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Los Angeles Riots 5/6/92 [OA 7573] [1]
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Los Angeles Riots 5/6/92 [OA 7573] [1]
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Speech Backup Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S; 2004-1891-F; 2008-0421-F
I-1891-F; 2008-0421-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13812
Folder ID Number:
13812-012
Folder Title:
Los Angeles Riots 5/6/92 [OA 7573] [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
9
22
6
6
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDE
05-May-1992 05:41pm
TO:
Carol B. Aarhus
FROM:
Margaret J. Hazelrigg
Office of Presidential Advance
SUBJECT: Info. on LA
LOS ANGELES, CA (RON) (Suzanne Faulk -
Trip Coordinator)
Visit 5/6 - 8
Martin Paine - Lead
Scott Fassett - Press
Greg Babarovic - Site
Paul Stevinson - Site (Rookie)
Greg Jenkins Press Site
Tim Simonson - Site
Kelley Gannon - Press
Rob Vincent Press Site
Doug MacKenzie - Site
Jack McDougle - Site
To reach staff office from White House: *
96 31 220
Hotel: Westin Bonaventure 213/624-1000
Staff Office: Room 3018
Sr. Staff Office:
Room 3122
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
05-May-1992 05:53pm
TO:
(See Below)
FROM:
Christina M. Martin
Office of Communications
SUBJECT: LA Contacts
E.V. Hills is the only event we can establish contacts with at the
moment. 213-235-2103
Should have a number for the firefighters event in approx. one
hour.
As Advance confirms events they will phoning in the specific info
and contact numbers. Hang in there.
DISTRIBUTION:
TO: Carol B. Aarhus
TO: Jean M. Bunton
TO: Gary J. Gershowitz
TO: Jennifer A. Grossman
TO: Susan M. Nix
TO: Robert H. Simon
Rae Nelson-7777
THE WHITE HOUSE
Keek For
Office of the Press Secretary
Immediate Release
March 12, 1992
may go Mo through
EXECUTIVE ORDER
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON AMERICA'S URBAN FAMILIES
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and
in order to establish, in accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), a
commission on America's urban families, it is hereby ordered as
follows:
Section 1. Establishment. (a) There is established the
National Commission on America's Urban Families ("Commission").
The Commission shall be composed of up to eight members
appointed by the President.
(b) The President shall appoint a Chairman and Co-chairman
from among the members of the Commission. The Chairman shall
appoint an Executive Director.
Sec. 2. Functions. (a) The Commission shall:
examine the current condition of urban families;
consider how existing government policies and programs
support or weaken the urban family structure;
evaluate the potential for integrating the delivery
of government services in ways to strengthen urban
greats!
families;
identify State, local, and Federal programs that have
been successful in preserving and strengthening urban
families;
analyze ways to improve private/nonprofit efforts
to preserve and strengthen urban families; and
provide appropriate recommendations for government
policies and programs and for actions by other
institutions to strengthen families living in urban
areas.
(b) The Commission shall make its report to the President
on or before December 31, 1992.
Sec. 3. Administration. (a) The heads of executive
agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the
Commission such information as it may require for the purpose
of carrying out its functions.
more
(OVER)
2
(b) Members of the Commission shall serve without any
compensation for their work on the Commission. However, they
shall be entitled to travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, as authorized for persons serving intermittently
in the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707 and 5 U.S.C.
App. 2, 7(d)). The Executive Director shall be compensated
at a rate of pay not to exceed the maximum allowable under
section 7 (d) (1) (A) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended.
(c) The Department of Health and Human Services shall
provide the Commission with administrative services, facilities,
staff, and other support services necessary for the performance
of its functions. Funds for the operation of the Commission
shall be provided by the Department of Health and Human
Services.
(d) Notwithstanding any other Executive order, the
functions of the President under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, as amended, which are applicable to the Commission, except
that of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services in accordance with
guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services.
(e) The Commission shall terminate 30 days after
submitting its report.
GEORGE BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 12, 1992.
# # #
APR 20 '92 14:53
P.1
APRIL 20, 1992
MEMBERS ANNOUNCED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON AMERICA'S URBAN FAMILIES
GOVERNOR JOHN ASHCROFT dum.
Post-It™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671
Executive Mansion
# of pages
/
100 Madison Street
To David Alexander
From Rich McClure
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Co.
Co.
314/751-3292 3222 M
Dept.
Phone #
314/751-2128 fax
Fax #
Fax #
MAYOR ANNETTE GREENLEAF STRAUSS
3510 Turtlecreek Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75219
214/520-3348
214/754-8473 fax
MAYOR VICTOR ASHE
Mayor of Knoxville
Jerry Parker
list for
Aimer.
P O Box 1631
Knoxville, TN 37901
Grace J Deberge Die
615/521-2040
615/521-2085 fax
ALPHONSO JACKSON
tax
Dir
6815 Lakehurst Drive
Dallas, TX 75230
214/559-9002 or -9000
214/526-3432 fax
WILLIAM F. WILSON
432 Evergreen Ave
P O Box 370695
Pastor
Brooklyn, NY 11221
Brooklyn, NY 11237
718/453-3352
718/443-6532 fax
DAVID G. BLAKENHORN, III
1841 Broadway, Suite 211
New York, NY 10023
212/246-3942
212/541-6665 fax
IRENE JOHNSON
4806 West 44th Street
pres LeClaire cts
Chicago, IL 60638
312/284-8718
RIS mgr.
312/284-6525 fax
JOSEPHINE VELAZQUEZ
5700 S.W. 97th Street
Miami, FL 33156
305/661-2353
305/541-6997 fax
ANPA
IMMED. AST. PROGRAMS
600 MILLION PACKAGE (eleased [Monday ?]
PRESS OFFICE PAPERWORK]
300 M SBA
$
FEMA GRANTS
PETE
what he do
what I'm doing
and here's what doc rt. now: SBA FEMA
$ 600 m total benc dispused
QL hig LA ribind
646-3692
(5May Thes 92)
DEANA GRANT PETERSON
AST.
STEVE DOUGHERTY - 646-3692
EST. OF DAMAGE EXTREMELY PUELIN
00m TO INDIVIDUALS
# Forms grants
up to $11,500 ea. interim resources
transition to crims Food trans, cloth, fun,
medical - linnet need
is there
Temp. itousing 1 max - minind many damg (mf/do.r) repair
check 18 mos. in amt st go rate
of that area of cost to rent a pacing to accom
family nuds
Nat's Inst. of mental
CRISIS COMNSELING- through Nat's org.
Health
remenders here (or prof. help/colois counseling
his also prot to my
disaster unergh Agristance - not covery lank norm progr.
benef up to 26 weeks
or how
that prog.
T 200m.
20
public assistance (State/Local goil-/mon-pr )
Nurtine for police addition pohn
pay 759.
administration Costs
aebis removal on pushi property
state
public Facty's - whines
(
TEMA his 1Vmts autunts
Pocess
talk to victims
alream
disaster field othice is up in LA
in Paseclena, Ca
FEMA
leadership
RED CROSS
STATE REPs.
get
Cred./gate coordination
a command HQ
joint information center
ded of victims
destribuyation trugs
800 # up & running now
application #
muti- language capability
THI @ least Lb move
my 3 xy
Loatian Spanish, Tai Chimse, # korean
N
people already cang on 800
for additional
Mandavin
dis. centers
praving
be app. hope up in have comm. up injusts. my
WALL WALL V& your 3333
up to 144
language
on
unless verbal,
on
Sund serigt wise
of
STATE MANAGEM
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
FACT SHEET
AGENCY
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 646-4600
Washington, D.C. 20472
FEDERAL DISASTER AID PROGRAMS
On Saturday, May 2, 1992, President Bush declared a major disaster for California,
triggering the release of federal disaster funds to help people and local governments recover
from the effects of urban fires in Los Angeles torn by civil unrest last week. The particulars
of the declaration and aid programs are as follows:
State: California
Declaration Number: FEMA-942-DR
Incident and period: Fires during period of civil unrest, beginning April 29, 1992.
Designated area: City and County of Los Angeles, Calif.
Declared assistance: Aid to individuals, families, business owners and local
governments.
Federal Coordinating Officer: William M. Medigovich, director of FEMA's regional
office in San Francisco, Calif.
Joint Federal/State Disaster Field Office: 245 S. Los Robles, Pasadena, Calif.
FEMA media contacts: Mike Allen, Ed Lecius, and Dave Martin. Tel.: 818-405-7290.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families:
Rental payments for temporary housing up to 18 months for those whose homes are
unlivable.
Grants for making minimal repairs to primary residences that are habitable or to make
them habitable.
Grants up to $11,500 to help meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by other
federal aid programs.
Low-interest loans from 4 to 8 percent to cover uninsured private and business property
losses. Loans available up to $100,000 for primary residence; $20,000 for personal
property, including renter losses; and $500,000 for business.
-more-
Loans up to $500,000 for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow
problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse
economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed
a total of $500,000.
Unemployment payments for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster
and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income
tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, social
security and veteran benefit matters.
Assistance for Affected Local Governments:
Payment of 75 percent of the approved costs for repairing or replacing damaged public
facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and
similar publicly-owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations
engaged in public service activities.
Payment of 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and
for emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property.
Loans limited to 25 percent of the annual operating budget of a local government which
has suffered a substantial loss of tax or other revenue and needs funds to perform
essential governmental functions.
Funding to restore certain damaged highways on the Federal Aid Systems.
How to Apply for Assistance:
Individuals, families and business owners in need of aid can apply in person at Disaster
Application Centers (DACs) at locations to be announced shortly in the designated
area. Those making applications should be prepared to provide basic information about
themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any
other information to help substantiate losses.
Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of
federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by
recovery officials in the next few days. Approved public repair projects are paid
through the state from funding provided by FEMA.
