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. Yeah, cuz all we black people know how to do is riot! Why are you assuming that will happen?

Trashing this racist, ridiculous thread!

[Maximumnegro]

15. Seriously, what a stupid ass thread

oh noes, the negroes are going to hulk out!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. They're assuming just like Zimmerman assumed Trayvon was a "fucking punk"!

They don't even see the racism in their words. They don't even think before they say stupid shit like this.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. The poster also has a very very different set of recollections about the 92 unrest than I do

and I was there, even attended to a shot friend in my home, the OP remembers media saying it was all over when it was not, but there were 6 days of unrest, National Guard only arrived late on day 5.
The OP reads like this to me: 'they are going to get violent and it could spread, when you hear there is no violence, disregard that news and instead assume there is rioting.'
This OP also creates 'I'm gay and I stand with Centrist Straights to mock my own people' OPs which I don't buy into at all.
The OP is starkly lacking in details. Man, do I have 92 stories. Some too harsh for the DU..

[kwassa]

74. Me, too. I was there.

I lived near 6th and LaBrea. Where were you?

[CreekDog]

143. the OP said the Portland School District was giving Corn Nuts to special needs children

i look at the OP the same way i view most caricatures.

[Number23]

77. Welcome to DU, MaxiumNegro

Gotta good feel for the place yet?

[cali]

22. no shit the op is so fucking insulting

sheesh. stupid ass shit.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

13. It would be the African American community of Florida standing their ground. nt

[bravenak]

24. True.

But f that. It's too destructive. People die.

[kentuck]

14. Isn't that nonsense?

Why should we expect such stuff to happen? Shouldn't we think the best in people? We make mistakes some times. Many people think we made a mistake with the OJ trial? If this guy is a criminal, he will show his hand again and there will be no breaks - just like OJ...

[rhett o rick]

42. I would like to say it should be nonsense. But I am not going to be the one to tell the black

community to buck-up and deal with it because "it's the system". IMO they have been screwed by the system too often to ask them to take it one more time. This case is clearly about racism. And if the racists prevail, then we are responsible.

[NoOneMan]

134. Define "the best"

Is "the best" an entire community of people bending over passively after receiving a big "fuck you" from the system (again)?

I don't know.

I don't give a damn if they do or don't, and I'm not going to put myself in any position to judge behavior as "best" or "worse".

[Bluenorthwest]

16. I was there too. Not sure why you see analogy from that time and case to this..

I do not expect Zimmerman to walk and I also do not expect violent reaction if for some reason he does walk.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

110. Thank you, BNW!!!

[Maximumnegro]

21. If you didn't think a riot could happen in LA

like that, then you weren't paying attention. Florida is not LA. LA is LA. LA is just shy of apartheid with a black community occupying a part of the city bigger than most cities in America period.

LA and Trayvon have nothing in common.

[Bluenorthwest]

28. Well said

nt

[bravenak]

32. Being that I was there during the riots, I'd say that this is similar.

Race relations in Florida are not superior to LA. Oh and apartheid is nonexistent in LA.

a·part·heid (-pärtht, -ht)
n.
1. An official policy of racial segregation formerly practiced in the Republic of South Africa, involving political, legal, and economic discrimination against nonwhites.
2. A policy or practice of separating or segregating groups.
3. The condition of being separated from others; segregation.
I've lived everywhere in LA, from south central on Central ave, to long beach, to Hollywood, to San Fernando valley, to Frazier park ( near the grape vine). And I'm not white. I've also had white, Asian, Hispanic , etc neighbors in all areas.
A riot can happen anywhere. All it takes is some opportunistic people to take advantage f the situation.

[Maximumnegro]

51. I live in LA and have studied some of its history

though I was not there for the riots. Of course it's not LITERALLY apartheid, so no.1 does not apply but how can you say 2 and 3 is not a part of the history of the black community in LA? Seriously?

And a riot is not about 'opportunistic' people, it's about a pressure cooker environment where unaddressed grievances can no longer be contained and explode.

The history and geography of LA is clear on that. I have friends of all types here as well but that does not mean the city is not carved into more or less segregated municipalities where people of one culture can easily spend there entire lives without ever leaving their immediate surroundings (and yes sure one can say this about lots of places but again the unique geography and history of LA takes this to another level).

And Not saying FL is superior to LA in any way! I have family in south FL. That place is messed up! I'd take LA any day!

