War Information
10 sectionsHistory of Violence and State Oppression in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, America's second-largest city, has a history saturated with racial violence, police repression, Native genocide, and class exploitation. This city, known worldwide as the symbol of the American entertainment industry, has been the scene of some of the most horrific state crimes in US history.
Tongva People and Spanish Colonization
Before European contact, the Los Angeles area was home to the Tongva (Gabrielino) people. Mission San Gabriel, founded in 1771, subjected Natives to forced labor and enslavement. Thousands of Natives died and were buried in mass graves on the mission grounds.
Chinese Massacre of 1871
One of the largest mass lynchings in US history occurred on October 24, 1871, in Los Angeles' Chinatown. A mob of 500 white men attacked and lynched 19 Chinese residents — hanging and shooting them in the streets. Not a single perpetrator was convicted. This racial massacre reflected the deeply embedded anti-Asian racism in California's social fabric.
Zoot Suit Riots (1943)
For a week in June 1943, hundreds of white servicemen attacked Mexican-American youth in the streets of Los Angeles. The LAPD arrested the victims rather than the attackers — a stark demonstration of institutional racism within the city's police force.
Watts Rebellion (1965)
In August 1965, after the violent arrest of a Black motorist by the California Highway Patrol, six days of protests and civil unrest erupted in the Watts neighborhood — 34 killed, 1,032 injured, and over $40 million in damage.
Los Angeles Uprising (1992)
After the acquittal of 4 police officers who brutally beat Rodney King, the deadliest urban insurrection in 20th century America erupted in Los Angeles: 63 killed, 2,383 injured, and over $1 billion in property damage.
Rampart Scandal (1990s)
One of the largest police scandals in US history. Over 70 corrupt officers in the LAPD's Rampart Division were implicated in the torture of suspects, staged shootings, and evidence fabrication.
Homelessness Crisis
Los Angeles has over 75,000 homeless people — the highest of any US city. This crisis results from decades of neoliberal policy, housing racism, and economic inequality.