-30-
SEDERAL
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY GRANTS
Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs
Grant Limits ($11,500)
State Administered
FEMA Pays 75 Percent; State Pays 25 Percent
National Eligibility Criteria
STATE
FEMA
MAY- 5-92 TUE 11:06
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.01
INSURAL THE MANN ACERDA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, D.C. 20472
STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT
DIRECTORATE
Grant C. Peterson
Associate Director
TELECOPIER TRANSMITTAL HEADER
Telecopy Number: (202) 646-4060-Automatic
Verification Number: (202) 646-3692
FROM
TO
GENCY: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCY:
AGENCY
AME: GRANT C. PETERSON
NAME: JEAN BUNTON
FICE: state +Local Programs + Support
OFFICE: Research
LEPHONE NO. : 646-3692
TELEPHONE NO. : 456-7750
FAX: 456-6218
INFO
ROUTINE:
PRECEDENCE:
PENCY:
PRIORITY:
X
AME:
'FICE SYMBOL:
DATE: MAY 5,1992
ELEPHONE NO. :
NO. OF PAGES: 4
RANSMITTED BY: Steve Dougherty
MARKS:
MAY= 5-92 TUE 11:07
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P. 02
STATE UNITED HANAGE
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
FACT SHEET
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 646-4600
Washington, D.C. 20472
FEDERAL DISASTER AID PROGRAMS
On Saturday, May 2, 1992, President Bush declared a major disaster for California,
triggering the release of federal disaster funds to help people and local governments recover
from the effects of urban fires in Los Angeles torn by civil unrest last week. The particulars
of the declaration and aid programs are as follows:
State: California
Declaration Number: FEMA-942-DR
Incident and period: Fires during period of civil unrest, beginning April 29, 1992.
Designated area: City and County of Los Angeles, Calif.
Declared assistance: Aid to individuals, families, business owners and local
governments.
Federal Coordinating Officer: William M. Medigovich, director of FEMA's regional
office in San Francisco, Calif.
Joint Federal/State Disaster Field Office: 245 S. Los Robles, Pasadena, Calif.
FEMA media contacts: Mike Allen, Ed Lecius, and Dave Martin. Tel.: 818-405-7290.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families:
Rental payments for temporary housing up to 18 months for those whose homes are
unlivable.
Grants for making minimal repairs to primary residences that are habitable or to make
them habitable.
Grants up to $11,500 to help meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by other
federal aid programs.
Low-interest loans from 4 to 8 percent to cover uninsured private and business property
losses. Loans available up to $100,000 for primary residence; $20,000 for personal
property, including renter losses; and $500,000 for business.
-more-
MAY- 5-92 TUE 11:07
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P. 03
Loans up to $500,000 for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow
problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse
economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed
a total of $500,000.
Unemployment payments for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster
and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income
tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, social
security and veteran benefit matters.
Assistance for Affected Local Governments:
Payment of 75 percent of the approved costs for repairing or replacing damaged public
facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and
similar publicly-owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations
engaged in public service activities.
Payment of 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and
for emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property.
Loans limited to 25 percent of the annual operating budget of a local government which
has suffered a substantial loss of tax or other revenue and needs funds to perform
essential governmental functions.
Funding to restore certain damaged highways on the Federal Aid Systems.
How to Apply for Assistance:
Individuals, families and business owners in need of aid can apply in person at Disaster
Application Centers (DACs) at locations to be announced shortly in the designated
area. Those making applications should be prepared to provide basic information about
themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any
other information to help substantiate losses.
Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of
federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by
recovery officials in the next few days. Approved public repair projects are paid
through the state from funding provided by FEMA.
-30-
THE
MAY- 5-92 TUE 11:08
SEBROT
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY GRANTS
FEMA/SL-AD
Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs
Grant Limits ($11,500)
State Administered
FEMA Pays 75 Percent; State Pays 25 Percent
National Eligibility Criteria
FAX NO. 2026464060
STATE
FEMA
P.04
MAY- 5-92 TUE 12:50
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.01
Federal Emergency Management Agency
VEHICLE
ACENDA
Washington, D.C. 20472
STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT
DIRECTORATE
Grant C. Peterson
Associate Director
TELECOPIER TRANSMITTAL HEADER
Telecopy Number: (202) 646-4060-Automatic
Verification Number: (202) 646-3692
FROM
TO
GENCY: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCY:
AGENCY
ME: GRANT C. PETERSON
NAME: JEAN BUNTON
FFICE: state +Cocal Programs + Support
OFFICE: Research
ILEPHONE NO. : 646-3692
TELEPHONE NO. : 456-7750
FAX: 456-6218
INFO
ROUTINE:
PRECEDENCE:
ENCY:
PRIORITY:
X
AME:
FICE SYMBOL:
DATE: MAY 5,1992
LEPHONE NO. :
NO. OF PAGES: 4
ANSMITTED BY: Steve Dougherty
MARKS:
MAY- 5-92 TUE 12:50
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.02
Individual Assistance Programs
available for the
California Fire Disaster Declaration
Temporary Housing Assistance
For those displaced from a long-term residence:
*
Financial assistance to obtain alternative accommodations.
* Financial assistance to accomplish repairs on owner-
occupied homes that can be repaired quickly and economically.
For those who have financial hardship caused by the disaster
which may cause eviction or dispossession, disaster housing
assistance can be provided for rent or mortgage payments.
People who are not displaced from long-term accommodations are
not eligible for disaster housing assistance. However, if they
were displaced from short-term shelter, they are eligible for
emergency shelter.
This assistance is available without respect to alienage.
Individual and Family Grant Programs
Stafford Act
Funds of up to $11,500 may be made available to individuals or
families whose necessary expenses and serious needs cannot be met
through other forms of disaster assistance or through other means
such as insurance. The State administers the program and pays
for 25% of the grant costs; the Federal Emergency Management
Agency pays the remaining 75%. The eligible categories include:
housing (repair, replacement, rebuilding), personal property,
medical, dental, funeral, and transportation. Ineligible
expenses include improvements or additions to real or personal
property, recreational property, cosmetic repair, business
expenses, and debts incurred before the disaster.
State Program
California's companion to the IFG program provides for up to an
additional $10,000 to those who receive the maximum grant amount
under the Stafford Act IFG program, and who still have remaining
needs.
This assistance is available without respect to alienage.
MAY- 5-92 TUE 12:51
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.03
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
This program provides unemployment benefits and re-employment
services to individuals who have become unemployed because of
major disasters who are not entitled to regular unemployment
insurance. The Department of Labor has delegated authority to
administer this program, for which the Federal Emergency
Management Agency is the funding source, through State employment
security agencies.
The benefit period begins with the week following the disaster
incident or the date thereafter that the individual became
unemployed and can extend up to 26 weeks after the date of
declaration or until the individual becomes reemployed, whichever
is less.
DUA is not paid to an individual who receive regular unemployment
compensation, unless that person's other program eligibility
expires and weeks of unemployment continue in the disaster
assistance period. The average weekly benefit amount in
California is $142.
This assistance is provided to U.S. citizens and to legal aliens
since they are are "able and available to work."
Crisis Counseling Assistance
Upon separate request from the Governor, two types of crisis
counseling service may be provided:
*
Immediate services, funded directly by FEMA to the State,
for screening, diagnostic, and counseling services, outreach,
public information, and community networking, which can be
applied to meet mental health needs immediately following a
disaster. This funding, which is provided for up to 60 days
after the date of the disaster declaration, must be requested in
writing within 14 days of the disaster declaration.
* Regular program services are designed to provide crisis
counseling, community outreach, and consultation and education
services. This funding, which must be requested within 60 days
of the disaster declaration, may be provided for up to 9 months,
with provisions for extension. The assistance is awarded and
administered through the National Institute of Mental Health,
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the funding
source.
Crisis counseling assistance is provided without respect to
alienage.
MAY- 5-92 TUE 12:51
FEMA/SL-AD
FAX NO. 2026464060
P.04
Cora Brown Fund
Under a bequest from a disaster victim in 1977 (Mrs. Cora Brown),
a special fund for unmet needs of disaster victims is available.
Those needs which cannot be met by disaster assistance programs
or other means, and who are identified by the Federal Emergency
management Agency, the American Red Cross, or other Federal,
State, local, or voluntary agencies, may be considered for Cora
Brown assistance. This fund will not be used in a way that is
inconsistent with other Federally mandated disaster assistance or
insurance programs.
Disaster Legal Services
Free legal services can be provided to victims of a major
disaster. Legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce
a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are not paid part of the
settlement which is awarded by the court). Assistance examples
include: help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital
bills, loss of property, loss of life; drawing up new wills and
other legal documents; advice on landlord and tenant problems;
and preparing powers of attorney.
This assistance is provided without respect to alienage.
American Red Cross Assistance
* Emergency assistance may be available for those affected
by fire. Help with food, shelter, emergency medical care, rental
accommodations, bedding, and other emergency assistance is
available.
*
Additional assistance is available for fire victims who
have exhausted all their governmental disaster assistance
benefits. Assistance is available to complete repairs and obtain
essential replacement personal property.
This assistance is made available without respect to alienage.
SL-DA-IA-IN
May 4, 1992
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 5- 5-92 ; 10:40
2024566218:# 1
Jeannie Call if you
need more pete
What help proper
- 16 -
or
Marlin, was Gary able to get a better handle on
those numbers that --
MR. FITZWATER: The total estimate of SBA loans is
million, which is the face value of the loans, not actual
$300 outlays. The FEMA cash grants are estimated at $300 million. These the
estimates that may change due to assessments being made on
are ground. But the two together would be $600 million, as Ann said.
Q
Grants are to individuals and for infrastructure?
Is that combined?
MR. FITZWATER: Yes.
Q
Marlin, that exceeds the damages --
Marlin, you said the whole program is one of the
major programs Q that exemplifies the conservative direction that you
want the administration to go in. The program was, in effect, mostly
given away by the administration in negotiations with the House this
year. Kemp asked for a veto.
MR. FITZWATER: Which program? The HOPE?
The homeownership program. Kemp asked the White
House to vato Q or to threaten to veto the HUD independent agencies
legislation because the program was more or less -- written out large
parts of it out of these negotiations. Does the administration now
regret allowing this program to be decimated that way now and is it
going to have any more emphasis as you move through?
MR. FITZWATER: I'd have to talk to Jack about it. I
don't know what the status was. I don't have anything here on it,
and I don't know the legislative process --
of
Passed by the Senate and torn up by the House.
MR. FITZWATER: -- yes, whether we -- I just don't have
the status of it.
0
Marlin, why are we giving $600 million in federal
money when the damage is only $550 million?
MR. FITZWATER: That's the problem of giving out numbers
like that. First of all, they're just estimates, and there are
different categories of -- I mean, one is damage in terms of -- in
other words, I don't know how the calculation damage was given by the
city of Los Angeles. It may be buildings or whatever. Ours is on
insurance and loans and all kinds of things.
to be loaned Q or are you just saying that's the money that's
Are you really saying that all that money is going
available?
MD FITZWATER: It's available and there are estimates
Extended Page
1,1
MR. FITZWATER:
It's
available
any
that it could be called on to use.
0
The only point I'm making is you make it sound like
--
MR. FITZWATER: These are all soft numbers. Nobody
knows this for sure. They're all big money estimates, but nobody can
give you precise numbers.
