40 Years Ago, August 11, 1965- Watts Riots: Still No Justice

[sintax]

The six-day explosion that shook America

Residents say little has altered in 40 years since riots tore apart Watts

Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
Thursday August 11, 2005
The Guardian

'This is where it all began," says Tommy Jacquette, extending a lanky arm in the direction of the run-down two-storey apartment block on the corner of Avalon Boulevard and 116th Street.

He is pointing to the spot in Watts, a district of Los Angeles, where 40 years ago, on August 11 1965, a young African-American named Marquette Fry was arrested along with his brother and mother, sparking the worst rioting ever seen in the US. When it ended six days later, 34 people were dead and 1,000 injured. An estimated 50,000 people took part in the disturbances, eventually brought under control by 22,500 police supported by almost 14,000 members of the National Guard. The cost of the disturbances was estimated at $50-100m.

On that hot summer's day, Mr Fry, an unemployed black resident of Watts, was pulled over for driving under the influence.

But, says Mr Jacquette, who witnessed the arrest, "what happened to him had nothing to do with driving under the influence. The abuse of Miss Fry , the way they treated her, that's what sparked this. They twisted her and pushed her over the car. They told everyone to stay on the kerb.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1546630,00.html


An armed National Guard patrolman leans against a street sign following the Watts riots, Los Angeles, California, August 1965. Photograph: Getty

[whistle]

1. LA police abused blacks back then, the abuses continued ...

...through to the Rodney King beatings and goes on even today. The Watts riots were triggered by the arrest incident but also was a backlash to Proposition 14 which stated:

"Neither the State nor any subdivision or agency thereof shall deny, limit or abridge, directly or indirectly, the right of any person, who is willing or desires to sell, lease or rent any part or all of his real property, to decline to sell, lease or rent such property to such person or persons as he, in his absolute discretion, chooses."

This was an affront to all minorities who say the amendment sponsored by the California Real Estate Association and supported by the Jim Birch Association that had in effect repealed the Rumford Fair Housing Act, which was the fair housing act for all minorities. Racists backed by republicans have been pushing this kind of crap for over 40 years and are still doing in the shadows under Bush.

[sintax]

2. Keep History Alive

[Brewman_Jax]

3. Also on NPR this morning

n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Good