. . a call to examine police behavior nationwide" (Brewster & Jennings 537). People on the streets knew that racial profiling existed among the prestigious Los Angeles police force. "Nearly 48% of blacks felt that they would be treated unfairly if encountered by an LAPD officer" (Church). African Americans had legitimate reason to want reform and, with groups like the NAACP, probably could have pulled it off. Nevertheless, the black community held in their inner sanctum as the reel of King being cruelly smacked eighty-one times replayed itself on the nightly news. They could only tolerate so much more before actions would erupt. .
The trouble plaguing the city of LA now filled the plate of judges in the area's court district. Where could Stacy Koon and his colleagues receive a fair trial? Despite the fact that many people did not actively protest or cause a public disturbance because of the beating, people still possessed outrage deep within. Many people interpreted the assault as "nascent racism" (Brewster & Jennings 539). Although there existed no ideal location to hold the trial, Judge Stanley Weisberg decided, to the resentment of blacks, to hold it in Simi Valley, a predominantly white area. .
Criticism found its way to the judge, but the trial went on. To the shock of the country, jurors sided with a theoretical vision of what the police officers saw, a drunk man who posed a major threat to their lives. Although the camera portrayed a much different scene, the verdict came back as not guilty. Immediately, the rage that had stayed bottled up inside the black community exploded. "When the verdict was read, Los Angeles erupted into what would be one of the worst scenes of civil unrest" (Brewster & Jennings 538).
The scene had been set for a time of fear and violence, hate as well as destruction. All over the city, looters devastated storefront windows and decimated passing motor vehicles.