Events held around city to mark 25 years since the LA Riots

SOUTH LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - The City of Angels paused Saturday to reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots, prompted by the police beating of Rodney King.

Ceremonies throughout the day marked the anniversary of the riots that took 63 lives and cost more than $1 billion in property damage.

"This is a critical part of LA history," said LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. "If you don't learn your history, you're doomed to repeat it."

On April 29, 1992, a jury acquitted four officers from the Los Angeles Police Department in the beating of Rodney King. His beating and arrest was videotaped and shone light on what many believed was unfair treatment of African Americans at the hands of police.

The day of the verdict, unrest began in South Central on April 29 and spread throughout the city over a six-day period. On saturday, a march and rally was held at Florence and Normandie, the original location of unrest 25 years ago.

At an afternoon ceremony marking the date racial tension exploded onto the streets of LA, Mayor Garcetti talked about what's changed.

"This is a much more reflective and responsive LAPD than we had 25 years ago, and that's a critical relationship to make all of us are safe," said Garcetti.

He and others acknowledged opportunity for jobs and affordable places to live continue to be sources of tension in LA.

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