California in the 1990sCalifornia in the 1990s

What major issues do Californians face during the 1990s?

Rodney King Beating

1991: Motorist Rodney King was speeding through Lakeview Terrace (was doing 115mph and was high on PCP)CHP & LAPD arrest him, however four LAPD officers beat King claiming he was resisting arrest

• George Holliday videotaped beating, sent it to KTLA Ch 5

• Four officers charged with excessive use of force. 1992: All four are acquitted by a jury in Simi Valley

1992 Los Angeles Riots

A few weeks prior a Korean store owner got an easy sentence for shooting a teenaged black girl, S. Central residents upset

Crowds start gathering at police HQ in Downtown LA and on the corner of Florence & Normandie

People start attacking cars, LAPD does nothing

• Truck driver Reginald Denny pulled from his vehicle and beaten

• Full scale rioting & looting ensues – takes National Guard & LAPD 4 days to end the violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W

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1994-95 OJ Simpson CaseJune 1994: Nicole Brown Simpson & her friend Ron Goldman are brutally murdered in West LA

Police find a bloody glove and other evidence pointing toward former NFL star OJ Simpson as the murderer

Simpson attempts to flee with a friend in a white bronco

Simpson arrested and put on trial for murder

Simpson attorneys Johnnie Cochrane & F. Lee Bailey try to make it seems like police bungled investigation

Racism of LAPD also brought into trial, despite DNA evidence, Simpson is acquitted of the murders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=infL

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Ballot Box Attacks

Demographics changing in CA rising Hispanic pop in 90sCalifornia voters approve three controversial propositions in the 1990s all aimed at minority groups

1. Proposition 187 (1994)Would bar illegal immigrants from receiving health care or public educationBacked strongly by Gov. Pete Wilson it wins with 59% of vote

2. Proposition 209 (1996)Ends Affirmative Action in government hiring and admission to UCs & CSUs Passes with 54% of the vote

3. Proposition 227 (1998)Ends bilingual education in California, teachers could be fired for teaching bilingual without a state approved waiverPasses with 61% of the vote