But you can take $50 million or $100 million -- you
make it sound Q like the federal government is picking up the entire
cost of the damage.
#457-05/04
MORE
MAY-08-1992 11:06 FROM LOS ANGELES PRESS OFFICE TO
MARLIN
P.01
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
H
net
Ised
(LOS
Angeles,
California)
For Immediate Release
May 8,1992
EDRAD
duto
+
luizebnow Birth 82
and REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
to
TO THE COMMUNITY LEADERS OF LOS ANGELES
redued IVC do TOWOO
THE
Challenger Boys and Girls club (TIA)
LOS Angeles, California
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your
THE PRESIDENT: I would get off to a bad start
didn't say what I think everybody else is feeling, and I want to
just congratulate Larisse for that marvelous rendition of the
Star-Spangled Banner (Applause.)
And may I first thank all of you for being here
I
want today to single out two members of my Cabinet secretary Lou ed:
I think they were introduced at the very beginning, but
Sullivan of HHS and Secretary Jack Kemp from Housing and Urban
Development who are here with me. We ve really had a good tour
I want to salute Senator Seymour; Governor Wilson, who S been at
my side both of them as we ve made this tour through the
city Pat Saiki of SBA, the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration, came out early and she 16 on the ground and doing
a first-class job And of course I would like to also salute
Mayor- Tom Bradley who has been so extraordinarily helpful on this
visit (Applause
apails
And I'm not going to forget 16 the inspirational leader
of the challenger Lou Dantzler (Applause
sted
had Jon would also,say to the city officials that can
just imagine, given what you all have been through the headache
that this visit has caused. And I promise you we plan to leave
right on schedule so things can get back to normal But I want
to thank everybody involved in facilitating this visit, that came
I'm sure, at a very complicated time for the city The Governor
the Mayor the police, the LA community everyone has been
just Eantastic
And let me say I am truly heartened by the speed
with 103 which the millions of dollars of federal relief have reached
a
the city -- from FEMA grants to the small business loans to
urgent food aid And I salute David Kearns and others who came
here to coordinate not to dictate not to try to dominate, but
to coordinate with the city and local officials, And I'm very
pleased to see that there is smooth coordination everyone
pulling together on the federal, state, and local level
ed+ It was important I feel that as President come
here to Los Angeles. The community has been the site of a
terrible tragedy Not just for you, who were impacted the most,
but for our entire country. And everyone around the world feels
this trauma Everyone who looks to us as a, model YOU! of freedom and
justice
11
190
And that S why I want to say just a. few things about
my visit, to speak to you about what I ve seen in this city and
most importantly as I. said at that marvelous ecumenical church
service yesterday at Mt zion we are one people we are one
family we are one nation under God And SQ want to speak
about our course as a nation
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P.02
I can hardly imagine I try, but I can hardly
imagine the fear and the anger that people must feel to terrorize
one another and burn each other' property But I saw remarkable
signs of hope right next to the tragic signs of hatred. This
marvelous institution, this Boys and Girls Club stands unscarred,
facing a burned-out block. And its leader is this wonderful man
next to me, Lou Dantzler And he started it on the back of an
old pickup truck with a group of kids that wanted to get off the
street. And it's existence proves the power of our better
selves. And let's never forget it, and let's count our
blessings.
(Applause.
)
NOW let me personalize it a little bit and tell you
why clubs like this matter. A story about a little kid, Rudy
Campbell. I saw him on television He looked about eight years
old. His father was murdered a few years back and I didn' see
his mother. Rudy is raised by his 22-year-old sister who has
five kids of her own And he lives in south Central Think
about what he has already been through. NOW he says he fears
that things will only get "badder and badder and badder And it
breaks your heart, and our children deserve Better 190068 than that
(Applause.
talked a week ago about the law and the pursuit of
justice. And today I want to talk about what went wrong in L:A.
and the under lying causes of the root problems It can all be
debated, and it should be, but not to assign blame Casting
blame gets us absolutely nowhere Honest talk and principled
action can move us forward. And that S what we ve got to do for
Rudy; that's what we ve got to do for our children - these kids
right here.
This tragedy seemed to come suddenly, but think we
would all agree it's been many years in the making. I know it
will take time to put things right. I could have said "put
things right again If but that would miss a point I want to make:
Things weren' right before a week ago Wednesday Things aren't
right in too many cities across our country. And we must not
return to the status quo. Not here -- (applause) -- not here,
not in any city where the system perpetuates failure and hatred
and poverty and despair
ALO
Most Americans now recognize some unpleasant
realities Let me just spend a minute on those. For many years
we've tried many different programs All of them -- let' S
understand this -- had noble intentions To meet the need of
adequate housing or education or health care. Much of it went to
construct what has been known as "the safety net
a
compassionate. safety net to provide security and stability for
people in, need
Many other programs and policies aimed at stemming
the tide of urban violence and drugs and crime and social decay
And we have spent huge sums of money Some estimates are as high
as $3 trillion over 25 years. And even in the last decade
federal spending went up for these kinds of efforts and everything
from child care to welfare to health care has been the subject of
some commission or report of study
But where this path has taken us I think we would
all agree is not really where we wanted to go Put away the
studies and just look around. For anyone who cares about our
young people, it is painful that in 1960 the percentage of births
to unwed mothers was five percent and now it is 27 percent.
It's hard to read about a young black man dying when the odds are
almost one out of two that he was murdered. Kids used to carry
their lunches to school; and the parents that ve talked to know
that today some kids carry guns. m afraid some of you kids
you know that, too. Everyone knows that drug and alcohol abuse
are serious problems almost everywhere.
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In the wake of the A. riots, in the wake of a lost
generation of inner city lives, can, any one of us argue that we
have solved the problems of poverty and racism and crime? And
the answer clearly is no Some programs, ones like Head start or
Aid to the Elderly, have shown some time-tested, positive
results. All programs were well-intentioned, I understand that
very, very well Many simply have not worked
our welfare system does not get people off of
welfare} 1t keeps people trapped there. The statistics are
sobering. The reality is sobering. The SUR and substance is
this: the cities are in serious trouble and tgo many of our
citizens are in trouble And it doesn really have to be this
way.
Government has an absolute responsibility to solve
this problem, these problems talking about all levels of
government. And I've taken a hard look at what the government
can do and how it can help communities with concerns that really
matter - how people can own property, own their own home start
a business create jobs and ensure that people not government
-- make the big decisions that affect the health and the
education and the care of one own family
916
DW
Think of the way that the world looks right now to
the single mother on welfare. Government provides you just
enough cash for the bare necessities. Government tells you where
you can live, where your kids go to school And when you re
sick government tells you what kind of care you get and when
And if you find a job the government cuts the welfare benefits
And if you save, if you manage to put a little money away
maybe towards a home or to help your kid get through college
the government says, hey, welfare fraud. Every one of those
things happens with the system that we have in place right now
And then we wonder, why can't folks on welfare take control of
their lives? Where! there sense of responsibility?
SW
Well if we had set but to devise a system that
would perpetuate dependency a system that would strip away
dignity and personal responsibility, I quess we could hardly have
done better than the system that exists today. Every American
knows that it is time for a fresh approach a radical change in
the way we look at Ifare and the inner city economy
Every hour of meetings yesterday and they were
for me, very emotional, very moving confirmed why I believe in
the plan that we have proposed for urban America. I. kept hearing
words like ownership, independence, dignity, enterprise -- a lot
of time from people who have never had a shot at dignity or
enterprise or ownership And it reinforced my belief that we
must start with a set of principles and policies that foster
personal responsibility that refocus entitlement programs to
serve those who are most needy and Increase the effectiveness. of
government service through competition and true choice
I believe in keeping power closer to the people
using states as laboratories for innovation We cannot figure it
all out back In Washington, D. in some subcommittee or in the
White House. And I believe in policies that encourage
entrepreneurship increase investment create jobs
And these form the heart of the agenda for economic
opportunity that I want to mention here. Families can t thrive,
children can't learn, jobs can't flourish in a climate of fear,
however And so first is our responsibility to preserve the
domestic order And a civilized society cannot tackle any of the
really tough problems in the midst of chaos. And you know and I
know it S just that simple Violence and brutality destroy
order, destroy the rule of law. And violence must never be
rationalized. Violence must always be condemned BYC
BUODS
WST
SLW
TO?
900
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MAY-08-1992 11:10 FROM LOS ANGELES PRESS OFFICE TO
MARLIN
P.04
E -
4 -
nt
ons
to
grit
nI
ad
an
KSD
Tenni
Ro
We can reclaim our crime ravaged nei ghborhoods
through a new initiative that we call Weed and seed, And today
I'm announcing a $19-million Weed and seed operation for the city
of Los Angeles to weed out the drug dealers and career criminals
and then seed those neighborhoods with expanded educational
employment and social services 00 (Applause, with safepand
secure neighborhoods can spark an economic revival in urbano
American
as
ere
And VISA so 20 the Date second part of the agenda is to ask
Congress to take action on enterprise zones. (Applause.) with a
zero capital gains rate -- create these zones with a zero capital
gains rate for entrepreneurs and investors who locate businesses
and create jobs righ here in America's inner cities
(Applause
)
JL
0
DOB
aled
150
11
wed
And yes I recognize that at the same time we must
help states bring innovation to the welfare systems And at the
federal level we ve got to reform our own AFDC rules; stop
penalizing people who want to WOEK and save Applause These
are the people who are mustering the individual initiative to get
off welfare. And we've got to pledge ourselves to, at the
federal level, change the rules that keep them from doing just
that
Three safe drug-free schools are places where our
children can learn but that's not enough We ve got to
revolutionize our schools through community action, through
competition through innovation through choice principles at
the heart of the strategy that we call America 2000 We must
give children these kids these kids right here the same
opportunity as kids out in the suburbs (Applause rebsow
10
And the fourth point: we must promote new hope
through homeownership People want a real stake a real stake
in their community something of value that they can pass long
to their kids. And that's what this HOPE initiative does It
turns public housing tenants into homeowners
Now these are a just the highlight of an action
dos
emit
al
agenda to bring hope and opportunity back to our inner cities.
We have other ideas to try as well Many in this room have
innovative ideas they re trying right now
102
oved
ew
My first order of business upon my return to
Washington will be to build a bipartisan effort in support of 90
to
immediate action on this agenda And I know some will say, well
you've proposed all this before; and that true they re right.