[bravenak]

63. My point is that Florida has race relation problems too and there are similarities there.

All it takes is one incident to blow everything up. Most people in LA can spend there lives without leaving their immediate surroundings, but most people travel around. Most large cities with black populations have this problem, we stick to our own. Because its not safe for a black person to be in white areas. We become suspects immediately and that pisses us off.
And yes the LA riot was full of opportunistic people, those who were concerned about making a change were protesting peacefully, them angry violent opportunists took advantage of the situation.
Not to say they had no reason to be angry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Miami_riots
This is about the Miami riots. Man killed by cops, no conviction, big riot.
Zimmerman may not be a cop, but he was a wannabe cop.
I hope for no riot, bu there will be protests if he's aquitted. And George may need to hide, because someone may be in fear for their lives if they see him as he's already gotten away with killing a kid.
I think the killing of a child has already built the pressure up.

[Gravitycollapse]

65. Your sentiment smacks of an Uncle Tom ideology

That violence can only be perpetrated by thugs and the good blacks were the quiet peaceful ones.

LA was a pressure cooker. And the residents of these poor neighborhoods reached a breaking point and lashed out. They were destroying an infrastructure that had become symbolic of the systemic oppression that created their own dire circumstances.

[bravenak]

69. Uncle Tom? Oh please!

I watched my friends and family act totally out of character. I saw so much shit with my own eyes that would make you shit yourself. They were angry and oppressed but us children were the ones who suffered. We had no food because our parents had burned down all the stores. The national guard was blocking us in, keeping us in our neighborhoods. People were beating up Mexicans on their way home from work. Women were raped. Apartment buildings were burned down. You had to write black owned on your store so it wouldn't be burned. Only one store survived in our neighborhood cabin liquor store.
It was hell for me. People were shooting guns into the sky for no reason, shooting at your car if you looked white. A lot of my family looks white so a couple of them got their asses kicked for nothing.
And yes I separate people into categories. Good people won't beat up random people, I hate violence perpetrated on innocent people by assholes.
And remember, I was a resident of these poor neighborhoods, I lived through the entire riots and the aftermath. I did not think at the time it would be so bad. We were cheering the on till the Reginald Denny beating. Then we felt sick. He got the same treatment as Rodney king. Maybe worse.
I just saw the aftermath of cops shooting an unarmed man around the corner from my apartment. No charges filed. Not enough people to riot.

[Gravitycollapse]

71. The oppressors wanted black only communities. The residents were acting out according to that belief

By targeting non-black shops and shop owners.

There comes a time when people are vilified to the point where they will act out on stereotypes precisely because they are so angry at those who created them.

Rage is a human quality. Having a breaking point is a human quality. These neighborhoods, as I'm sure you know, were poor, segregated communities policed by corrupt racists and abandoned by everybody else.

[bravenak]

72. I know the oppressors want white only communities.

I understand the rage, I was pissed at the verdict too. I was there. The rampart division served my area. They were the most corrupt law enforcement personnel I have ever seen.
And they burned some black businesses too. And looted some.
During the riot, everyone suffered. Us black people suffered the most.
An yes I was out there throwing rocks and water balloons too. Then people started dying and i got scared. My problem with it was that we burned stores in our own communities. I thought we should have made a point to take that shit to rodeo drive.
I was pissed that we had no where to shop after we burned down all the damn stores. And we couldn't get out to eat because of the national guard. We got stuck in a burning bloody wasteland.
Should have burned Beverly Hills if we wanted to make a point.

[Number23]

80. Are you black?

[Gravitycollapse]

115. Nope.

[Gravitycollapse]

64. Apartheid is used in popular vernacular to refer to forced segregation.

Many economic leftists, including Marxists, view the economic oppression and separation of blacks from whites to be a form of forced segregation. So, in that sense, there was apartheid in Los Angeles and it likely still continues to a lesser degree to this day.

[bravenak]

67. I understand.

It was terrible in the 20th century. Remember being asked what I was doing in my own neighborhood once. I actually watched the police arrest someone for nothing, drive them away, and later I found out that they just took him to an enemy neighborhood and beat him up and left him there.
Apartheid to me is South Africa and Palestine.

[NoGOPZone]

27. I fear for Florida too

but not for the reasons you do.

[notadmblnd]

30. Oh just stop with your fear mongering

if you're that damn frightened go sit in your fallout shelter. Maybe someone will let you know when it's safe to come out.

