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The Arrest of Rodney King

The Arrest of Rodney King

2018
File size: 13200px x 7264px
Print size: 44" x 24” 300dpi
Electronic painting

On March 3, 1991, Rodney King (b. 1965 – d.2012) was savagely beaten and arrested for driving while intoxicated and evading arrest on the Foothill Highway in Los Angeles with friends Bryant Allen and Freddie Helms. King ended the high speed chase at the advice of Allen at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Osborne Street in Lake View Terrace and was immediately tasered and savagely beaten by LAPD officers. George Holliday, an Argentine plumber, recorded the events on a video camera from his apartment across the street. King suffered numerous fractures and injuries but was never charged.

Holliday's video was shown on news stations across the country and internationally. The Los Angeles County District Attorney subsequently charged four police officers with using excessive force but were acquitted. Rioting ensued in Los Angeles and several other cities after the ruling, lasting 6 days in Los Angeles, killing 53 and injuring over 2,000. The California National Guard and U.S. military were summoned and restored order to the city.

The Arrest Rodney King
The Arrest of Rodney King
Rodney King
Rodney King
Detail: a tasered Rodney King is savagely beaten with alumnium clubs by Officers Laurence Powell and Timothy Wind as part of a LAPD "swarm" tactic ordered by ranking officer, Sergeant Stacey Koon, (raised arm holding taser).
Rodney King
Rodney King
Detail: Bryant Allen, a passenger in King's car, is forcibly held on the ground, preventing him from witnessing King's beating, and is later left at the side of road.
Rodney King
Rodney King
King is handcuffed and cordcuffed and dragged to the front of his vehicle.
Rodney King
Rodney King
Detail: Bryant Allen, is taken to a police car but never arrested, the police leaving him at the side of road with the admonition 'You're in a Crips neighborhood.'