And I'm proposing it again Because really we must try
something new We ve gat to try something new Appl ause
It
does not take a sócial scientist to know that we must think
differently. We ve tried the old ways of thinking. And now, as
Lincoln says "It is time to think anew used
overled
it
code
EB
And our approach is really a: radical break from the
policies of the past It S new yes, it new because it
never been tried before And for the sake of the peopl of South
Central, and the people in America' s inner cities everywhere, I
will work with the Congress to act now on this common-sense
agenda
I
3500
You been & through an awful lot You ve been
through an awful lot And when I saw the verdict -in the King
case my reaction was the same as yours I told the nation that
But I remain confident in our system of justice And when I saw
the violence and rage erupt in your streets my reaction was the
same as yours. We all knew we had to restore order And when
saw and read about the heroic acts of firefighters and police, or
the selfless acts of so many citizens, my reaction was one of
relief, one of hope for the future.
BROM
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MAY-08-1992 11:11 FROM LOS ANGELES PRESS OFFICE TO
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P.05
- a -
- 5 -
of
palyme
TWOY
has
wor
at
QU
or
This morning stopped by the Y= hospital Cedar to
see a young fireman who had been wan tonly shot in the head as he
was driving a fire truck to go out and put out fires that were
ravaging somebody 'sBr neighborhood maybe yours The man's
fighting for his life. And B think when we all go home we ought
to pray.for him. 517
Ted
THE
DE
ПОМ
Nosis
COI
In the very short time that I ve been out here
could sense that the real- anguish in South Central L Ands a
parent's concern about the kids -- neighbors' concerns about the
kids. And people are worried sick about the children All must
agree that Whatever we do must be about the
(Applause. r These kids are our future And our actions in the
wake of the tragedy sare for them not dust here in Los Angeles
This is showcase now because of what ve, been through but
it's
all
across
the
country
INO
sasq
spis!
6
залез
And so for these remarks I've mentioned what
government can do. And now let me talk just a little about what
society must do And, syes;; we have tried hard spent a lot of
money and haven solved the problems And some critice say that
we are a morally, spiritually and intel ectually bankrupt nation
I don: believe that for one singl minute (Applause
ПЕЭБ
TUO
And yes we have problems Me have tough problems
to solver But we remain the freest and the fairest and the most
just and the most decent country the face of the entire Earth
And we now I know that we have the drive and the gumption to
prevail over these problems we sface
exed
Tieds
exident
Tom Bradley, your Mayor, was among a group of mayors
who came tensee to me last January He and I may differ on how we
approach one federal program or another But I've repeated often
what he and others said to me that day. They said that the most
important problem facing our cities is-the disselution, the
decline of the American family, And they re absolutely right
He was right; a mayor from a tiny town in North Carolina, he was
)
right. The decline of the family is something we must be
concerned about: And history tells society cannot
succeed without some fundamental building blocks in place
The stategof ourenation is-the state Of sour
communities Andegood communities arecsafe and decent And the
young people are cared formand they're instilled with character
and values and good habits for lafe. Good communities have. good,
schools. And they provide opportunity and hope rooted in the
dignity of:work and reward foreachieyement
And that sewhy guarenteeing. hopeful future for the
children offour cities is: about ar lot more than rebuilding
burned-out:buildings. It's about the love right here under this
roof It's about building apnew American- community It about
rebuilding bonds between individuals and among ethnic groups and
among races. And we must not let our diversity destroy us It
is central you see; central togour-strength-as a nation.
tebbad
qms0
vous
ours ability to live,and work together has really
made America the inspiration to the entire world (Applause.)
Across thi country, tens of thousands of groups hundreds of
thousands of individuals who have never been involved before who
will never be paid one singl nicked for their efforts must
become partners in solving our most serious social problems
The people right here in this room. know exactly what
I'm talking about An officer in the LAPD who! B a board chairman
right heret, I believe, am this organization, giving of his time
- he knows what I'm\ talking about Government alone cannot
create the scale and energy needed to transform the lives of the
people in need:
And I look around this auditorium and I am preaching
to the choir, because you're theyones that have your sleeves
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MAY-08-1992 11:12 FROM LOS ANGELES PRESS OFFICE TO
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P.06
- 6 -
- 5 -
rolled up in your churches and in your communities, trying to
help the other guy. In my conversations with the leaders of
L.A Cg many communities heard over and lover Cigain that L.A.
has many of the answers ithin itself (Applause
erit
PSW
I see our Triend, Bill MITTIKEN here I'ver
halfway across the country There are four of his in
school programs, helping children learn here, And many members of
of a group called 100 Black Men, an inspirational group
(applause They mentor for those not famil with it, they
mentor to the kids the boys in South central and JSMJ 92758 bluoo
each exeduted abid 3113 Juode TIPONOO
taum
NOW if instead or's this of four there 25
Cities in School programs, and instea USE CIOGY 10 000 b1 ack
working with boys, and hgt on With the chundred speople
groups that work with the kids, there is as that what
happened last week wouldn't t have been assuadd ward only
makes sense that a large part of our challenge is to dramatically
expand in community after community the scale of what we already
know works benotines exister seeds 02 50A
Jsnw
Juode
5
am
boa
of
new
INSTITUTION
The phrase that verrepeated. 10th and/perhaps more
than any ther is worth repeating From now Americansany
definition of a successful life must include serving lothers 976
(Applause.) And when we look festoring a idecent sand hopefubb
future for our children I mean this about every community.
First every group and institution in America schools,
businesses, churches certainly must part. Life muster of
praise what works and share What works.com 36d word TS OP 5.06 dont
--
And secondly, all readers leaders se musts
mobilize and inspire their people to take action.
5
TWOY
ICT
And third community centers must Inkethose that onw
care with those that are crying out for Keppy
os
avenue
bas
ed
And fourth with respect, themedia neéds tosshow
from time'to time what' working, needsmto cover whate Workings
(Applause.
POTT
A
one
m
trip.)
And that way would-help us share that would really
help us share and repeat these #uccessessmany times over
And finally this one perhaps dittTe technical
-- but we ve not to change our liability laws chat frighten
people away from helping others We dught to care foreeach othery
more and sue each other less. (Applause.) ded but
yorld
But there's something else There's somethingvelsein
that society must cultivate that government cannot possibly
provide. something We can t legislate something weAcan't
establish by government order And TTAS talking about the moralido
sense that must guide us all The simplest duessd the
simplest way to put it talkings about knowing ight from:
wrong and then trying to do what Fight:
deewded
TWO
briA
29557
EXTORE
Let me come back again to the little/boy- I Spoker
about earlier -- Rudy Campbell. Remember -- "badder, badder,
badder. There's a lesson he learned that survived:the horror
and the hate And in the midst of all the chaos, siti the midst of
so much that S gone wrong he knows what lights whene he: was
asked about the violence, here's what The said: virthey should know
what's right and wrong Because when? X was four that' S1 what II
learned.
22
*ROM
onivice
T1
standing
secred
Now that has got to give us hopeneq May God bless
the person who cared enough to teach that ittle yuy iright From: T
wrong. (Applause. ) But up to and guarantee. thatrald the
millions of kids like him drow up the Better Amer ital: award
of
bebeen
уржеле
bits
elsoa
And I believe we are right about familyhesNeire Igned
right about freedom and free enterprise. And we re right with
Bruoxe
Hool
I
DCA
ever MORE caused ed:
MAY-08-1992 11:13 FROM LOS ANGELES PRESS OFFICE TO
MARLIN P.07
- 7 -
respect to the clergymen here and the church men and church women
here. We are right about faith. And most of all, we are right
about America's future.
You see, I fervently believe that we have the
strength and the spirit in our government. You can see it here
today -- in our communities and in ourselves to transform America
into the nation that we have dreamed of for generations.
May God bless each and every one of you in your
work. And thank you very, very much.
END
10:48 A.M. PDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 9, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN RADIO ADDRESS
REPORTING ON HIS TRIP TO LOS ANGELES
The Oval Office
9:03 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Less than 24 hours ago, I returned from
Los Angeles. And today I'd like to use this opportunity to report in
on what I saw and what I heard.
By now, each one of us has seen images of hate and
horror we won't soon forget. But what I saw during my time in Los
Angeles -- even in the hardest-hit parts of South Central L.A. --
should give us all cause for hope.
Everywhere, the people I talked with told me about the
acts of individual heroism, about the extraordinary courage of
ordinary people. Some braved the gangs of looters to form "bucket
brigades" to put out fires when the fire trucks couldn't get through.
Some stood against the angry mobs, reached across the barrier of
color, to save lives. Many of these aren't the stories you'll see on
the first two minutes of the nightly news, but they are the stories
that tell us the power of simple human decency.
I went to L.A. to meet with community leaders, to get
firsthand information as to how best the federal government could
speed the recovery. Part of it is to provide, as we're doing now,
federal funds to help shop owners get their businesses open again,
funds to help the people who lost jobs when the places they worked
were burned out. But beyond this immediate emergency assistance, I
set out a broader agenda, a means of bringing hope and opportunity to
our inner cities.
First, we've got to preserve order, keep the peace --
because families can't thrive, children can't learn, jobs can't
flourish in a climate of fear.
Second, we must spark an economic revival in urban
America. And that means establishing enterprise zones in our cities
and reform of our welfare system to help people with individual
initiative work and save.
And third, we've got to revolutionize American
education. That's why we've built our America 2000 strategy around
innovations like choice, competition and community action. Children
in our inner cities deserve the same opportunities that kids in our
suburbs have.
And four, we must promote new hope through home
ownership. And that's the aim behind my HOPE initiative -- to give
the least-advantaged among us a stake in their neighborhood by
turning public housing tenants into homeowners.
At every turn during my time in Los Angeles, I heard
people talking about principles that guide these initiatives:
MORE
- 2 -
personal responsibility, opportunity, ownership, independence
dignity.
I can already hear some of the critics out there. And
they'll say, well, you've proposed all this before. That's true
They're right. But now it's time to act on these proposals, time to
try something new. My first order of business now that I am back
Washington is to build a bipartisan effort in support of immediate
action on this agenda.
So far I have spoken about what government can do. Now
let me talk about what society must do -- because government alone
cannot create the scale and energy needed to transform the lives of
people in need. And all over America, people have already found the
answers for themselves. And they're taking action to make things
better.
You can find them everywhere -- even in South Central
L.A. I met a man there named Lou Dantzler, a bear of a man who runs
the Challengers Boys and Girls Club. He started it out in the back
of an old pickup truck with a group of kids who wanted to get off the
streets. And today, across from a burned-out block in South Central
L.A., the Boys and Girls Club stands unscarred. No, it wasn't a
miracle that the building was left standing. The real miracle is
what goes on inside. It's a place kids can go to get the concern and
the love they need -- a place where people care.