[Maximumnegro]

52. or Maybe not! nt

[JimDandy]

128. LOL! n/ t

[Jamastiene]

142. This should win a DUzy!

[galileoreloaded]

31. a good photo show.

http://framework.latimes.com/2012/04/19/photos-from-los-angeles-riots/#/0

[Harmony Blue]

33. I was in grade school when the L.A, riots broke out

and I lost three days of school. It was pretty bad as racial tensions were high between many races and ethnic groups and it was like a cascading effect because of the verdict. It wasn't just the African American community upset at the verdict as it was an outrage by all minority groups that lived in L.A.

[Nevernose]

37. I think a spate of black church burnings are more likely

Ad that's regardless of the verdict. I fear for the victims of hate crimes we're going to see, riled up by the Faux News racist brigade. I've seen the N word used more on the Internet in the last week than an average Stormfront member has personally used in a lifetime.

[Tx4obama]

39. Police department in South Florida makes video calling for non-violence post-Zimmerman verdict

DU OP with video here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023219650

[Jenoch]

44. I lived in Duluth, Minnesota at the time of the Rodney King riots.

Two months after those riots there was a train derailment in Superior, Wisconsin, just across the harbor from Duluth. A cloud of chlorine gas was emitted and was drifting towards Duluth. The entire city was evacuated. It turns out there was no danger, because the cloud of gas dissipated, but tens of thousands of people were evacuated up and over the hill west of Duluth. There were no riots, looting, or any violence. The people evacuated, waited, and then went back home to their homes and jobs. I drove around some barricades and went back downtown early and it was a ghost town. For anyone who knows Duluth, you could have shot a cannon down Superior Street and hit nothing.

[flamingdem]

47. I was in the midst of the riots as well

Drove right down La Brea after it happened and thought it was a war zone. Then plumes of smoke from the freeway.

The next day we left early, it was worsening, the security guard was supposed to stay but we said leave!

The surface streets were so jammed, major flight out of the center. People were giving aggressive glares. There was looting and yuppies were grabbing the expensive wine, this was on the news. Others were grabbing diapers.

There was a curfew.

[polichick]

48. Do you mean that Zim's creepy pals are gonna go nuts...

if he's convicted?

[MattBaggins]

50. The whole notion of riots occurring is racist

[aristocles]

55. Let's see what happens before making any judgments. nt

[anomiep]

58. Why?

Get people angry enough over something and there will be danger of riots.

That is not a white/black thing, it's a pissed-off-people thing.

[Azathoth]

61. lol, really?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_riot#Modern

[Just Saying]

97. Just skimming most of those appear to be police shootings.

And this is only a pretend police shooting.

There are people who consider the peaceful protests when Zimmerman wasn't charged "riots" too.

[Azathoth]

99. "And this is only a pretend police shooting."

Somehow, that strikes me as a distinction without a difference.

I don't live in Florida and I have no idea what the actual mood in the Sanford area is, so I can't say one way or another whether riots are likely (though I suspect it's just the right-wing media pumping the story to stoke their audience). With that said, given the level of emotion and media attention this case has received, I think dismissing outright the possibility of riots as an intrinsically racist idea is wildly ahistorical and just plain stupid.

[Just Saying]

101. I think it's racist

Because its being assumed that there will be riots if Zimmerman is acquitted but not if he's found guilty. There is passion on both sides and frankly, I'm more disturbed by the many armed, racist gun nuts that support Z than black people who want justice for a murdered teenager.

The right wing is ramping up the panic which may lead to more people being shot whether or not there are riots.

[Niceguy1]

157. there have been several threats

About rioting...

[Warpy]

57. So am I. I still have acquaintances there.

I'm afraid the cities are going to get very dangerous if he's acquitted. The burbs won't be any better, the vigilantes will be out in full force.

[NOLALady]

98. If he's acquitted,

it would signal open season on black youth.

You are correct, it will be very dangerous for young Black/Brown children.

[FarCenter]

59. Probably more like the riots after BART Police shooting of Oscar Grant in 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BART_Police_shooting_of_Oscar_Grant

[Phentex]

66. Drama

so much drama.

UGH!!!!

[REP]

78. So much agreement

with you.