That's why guaranteeing a hopeful future for the
children of our cities is about a lot more than rebuilding burned-
out buildings. It's about building a new American community.
This I know: We have the strength and spirit in our
government, in our communities, and in ourselves to transform America
into the nation we have dreamed of for generations.
Thank you for listening. And may God bless the United
States of America.
END
9:08 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE: 5/6/92
TO: Carol
FROM: Office of National Service Ellew dender Ellen
Room 100, OEOB, x6266
I hope this is helpful.
I noted on the puss
releases what sone of these
L,4. area daily points 8 light
are doing in response to the
riots.
Thank you.
:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 14, 1989
THE DAILY "POINT OF LIGHT"
The President today named Antonio Valle, Jr. of La Habra,
California as his seventeenth daily "Point of Light. " Valle, a
special education teacher at Sonora High School in La Habra,
volunteers his time to help the people of his community.
From co-founding a program to deter elementary school students
from getting involved in gangs and drugs, to taking food to
elderly homebound residents, Mr. Valle is always ready to help
those in need. He has shown his dedication to community service
through his 14 year endeavor to keep his community from sliding
into decline.
The President extends his deepest appreciation to Anthonio Valle
for his outstanding work with the young people of his community.
His devotion and commitment to his neighbors are an inspiration
to us all.
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucy Carney (202) 456-6266
Currently : Dealing w/ problems in ha Habra only- -
very busy with that- has had some
unrest.
31
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 2, 1990
THE DAILY "POINT OF LIGHT"
The President today named the Senior Health and Peer Counseling
Center, of Santa Monica, California as his thirty-first daily
"Point of Light." This program provides health screening and
counseling services to the elderly of Santa Monica.
The five older Americans who founded this program in 1976 saw a
need to help the elderly in their community. The Senior Health and
Peer Counseling Center provides free or low-cost health screening
to Santa Monica's senior citizens. It also serves as a placement
facility where medical, nursing, and pharmacy students can gain
valuable experience helping the elderly.
In addition, volunteers are trained by the center to provide peer
counseling, in English or Spanish, to seniors who need help - such
as the handicapped and mentally ill, and those who just need a
friend. Special attention is given to seniors who have difficulty
living alone or are in danger of becoming homeless.
The President praises the Senior Health and Peer Counseling Center.
Their work has enhanced the quality of life for hundreds of senior
citizens in Santa Monica.
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Galletta (202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 30, 1990
The President today named Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women
of Los Angeles, California as the one hundred and fourth "Daily
Point of Light." This center, a program of Catholic Charities of
the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, is dedicated to the support of
homeless women.
The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women serves women who are
homeless, in need of temporary shelter, and emotionally and
physically battered. The center is composed of two facilities,
the Languille House and the Hawkes Residence.
The Languille House, named after a co-founder, opened in 1984 as
an emergency shelter and drop-in center to meet homeless women's
most urgent needs. The house accommodates 27 women, offering
counseling, job or school placement assistance, and help in
obtaining a permanent residence.
In 1987, the center expanded by opening opened a second facility,
the Hawkes Residence. This facility provides transitional low-
cost housing for women who are employed or attending school and
in need of additional time to stabilize their lives before
returning to the mainstream of society.
The President applauds the volunteers and staff of the Good
Shepherd Center for Homeless Women for their compassion and care
for homeless women. They embody the President's conviction that,
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must
include serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Robert Marbut
(202) 456-6266
Currently:
Sent out ateam of volenteers an antreachteam,
to assist people m hestreets who were hunt from the
riots either physically or enationally.
helping to Clean-up
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 1990
The President today named the residents of Oakwood, a subdivision
of Venice, California, as the one hundred forty-eighth "Daily
Point of Light." The concerned citizens of the crime-plagued
Oakwood neighborhood have worked diligently to make their
racially diverse neighborhood a safer place in which to live.
The efforts of Oakwood citizens working closely with the members
of the Los Angeles Police Department have resulted in a decrease
in the crime rate by 44 percent.
Residents of Oakwood have worked to combat the drugs and crime
which have oppressed their lives for too long. They have assumed
responsibility for solving problems in their own neighborhood.
The "Town Watch" program has organized a group of Oakwood
citizens to work closely with the Los Angeles Police Department
to report suspicious people. The C.A.R.S. (Community Against
Rock Sales) Program also works closely with the Los Angeles
Police Department, by reporting unfamiliar and suspicious cars
parked or driving through the neighborhood. The Oakwood
Beautification Committee organized a candlelight vigil to elicit
support for efforts to combat drugs and crime. The "Oakwood
Neighborhood Watch" program encourages local youth to continue
their education and stay off drugs. In addition to these groups,
the Venice Action Committee, the Venice Town Council, and the
Venice Homeowners and Tenants Association have helped the Oakwood
community address their social ills.
The President salutes the residents of Oakwood as the one hundred
forty-eighth "Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of Light
recognition is intended to call every individual, group, and
organization in America to claim society's problems as their own
by taking direct and consequential action; to identify, enlarge,
and multiply successful initiatives, like those of the residents
of Oakwood; and to discover, encourage, and develop new leaders
in community service, reflecting the President's conviction that,
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must
include serving others."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Robert Marbut
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL
June 22, 1990
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 1990
The President today named the First African Methodist Episcopal
Church, of Los Angeles, California, as the one hundred seventy-
seventh "Daily Point of Light." The First African Methodist
Episcopal (First AME) Church empowers individuals with the faith
and knowledge needed to better their lives.
Members of First AME move their faith beyond the church, raising
the spirit and quality of the lives of others. of the 5700
members of First AME, more than 75% have joined hands in an
effort to encourage young people to stay away from drugs and
crime. With the help of the 25 community service programs, the
crime rate has dropped significantly in the neighborhood
surrounding the church.
The Substance Abuse Program counsels those with addictions,
refers them to the proper professionals, assists them in seeking
employment after treatment, and offers emotional support. The
"Taking Our Community Back" program places church members on the
streets during the peak hours of drug trafficking, whereby those
in need can learn about church programs and receive words of
encouragement. The homeless program provides meals, health
screening, tutoring, counseling, blankets, and clothing.
The Youth Lock-In Program encourages living a life of positive
values. The youth are literally locked in the church for 24
hours with member volunteers, during which the young people
listen to inspirational speeches, seminars, videos, encounter
groups, and message plays.
The President salutes the First African Methodist Episcopal
Church, of Los Angeles, California, as the one hundred seventy-
seventh "Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of Light recognition
is intended to call every individual, group, and organization in
America to claim society's problems as their own by taking direct
and consequential action; to identify, enlarge, and multiply
successful initiatives, like First AME; and to discover,
encourage, and develop new leaders in community service,
reflecting the President's conviction that, "From now on' in
America, any definition of a successful life must include serving
others.
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Robert Marbut
(202) 456-6266
Currently: The church has hested
provide food, Clothing, => shilter to those in need
meetings and is mobilinging
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 1990
The President today named William and Ethel Tibbetts, of El
Monte, California, as the two hundred and eighth "Daily Point of
Light." The Tibbetts provide friendship and care for those who
are disabled.
Since 1986, William and Ethel Tibbetts have volunteered for the
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Network,
providing transportation for disabled veterans to medical
appointments. The Tibbetts go above and beyond their specific
duties, developing lasting relationships with the veterans,
visiting them in their homes or calling them to ensure they
receive the assistance they need. They spend at least 9 hours a
day participating in this effort.
The President salutes William and Ethel Tibbetts as the two
hundred and eighth "Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of Light
recognition is intended to call every individual, group, and
organization in America to claim society's problems as their own
by taking direct and consequential action; to identify, enlarge,
and multiply successful initiatives, like the efforts of the
Tibbetts; and to discover, encourage, and develop new leaders in
community service, reflecting the President's conviction that,
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must
include serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 1990
The President today named Orange County Rescue Mission, of Santa
Ana, California, as the two hundred eleventh "Daily Point of
Light.' The Orange County Rescue Mission sheds a light at the
end of a dark tunnel for those who are homeless.
Founded in 1963, Orange County Rescue Mission, composed of two
shelters and a transitional home, helps homeless people better
their lives. A variety of programs are offered which provide
those in need with food, shelter, and counseling. More than 25
volunteers help in this effort.
The volunteers encourage homeless individuals to visit the rescue
mission. Those who seek help are placed in a transitional home,
where volunteers assist them in obtaining employment. The rescue
mission also operates two shelters, one for women and their
children and the other for men. Each facility provides food,
clothing, and spiritual counseling.
The President salutes Orange County Rescue Mission as the two
hundred eleventh "Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of Light
recognition is intended to call every individual, group, and
organization in America to claim society's problems as their own
by taking direct and consequential action; to identify, enlarge,
and multiply successful initiatives, like Orange County Rescue
Mission; and to discover, encourage, and develop new leaders in
community service, reflecting the President's conviction that,
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must
include serving others."
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL
SATURDAY, July 21, 1990
July 20, 1990
The President today named Alternatives to Domestic Violence, of
Riverside, California, as the two hundred and first "Daily Point
of Light." Alternatives to Domestic Violence offers women who
have fear. suffered from domestic violence an escape from lives of
Founded in 1977 by concerned citizens, Alternatives to Domestic
Violence provides support services to victims of domestic
violence. By assisting in the organization's programs and
helping increase public awareness, more than 100 volunteers play
a critical role.
Volunteers who assist with the 24-hour Crisis Line provide
counseling, information, referral, and emotional support to those
who call in need of assistance. Those who work with the Horizon
House Shelter comfort women who have sought refuge from domestic
abuse and their children. The Children's program counsels the
children who temporarily live at Horizon House. The volunteers
work with the children, helping them cope emotionally with the
violence they have experienced. In addition, the volunteers
advice and providing support.
accompany the women throughout the judicial process, offering
The President salutes Alternatives to Domestic Violence as the
two hundred and first "Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of
Light recognition is intended to call every individual, group,
and organization in America to claim society's problems as their
own by taking direct and consequential action; to identify,
enlarge, and multiply successful initiatives, like Alternatives
to Domestic Violence; and to discover, encourage, and develop new
leaders in community service, reflecting the President's
conviction that, "From now on in America, any definition of a
successful life must include serving others."
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Robert Marbut
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 1990
The President today named Linda Warsaw, of San Bernardino,
California, as the 250th "Daily Point of Light. " Ms. Warsaw, 17,
helps her peers find a way to care for others their own age.
In 1985, when Ms. Warsaw was 12 years old, she founded "Kids
Against Crime." Ms. Warsaw learned of the many crimes committed
against children through her after-school volunteer work with the
Victim Witness Assistance Program of the San Bernardino County
District Attorney's Office. While watching court cases involving
abuse, kidnapping, and molestation, she realized the need to
teach children how to protect themselves.
Kids Against Crime teaches children not only how to prevent a
crime, but also what to do in case crime does occur. Volunteers
of Kids Against Crime operate the "Peers Support and Referral"
hotline. Volunteers must be 12-19 years old and willing to
commit at least 3 hours a week to the program. After completing
a 24 hour training program which includes subjects such as child
abuse, sexual abuse, AIDS, substance abuse, pregnancy, suicide,
and runaways, the volunteers answer calls from their peers who
are in need of advice and support. Adult supervisors serve two
shifts per month, assisting the volunteers with answering calls.
More than 4,000 members, mostly people under the age of 18,
support the efforts of Kids Against Crime.
The President salutes Linda Warsaw as the 250th "Daily Point of
Light." Daily Point of Light recognition is intended to call
every individual, group, and organization in America to claim
society's problems as their own by taking direct and
consequential action; to identify, enlarge, and multiply
successful initiatives, like the efforts of Ms. Warsaw; and to
discover, encourage, and develop new leaders in community
service, reflecting the President's conviction that, "From now on
in America, any definition of a successful life must include
serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 1990
The President today named the volunteers of The Eli Home, Inc.,
of Anaheim, California, as the 338th "Daily Point of Light." The
volunteers of The Eli Home are helping end the cycle of child
abuse.
Founded in 1982 in response to the growing number of child abuse
cases reported in Orange County, The Eli Home provides emergency
shelter for abused children and their mothers. The children and
mothers live at The Eli Home for a 45-day period, during which
they attend counseling sessions. The mothers attend workshops
where they learn new parenting skills. In addition to the 45-
day shelter program, three extension homes are maintained. These
facilities are available to mothers and children who have
completed the 45-day program and need housing and additional
counseling.
The volunteers, many of whom are psychologists, social workers,
and counselors, form positive friendships for the children and
their mothers. They lead field trips for the children and
support groups for the mothers. They also operate two thrift
shops, using the proceeds to purchase food, clothing, and other
supplies for the residents of The Eli Home. Other volunteers
provide 24-hour supervision of the home. During 1989, The Eli
Home served over 900 individuals.
The President salutes the volunteers of The Eli Home as the 338th
"Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of Light recognition is
intended to call every individual, group, and organization in
America to claim society's problems as their own by taking direct
and consequential action; to identify, enlarge, and multiply
successful initiatives, like the efforts of the volunteers of The
Eli Home; and to discover, encourage, and develop new leaders in
community service, reflecting the President's conviction that,
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must
include serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 1991
The President today named the volunteers of TreePeople, of Beverly
Hills, California, as the 440th "Daily Point of Light" in honor of
National Arbor Day. The volunteers of TreePeople inspire others
to plant trees to fortify the environment, ensuring a green lush
landscape for future generations to enjoy.
Founded in 1973 by Andy and Katie Lipkis, TreePeople has encouraged
community members to play a positive role in the future of the
environment. Based in Coldwater Canyon Park, TreePeople serves as
an outside classroom for community members, where they can obtain
information on forestry issues and tree planting, while personally
visualizing the benefits of trees for their own community.
Through the Environmental Leadership Program, volunteers lead
children through the landscape surrounding TreePeople's center.
Children are encouraged to see and feel their way through the
woods, helping them develop a closer relationship with the
environment. The volunteers also encourage the children to become
leaders in the effort to improve the environment by offering them
fun ideas for recycling at home and instructions on caring for
trees.
Through the Citizen Forester Program, community members learn how
to coordinate tree planting projects in their neighborhood. They
learn how to select a site and species, organize a community,
obtain permits and funding, and encourage community support.
TreePeople distributes trees to those coordinating a tree planting
effort and they offer fruit-producing trees to low-income
communities. With the support of TreePeople, others communities
throughout the nation have initiated tree planting efforts.
The President salutes the volunteers of TreePeople as the 440th
"Daily Point of Light." Daily Point of Light recognition is
intended to call every individual, group, and organization in
America to claim society's problems as their own by taking direct
and consequential action; to identify, enlarge, and multiply
successful initiatives, like the efforts of the volunteers of
TreePeople; and to discover, encourage, and develop new leaders in
community service, reflecting the President's conviction that,
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must
include serving others."
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
Currently: Cleaning up passessing damage.
may 16th willbe atree planting day m southcentral
L.A. bluntees cometrom the community occurs. where danting
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 1991
The President today named John Post, of Hermosa Beach, California,
as the 509th "Daily Point of Light" for the nation. Four years
ago, Mr. Post, 29, founded "Club Calypso," a summer day camp for
the young residents of Harbor Hills, a local housing project.
Mr. Post grew up a 1/2 mile from Harbor Hills and attended a church
near the project. After a friend did some volunteer work at a
housing project, Mr. Post realized the need for supporting
residents of projects in his own community. In the summer of 1987,
he founded "Club Calypso." The program operates from 9:00 a.m.
through 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for seven weeks. Almost
60 young people, ages 6 to 14, wait for the volunteers each morning
outside the housing project, sometimes showing up an hour early
because of excitement to start the day. Mr. Post and 25 other
young adults and college students serve as friends and mentors to
the youngsters. The volunteers lead baseball and softball games,
teach arts and crafts, and chaperone campouts and field trips.
Mr. Post has expanded his efforts to include a tutoring program
during the school year, a Big Brother/Big Sister program, and a
food distribution effort. Almost 20 youngsters voluntarily attend
tutoring sessions each Tuesday, where volunteers help them
understand and complete school assignments. Although all the
volunteers become friends to the youngsters, fourteen volunteers
are matched with a young person to offer them an individualized
long-term relationship. Many volunteers have befriended the
parents of the young people, encouraging them to become more
involved in their children's lives.
The President salutes John Post as the 509th "Daily Point of
Light." Daily Point of Light recognition is intended to call every
individual, group, and organization in America to claim society's
problems as their own by taking direct and consequential action;
to identify, enlarge, and multiply successful initiatives, like the
efforts of Mr. Post; and to discover, encourage, and develop new
leaders in community service, reflecting the President's conviction
that, "From now on in America, any definition of a successful life
must include serving others.
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 1991
The President today named Liliana Narvaez, of Los Angeles,
California, as the 569th Daily Point of Light for the Nation.
Ms. Narvaez, 18, encourages other young people to become active
members of their community.
Ms. Narvaez joined the community service club at her high school
during her sophomore year. As her service project, she chose to
establish a similar community service club at a local elementary
school. After consulting her younger brother, who was attending
5th grade at the time, Ms. Narvaez selected his elementary school
as the site. She spoke with the principal of the school to get
permission to start a program and to gather helpful information
and recommendations. She then met with students to determine the
amount of interest in this project. She discussed with them
problems that today's youth face, such as gangs, drug abuse, and
peer pressure, and they offered her solutions to these problems
she had never considered.
Through the community service club at the elementary school, Ms.
Narvaez coordinated graffiti removal efforts, visits to
retirement homes, community cleanups, and scheduled speakers to
talk about the dangers of drug abuse. She encourages the younger
people to play an instrumental role in developing new community
service projects, through which they develop an interest in the
well-being of the community.
Currently, Ms. Narvaez is a freshman at the University of
Redlands, where she plans to continue her commitment to the
betterment of her community.
The President salutes Liliana Narvaez for her community efforts
and for demonstrating his belief that, "From now on in America,
any definition of a successful life must include serving others." "
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Jill Chodorov
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
January 31, 1992
UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, 1992
The President today recognized the volunteers of the 24 Hour
Crisis Response Team of Irvine, California, as the 683rd Daily
Point of Light for the Nation. The 45 men and women of the
intervention team help to shoulder the emotional burden of crime
victims, survivors, and their families.
Founded in 1981, the 24 Hour Crisis Response Team, a component of
CSP (Community Service Programs, Inc.) Victim/Witness Assistance
Program, mobilizes a core group of highly trained volunteers who
commit at least six months of service to the Law Enforcement
Assistance Program and the Sexual Assault Victim Services/
Prevention Program where they respond to crises due to crimes and
trauma deaths. Team members work a minimum of two 15-hour shifts
per month in the office, answering crisis calls and dispatching
volunteers. All team members remain on call 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, to counsel victims of crime. In some
instances, the volunteer is the first point of contact for these
individuals. Consequently, some bilingual volunteers are
recruited to bridge the language and cultural barriers that can
separate community residents.
Before assignment to active duty, volunteers receive 60 hours of
extensive training in matters such as law enforcement and court
procedures, crisis intervention, rape trauma, resource referrals,
child therapy, and numerous other fields. Some team members are
motivated to volunteer because they themselves have been victims
of crimes.
Volunteers accompany victims to the hospital for medical
examinations, provide referrals, and ease the pain and confusion
of traumatic situations. Community groups, schools, and police
departments throughout Orange County have relied on and
benefitted from the skills, talents, and professionalism of these
committed and compassionate individuals.
The President salutes the volunteers of the 24 Hour Crisis
Response Team for exemplifying his belief that, "From now on in
America, any definition of a successful life must include serving
others.'
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Miah Homstad
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 1992
The President today recognized Alice Harris of Los Angeles as the
703rd Daily Point of Light for the Nation. For more than thirty
years, this mother of nine children has worked to provide a decent,
drug free and safe place to live for her neighbors.
Known as "Sweet Alice" for her remarkable capacity to befriend all
who come her way, Ms. Harris founded Parents of Watts (P.O.W.) more
than 25 years ago to address a variety of unmet needs in the Watts-
Willowbrook area of Los Angeles. Today, as Director of the
organization, she oversees fifteen programs, ranging from job
training to language instruction. P.O.W. employs six paid staff
members along with four full-time and twenty-five part-time
volunteers.
Primarily aimed at young people, Parents of Watts also serves those
who are homeless, unemployed, or addicted to drugs. Convinced that
everyone has a gift to give, Ms. Harris requires drug addicts and
homeless individuals who are sheltered by P.O.W. to help with
laundry, cleaning, gardening, and other tasks. She believes that,
by fulfilling these responsibilities, those who receive her help
will learn to value themselves.