Speaking of drama, though, what I remember most of that terrible day some 20 odd years ago is that was the day I had the surgery that removed the cancer that, while fairly low-level on the cancer scale, was growing at an alarming rate. So in my headspace, whenever I hear Sublime's April 29, 1992, it makes me think of unpleasant medical procedures

[Sissyk]

68. I guess I have more faith in

human beings as a whole. I don't believe there will be riots no matter the verdict.

The majority of what we read on the internet is hot air.

Also, you make it sound as if only blacks will riot if Zimmy is not convicted. Doesn't that sound kind of racist to you?

[HipChick]

75. The stereotyping of blacks on DU is disgraceful..

at times I do have to check that I'm not actually on Freeper site or something

[REP]

81. Oh, but you know "they" will use any excuse to riot

and "riot" doesn't mean "express anger at injustice," but looting.

because it's DU and it's hard to tell anymore (not you, HC )

[HipChick]

92. DU? I am begining to wonder any more, this case sure brought some true colors out..

[Number23]

83. Thank you.

Although I admit to being surprised that anyone still sees a difference between the two groups.

[NOLALady]

86. How True.

Disgraceful and Shameful. SMH!

[Rex]

79. I'm not worried, a lot of gun nuts are worried

and I can understand why since they have a lot riding on this case.

[ecstatic]

82. Thanks for your concern

Buhbye

[Just Saying]

84. There have been peaceful demonstrations around this case

And I see no reason to believe people will riot if Zimmerman walks.

LA was 20 years ago and while racism was involved, I think it was a different situation of a long term issue with the LAPD.

Frankly, I'm more worried about long term issues if he's accquitted as I think the SYG laws protect shooters too much. Taking a life should be taken more seriously than it appears to be with these laws. I know Zimmerman didn't end up using that law but even self-defense there seems to make it too easy to get away with murder.

I hope for peace always and tonight I'll hope for wisdom for the jury, justice for Trayvon and some peace for his parents.

[miyazaki]

87. Just call the Korean Grocers. n/t

[bravenak]

90. I hated that shit.

We had to crowd around the store so that people wouldn't burn it down. They were our friends and always gave us credit. Not fair.

[Earth_First]

91. I see DonRedwood has abandoned his thread...

I would too, if I created the racist OP above!

[REP]

104. I think he has some brown paper bag lunches to photograph.

[NealK]

152. Nose?

Don't you mean snout?

[Little Star]

100. Jesus H Christ. It's sad to see such a OP on DU. For shame!

[handmade34]

102. if the verdict

is not guilty, people (and not just people of color) will be angry, but that anger will be channeled into greater work for justice, civil rights, voting rights, etc...


http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/07/10/trayvon-martin-family-prays-for-peaceful-justice/

"It is very emotional for the parents...everyday they pray and they just have faith that everything is going to be all right.”
“They have always prayed and asked for peaceful justice,” he added later. “And they want everybody to follow their example, because if they can accept the rule of law, then everybody should be able to.”

[DCBob]

103. I dont think so. Not sure why but this feels different.

For sure many will be upset but I don't think riots will happen.

[gvstn]

107. I think with Rodney King it was obvious that he was beat down

And that the cops did something very wrong. The video showed that. Almost everyone expected the cops to be held accountable. When that not guilty verdict came down people were shocked and outraged. They felt enough was enough.

Here there is an actual law that may make Zimmerman's actions legal. It is a matter of who is more persuasive. Many or most may feel the law is poorly written but it does exist. I don't feel there will be as much outrage if he is acquitted. Plus Trayvon's mother doesn't want violence and has said so many times. She did not want her son's death ignored which is how this got national attention. Her actions helped get Zimmerman charged and the police department reprimanded. She will accept the verdict and so will the country, IMO.

[DCBob]

108. Yeah that makes total sense.

thanks.

[madville]

106. I seriously doubt there are any major incidents

While not an impossible scenario regardless of the verdict, highly unlikely.

[Hugabear]

109. What a disgusting racist thread

We're to believe that black people just can't help but to riot?

Shame on the OP for perpetuating an ugly racist stereotype, and shame on anyone recommending this thread.

[Starry Messenger]

111. We all so enjoy being the recipients of your creative writing exercises.

[Phentex]

122. That's what it feels like...

except this one didn't go over so well.

[CreekDog]

145. +1

[Starry Messenger]

148. *snort*

[marmar]

112. But were you horrified by the acquittal of cops beating a black man senseless on video?

[MineralMan]

113. Bullshit.

Utter bullshit.