Having been a single teenage mother herself, "Sweet Alice" is
especially concerned for the well being of girls and young women
with children, counseling them and leading them on frequent trips
outside their neighborhood. She often links pregnant teenagers
with community organizations that "adopt" them and pay their
expenses through childbirth. Ms. Harris also works directly with
gang members, mediating their disputes and encouraging them to
return to school. Young people who participate in P.O.W. programs
find in her a lifelong adviser and mentor. Most eventually attend
college.
As founder of the Black and Brown Committee, Ms. Harris has played
a critical role in reducing interracial tensions and violence in
her area. She has fostered greater communication and interaction
between black and Hispanic residents of the neighborhood and, at
P.O.W., serves those in need regardless of their ethnic background.
The President salutes Alice Harris for exemplifying his belief
that, "From now on in America, any definition of a successful life
must include serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracey Taylor or Miah Homstad
(202) 456-6266
Currently: mobilined young people she works with to cleanup.
P.O. W. is putting special emphasis on meeting the
needs of local mothers w/ misant children.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
March 18, 1992
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The President today recognized the volunteers of the R.M. Pyles
Boys Camp of Valencia, California, as the 722nd Daily Point and of
Light for the Nation. The camp is committed to children to
youth developing good character and values, challenging "boys to
become men" by participating in positive outdoors activities.
For 42 years, the Pyles Boys Camp has sponsored over 18,000 low-
income, disadvantaged boys, aged 12 to 16 years, motivating them
to reject drug and gang activities and to become productive
citizens. The program serves youth from southern California,
particularly from Kern, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. In
addition to three permanent staff members, the camp is run by
over 500 volunteers who donated 15,000 hours of volunteer service
in 1991.
The Pyles Boys Camp is open every summer for six two-week
sessions. In each session, a group of 80 boys learns the
importance of team work, discipline, and self-esteem. The boys
leave the camp with goals to better themselves and a strong sense
of pride and accomplishment.
In the months following the camp, reunions are held for campers,
permitting them to renew friendships and make new acquaintances. and
These gatherings reinforce lessons learned during the summer
enable counselors to keep in contact with the boys.
Communication between counselors and participants continues year-
round through personal home visits and phone calls, especially
with boys who are having trouble.
One of the camp's goals is to promote leadership skills in the
boys. Those who show leadership potential are invited to become
counselors for future camp sessions. Successful counselors are
eligible for scholarships to colleges or trade schools. Last
year, 26 boys received $42,000 in scholarships from Pyles Boys
Camp sponsors.
The President salutes the volunteers of the R.M. Pyles Boys Camp
for exemplifying his belief that, "From now on in America, any
definition of a successful life must include serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Miah Homstad
(202) 456-6266
The Campuill host 200 young boys from the
affected areas 8L,A. over memorial Dayweebend.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 1992
The President today recognized Doris Tate of Rancho Palos Verdes,
California, as the 738th Daily Point of Light for the Nation.
Since the brutal murder of her daughter Sharon by the Manson
family, Mrs. Tate, 68, has devoted her life to supporting victims
of violent crime and their loved ones. In 1985, seeing the need
for positive action on behalf of both criminals and victims, she
established the Coalition on Victim's Equal Rights (C.O.V.E.R.),
the first and now the largest group of its kind in California.
Using her own grief as motivation, Mrs. Tate works to change the
lives of the criminals. As an advisor to the California
Department of Corrections she has pioneered the Victim Offender
Reconciliation Group, a pilot project which enables victims to
confront their assailants and to share their pain with the
offenders. As she explains, "If we can prevent even one family
from suffering the trauma of a murder it will be worth it."
Mrs. Tate has been praised widely by her colleagues for
addressing the root causes of crime and for her efforts to reform
the lives of criminals. She is credited with bridging the gap
between victims' services and criminal corrections programs.
The President salutes Doris Tate for exemplifying his belief
that, "From now on in America, any definition of a successful
life must include serving others."
# # #
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey Taylor or Miah Homstad
(202) 456-6266
Cecil
1 of 2
L. A. TIMES 05/03/92
the have-nots. Imagine a President say-
ing: Just treat them with benign neglect
Murray
as one treats a recalcitrant puppy, one
that you don't want to be around. And
another saying, "Give it to the haves, and
it'll trickle down to the have-nots"? What
an absurd philosophy. And it could only
be endorsed and condoned in a racist
A Voice of Reason
atmosphere, because racism blinds peo-
ple. It did it in South Africa. It did it in the
U.S. South. It did in south Los Angeles.
in a Time of Troubles
Just blindness.
Q: It's hard to comprehend what it means
21/120/122/194
to be a 17-year-old living a block from your
BY
ROBERT
SCHEER
church. What are the prospects? What are
the conditions?
A: Isn't that the truth: Where do I go at
n the first night of the riot, a building was burning a half-block away
17, angry, alienated, too little space at
from Pastor Cecil L. (Chip) Murray's First AME Church, home of Los
home, little regularity, hypocrisy in the
Angeles' oldest black congregation. The fire, he recalls, "was burning
country, 60% unemployment rate, the
like Dante's inferno" threatening the 5,000 parishioners and community
chief cause of death in my age range is
leaders gathered in response to Murray's call for peace and justice.
homicide, the second-leading cause is
"We felt utterly helpless standing there, those 5,000 people at the
suicide. And so they'll tell you: "Might as
church meeting," the 62-year-old pastor said, his booming baritone
well die, die of something. Gotta die some
reduced to a sad whisper. "Soon the palm branches and the fronds
time-might as well go out young, make a
would catch; it would leap across the street. We would be consumed."
beautiful corpse," All of that-which is
Murray, 62, an ex-combat pilot and Claremont Ph.D., who has led his
just nihilism. It's death. And we can do
congregation for 15 years, does not easily accommodate the sense of feeling
better than that. If we despise our young,
helpless. When told the firemen would only come if guaranteed protection, he
we will not survive.
organized a group of more than 100 men to stand between them and the
rock-throwing rioters for over three hours. There was no blood shed.
Q: The way it's been reported in the
All in a night's work for someone who believes, "The church exists to set the
media it's made to seem that only a few bad
moral climate and moral program" for the community. But those are not the
apples, only a few punks, gang members.
words of some commercialized and ever-safe television preacher. Murray has a
But there seems to be a much wider range
long history in the trenches of his mid-City community, fighting to protect and
of rage out there.
educate a flock that extends far beyond his 7,500 parishioners. Some of them are
famous-like Arsenio Hall, who, during the riots, had Murray close his show
A: And I believe it's universal. We saw
with a prayer for tolerance. But many of his followers are poor. These people
it in Beijing. We saw it at the Berlin Wall.
are his main concern because, he explains, "It really takes an arrogant black
We saw it in South African apartheid. We
see it in the United States. Nobody, in the
person to fail to see that "There, but for the grace of God, go
Murray is no pie-in-the-sky ameliorator of his people's discontents. His
late 1990s, is going to predominate over
capacity for outrage over the death blows of racism are never muted; they have
anybody else on a system of inequity. If
proved to be ever channeled and thoughtful. The night the jury in Simi Valley
the haves do not make room for the
debated their verdict in the Rodney G. King case, Murray, in a terribly prescient
have-nots, then nobody will have. No one
sermon, warned "Be cool
Even in anger be cool. And if you're gonna burn
is going to be satisfied being spat upon or
something down, don't burn down the house of the victims, brother! Burn down
despised. However you do it: economical-
the Legislature! Burn down the courtroom. Burn it down by voting, brother!"
ly, emotionally, morally, deprivation of
His words did not still the night following the verdict. And while he
history, deprivation of culture, flaunting
understood the rage boiling up-he did not condone it: "Under no circumstances
yourself above someone else. Nobody's
will we pretend that the looting, the burning, the arson are excusable. They are
taking that any more; that day died.
totally inexcusable. And in the same breath that we say that, we must say this
miscegenation of justice in the court system in Simi Valley was injurious to us
Q: How do you answer those people who
all. It is inexcusable. And the system that condones it is inexcusable. So while
say, "Well, they had the opportunities, why
we're handing out blame, guilt and default, let's make sure we are an
didn't they use them; we just coddle them
equal-opportunity employer. The blame belongs to more than just the people
with welfare?'
burning." It is sad that, only after nights of death and destruction, men of power
A: Lincoln said, "I feel sorry for the
might finally pay serious attention to Murray's message and to the community
man who can't feel the whip when it's on
that he so obviously loves.
another man's back." And that's white
America's fault and pain-it cannot feel
Q
uestion: Where are we this Sunday
Q: So you're saying this was not just rage
the whip on another person's back. Right
after days and nights of rioting?
over a racist verdict?
now the economy's bad, and the plant
Answer: By Sunday, the armed
A: People don't burn down a city over a
layoffs and the $50,000-$60,000-a-year
might of the state will have been demon-
singular unique event. They burn down a
jobs are gone, and white America's in a
strated, and we will be at a different level,
city over 200 years of events.
red-hot rage. Suppose they'd had that for
I tend to think, one of smoldering ashes
two centuries? If the shoe had been on the
and smoldering resentments.
Q: But the mood in poorer urban
other foot, and the situation had been
Q: Do you see the violence and the fires as
communities seems to have become par-
reversed, this city would be smoldering
having an economic base?
ticularly desperate in the last few years.
ashes; white people would have burned it
A: I think everything in history is
A: I quite agree with you. For the vast
to the ground.
pulled by an economic engine: Our train
one-third below the poverty line, things
of thought is pulled by an economic
are worse than ever. You can't sustain
Q: But some things have changed since
engine. To pretend that you can be poor
yourself on $6,000 a year, $15,000 a year,
the Watts riots in terms of the black
and depressed and poor and racially
$18,000 a year. Now someone will say,
community. We have a black mayor, we
discriminated against without an explo-
"Does that give me the right to go out and
have some
sion sooner or later-that is Disneyland.
burn?" Of course not. And we're not
A: We have some 800 black elected
There is no such existence.
talking about right-we're talking about
officials at high-level positions and an-
Then, too, what's happened among our
reality. The people have been fed sour
other 800 at another. But one swallow
poor in this city and in America at large is
grapes and their teeth are set on edge.
does not make a spring. And that's the
we have a rising level of expectations. As
thing-it's a large degree of tokenism; the
long as they weren't exposed to some-
Q: But after the riots of the '60s, there
black bourgeoisie will make it anywhere.
thing better, then you could keep a slave
was the Kerner Commission and programs
They are the best of black and the best of
with a plantation mentality. But then
for change, including Wer on Poverty.
white. But it is totally unfair to ask a
when the plantation-mentality slave sees
What went wrong?
person to fight all the odds. If someone
Paree, how you going to keep him down
on the farm? People need a way to live.