[BlueToTheBone]

116. Umm, I think it started in Simi Valley when they convicted

Rodney King.

[olddots]

120. The trial was in Simi Valley

there was no rioting in Simi Valley . The trial was held in a VERY predominately white town with a totally white jury .The whole world saw a video tape of the police almost beat Rodney King to death .Our country just watched a trial where the defendant believes he is the prosecution .I hope there won't be an ugly aftermath to a trial that's really about a dumb law that may let the bad guy walk away and become a hero for parasites .

[BlueToTheBone]

131. I hope that a murderer will be convicted

if he is freed from responsibility, then I can understand whatever might happen (which I hope on both counts won't happen.) But it was not the beating of the white truck driver that started the riot. It was the wrongful conviction of Rodney King in all white Simi Valley.

[RebelOne]

117. I lived in Miami during the riots when a white cop

walked after killing a black man. I don't remember the whole story, but the city was in turmoil.

[liberalhistorian]

118. Wow. Your disgusting and blatant

attempts at racial fear-mongering and demogoguery are duly noted. And have no place here whatsoever.

[prefunk]

123. Is there really that much racial tension?

[Renew Deal]

125. Different time and situation

In LA there was video evidence of exactly what happened. In this case there are a lot of questions. Also racial tensions were off the charts at the time. Things are much calmer now. Of course, I don't discount the possibility that some teabagger does something stupid.

[jeff47]

130. I don't think the mayor will call for a riot this time.

For those unaware, or who have forgotten, LA mayor Tom Bradley made a speech calling for the people to "rise up" against the injustice of the Rodney King verdict.

It's rather unusual for a mayor to incite a riot, and I doubt the mayors in FL will do so.

[flamingdem]

132. Are you sure? The rioting started as soon as the verdict was announced

from what I remember.

That night the city was in flames

[jeff47]

141. His speech was at the AME church shortly after the verdict

Crowds had started gathering to protest, but had not started rioting yet.

And it wasn't "Mayor makes speech, crowd goes wild". It was just one of the factors leading to the riots.

[flamingdem]

144. I wasn't aware that happened.

Somehow I don't remember that he got the blamed for that then but maybe it came out over time.

[Union Scribe]

133. It's sickening how many people are willing to condemn the OP

as a racist with zero evidence besides your willful twisting of his words. Contrary to your imaginations, he said nothing about only black people rioting, or that black people are inherently prone to rioting, or that there will be rioting, or that it will only be if Zimmerman is found not guilty, or that he was cool with officers being acquitted of beating Rodney King, or any of the other things you're shoe-horning into his mouth.

For fuck sake. Only on DU can an OP saying they hope there's peace in Florida be construed as hateful.

[DonCoquixote]

137. I agree as a Florida person

Though frankly, it is NOT the AA population that gets on the internet and praises Zimmerman for shooting that (you know what word). I also doubt the gun shops that market Tray martin Targets are selling to AA's, seeing as how most of the gun shops down here are known for selling Rebel Flags.

[CreekDog]

147. you're absolutely right

there's nothing racist at all in saying that black people will riot in Florida just like some did in LA on account of a court case where a white defendant is acquitted.

nothing racist at all.

why would someone think that saying that people 21 years later will do what other people did in another state over a court case, just because they are black, why would that be considered racist to say?

[GObamaGO]

149. One, I call bullshit on your having been in LA during the riots

And two, you speaking from white male privilege, and making assumptions that if Z walks there will be riots is as racist as it comes.

[anomiep]

155. I hope there are no riots, but

I think people who think riots are guaranteed may in fact be being racist, depending on how they frame it.

I think people who think there is no chance of riots are being naive.

[NealK]

153. This OP is full of shit.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[life long demo]

154. I just re-read the OP

I don't think it was stating that this is what he expected was going to happen in Florida. It stated what he saw being there in LA. He just wanted to send "good energy, or a prayer, or just some good thoughts" to Florida. I kinda feel the same way. Nothing is going to bring Trayvon back, as much as we want that. We already know what has to be fixed. I'm just sad to read some of these posts. Shouldn't we be arm in arm against the bigotry? BTW, in case you don't know, I'm a 70 y.o. white woman living in PA.

[geomon666]

156. I live in Miami and riots are definitely a concern

This has nothing to do with race. People are fucking pissed off.