A: We had 15 years of hope and then
fights the odds and wins, you proclaim
Even our middle-income people need a
the reaction set in-Nixon, Reagan, Bush,
that person a champion; that's what
way to live. Apparently, our lawmakers
trickle-down and benign neglect. If our
medals are for. But you cannot ask the
need a way to live, given the way they've
leadership had set before us, courageous-
normal run-of-the-mill person to fight
cheated on their check-writing; and our
ly and with vision, a dream, we would
upstream like a salmon all of his life.
billionaires who pay no taxes.
have been floating by now as a country.
But instead they pitted the haves against
Robert Scheer is a national correspondent
for The Times.
2062
L.A.
TIMES
05/03/92
Q: Are you telling me that since Watts,
We have a unique opportunity in that
despite the riots that came after, and the
we do not have the unhealthiest climate
Kerner Commission and War on Poverty,
of opinion and finances in the world. It's
it has still been that kind of uphill swim?
workable. And the book is still being
written-it's not closed-so that our rac-
A: It has certainly been. Look at what's
ist attitudes are not necessarily locked in.
happening to affirmative action now.
Out of this burning must obviously come a
Twenty years of affirmative action and
yearning for an agenda for the 21st
it's struck down, just as some gains were
Century, to unite the 146 nations that
being made. The Civil Rights Act under
make up Los Angeles. We cannot afford
attack. Every gain whittled, step-by-
the smallness of our differences.
step-by-step, as if we're walking in
reverse, and anybody who's saying any-
Q: So what should people of good will,
thing else just doesn't know the facts.
who say what you're saying makes sense
Economically, what are we allowed to
and they want to get with the program, do?
own? Nothing. You try. to produce, you
A: Good, let us do something economi-
run across red-lining, you run across
cally. Let the white power-which is
insurance no-can-get, you run across
magnificent once it gets to moving-it
bank loans no-can-get. We can own
can put a Hubble telescope in space and
nothing. And you want to know why the
look to the very beginnings of the uni-
rage?
verse; it can't find a way to open up
5,000-10,000 job openings in Los Angeles?
Q: Why can't you own?
After the Nazis tried to kill us, we go
A: Because of the financial setup of our
and revive Germany-and also Japan. It
country. It isn't encouraged to advance
can revive Korea, where our sons lie
money to blacks. It's by banks, the
buried beneath the soil? But it can't do
red-lining-and anybody who tells you
anything for the people here? Forty-six
there's not redlining is obviously an
founders of Los Angeles, 42 of them were
ingénue. Anybody knows that red-lining
Native Americans and African-Ameri-
is going on, blacks have no access to
cans. Pico Boulevard is named after the
capital.
late territorial governor of this territo-
Over the past year and half, we've been
ry-he was black. So we are part and
trying to rehab a number of properties
parcel of this community. Then, why
that we still have not been able to get the
aren't we allowed to take our righteous
money necessary to do that. Look at the
share?
clips in your own L.A. Times files on the
study by the federal government, which
Q: On Sunday, after people read this,
showed that even the same income levels
what should they go and do on Monday?
and credit histories, blacks get fewer
What should they be calling for?
loans than any other ethnic group.
A: White people of good intentions-
use your ingenuity to enable economical-
Q: How do we pick up the pieces?
ly the depressed communities of our city,
A: The problems are complex and our
whether they are black, Latino, Asian or
morals are no prayer books, but we're
white.
going by with scars and what we know,
But if you want to be specific, if you
and the problem is primarily economic.
want to help black people, help us find a
The problem is in the head of a white
way to redeem ourselves economically
person who is an orthodox economic
and dispel yourselves of the notion that
conservative. If only they could begin to
blacks are lazy or have no work ethic. We
see the potential in blacks and to see
have been working longer and harder and
blacks in the truer light.
without compensation than any other
Now we are set back a little bit more.
ethnicity in America. We are willing to
Every picture on television that shows
work, we are willing to walk through the
the people scene shows young black
door. But for goodness' sake, please
people looting-it's a part of the reality of
unlock it.
what's happening. It must be seen. But
there's nothing to offset that, because
that's all they'v ever seen of blacks.
The truth of the matter is: I know we
have to be among the most law-abiding
Americans. I know black people do obey
the law because we live among each
other. Our criminal class is hard-core
criminal, but that's 3%, 4%, 5% of us. We
need a new vision in the eyesight of white
people. Then that will loosen up the purse
strings and the means of earning a living.
Q: Where do we go from here?
A: Now, in rebuilding. What we're
asking is an economic power base: using
federal, state, county, city resources to
create job training and jobs. That is
obviously a must. It is a necessity to
develop a Marshall Plan for Los Angeles.
That's not rhetoric; it is a necessity.
Now that L.A. has become a prototype
for the nation, we had better make this
prototype succeed, because every time
there's a flash point in L.A., there will be
a flash point in Philadelphia, New York,
Detroit and Miami.
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PAGE 10
7TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1992 The Times Mirror Company
Los Angeles Times
May 5, 1992, Tuesday, Home Edition
SECTION: Part A; Page 1; Column 6; Metro Desk
LENGTH: 3551 words
HEADLINE: CITY RETURNS TO WORK, SCHOOL;
RECOVERY: FREEWAYS AND BUSES ARE ONCE AGAIN CROWDED AS THE DAY APPEARS TO GO
SMOOTHLY. BUSH ANNOUNCES LOANS AND GRANTS FOR REBUILDING.
BYLINE: By STEPHEN BRAUN and SHERYL STOLBERG, TIMES STAFF WRITERS
BODY:
With their street corners still guarded by rifle-toting soldiers and their
nerves less jittery but still frayed, Los Angeles residents went back to work
and school Monday as officials grappled with how to rebuild the city - both
physically and emotionally -- in the wake of last week's riots.
Freeways, buses and trains were once again crowded. Most classrooms were
full, although school officials reported slightly higher than normal absentee
rates. Suit-clad men and well-dressed women returned to the streets of downtown.
Shoppers went back to the malls.
Despite the trauma that Los Angeles has experienced since the riots began
last Wednesday, the day appeared to go smoothly. But in neighborhoods across the
city, as people attempted to go about their daily routines, they experienced
changes subtle and profound. At every turn, there were constant, sometimes
painful, reminders of the devastation.
As one resident, spotting a snub-nosed Army helicopter flying over the
Federal Building in Westwood, put it: "Every time you think you are getting back
to normal, you see something that reminds you that it isn't quite yet."
In major developments Monday:
* President Bush said the federal government will make available $600 million
in loans and cash grants to help repair damage. At the same time, the White
House blamed "liberal programs of the '60s and '70s" for the upheaval, triggered
by last Wednesday's not guilty verdicts in the Rodney G. King police beating
case. The President's spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater, said that programs offering
"direct handouts" do not encourage people to improve their lives by owning
property and developing a stake in their community.
* Bush's likely Democratic opponent, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, toured
arson-stricken Koreatown and South Los Angeles and met with a variety of
government, civic and religious leaders. "I am convinced if we can heal the
wounds of racial division in this community, then we can do it anywhere,"
Clinton told a group of Latino activists.
* Mayor Tom Bradley stuck by his decision to lift the dusk-to-dawn curfew,
despite an incident Sunday night in which a National Guardsman shot and killed a
motorist. Long Beach officials extended their curfew for another night and are
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Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1992
expected to reconvene today to decide whether to remove it.
* In a bid to generate business support for an effort to rebuild the inner
city, Gov. Pete Wilson met privately with 16 California corporate executives -
including representatives of four major financial institutions and three large
supermarket chains. And because of the rioting, Wilson extended the deadline for
Los Angeles County residents to register for the June 2 primary. The new
deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.
* Federal law enforcement experts dispatched to Los Angeles by Bush were sent
home Monday, as were police officers and sheriff's deputies from some Southern
California areas. But the National Guard, Army and Marine troops remained.
Although their status is to be re-evaluated Wednesday, Bradley said: "There is
no plan, no desire to withdraw them."
* The coroner's office placed the death toll at 58, although local police
agencies disputed whether three of them are riot-related. Injuries have climbed
to 2,383 - 228 of them critical. The population of Los Angeles County jails
continued to swell as the arrest tally rose to 12,111. Property damage has been
estimated at $717 million.
* Prompted by tips from neighbors and shopkeepers, teams of police officers
searched scores of apartments in Hollywood and other communities and retrieved
truckload after truckload of stolen merchandise - furniture with protective
cardboard still on it, microwaves with price tags inside and children's shoes
with anti-shoplifting devices still attached. Many residents, seeing the squads
of officers, readily handed over their newly gotten stereos or sofas, or
explained, "I found it in the street."
*
Los Angeles city finances, already reeling from the recession, took another
blow in the rioting. Officials estimated that damage to city-owned property
totaled at least $15 million, mostly in burned electrical transformers, power
lines and utility poles. The city must also pay nearly $13 million for police
and firefighting efforts, mostly in overtime pay. Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky,
who heads the council's Budget and Finance Committee, said: "I feel like I'm the
captain of a sinking ship right now."
* There were long lines at state employment offices, as economists estimated
that at least 20,000 people were put out of work when their places of business
were looted or burned down. Said one newly unemployed man, dazed and fighting
tears as he waited in an unemployment line: "Let's put it this way. I'm too rich
to be on welfare and I'm too poor to take care of my family."
* Most schools across Los Angeles reopened for the first time since Thursday
amid stepped-up security. Teams of counselors helped students sort through mixed
emotions as morning classes --- from drama to Spanish -- delved into every
conceivable aspect of the rioting. School officials reported no unusual
discipline problems. "The energy level is low," one teacher explained. "They are
tired."
Back to the Grind
Los Angeles greeted the workweek with a brave face. For the most part,
parents went back to their jobs and sent their children back to class.
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Airport officials said operations resumed as usual. The California Highway
Patrol said traffic was normal and the Southern California Rapid Transit
District said bus service had been completely restored, although there were
occasional delays in South Los Angeles because of military vehicles and gawkers.
But behind this seeming return to calm, there was a sense that the fabric
binding the city together had been slashed and that the tattered edges were
being hastily glued together. Suddenly, the routines that usually start up on a
Monday --- going to work or school -- were no longer routine at all.
In Gardena, 29-year-old Gary Adelstein, whose family owns a company that
manufactures shower curtains, returned to work to find his business intact. But
at least eight of his customers had lost their businesses to arsonists, leaving
Adelstein wondering what he would do with the orders he expected to ship out.
Even more troubling, he said, were the new feelings he was experiencing about
traveling to visit his clients in the inner city.
"I'm so comfortable on those streets, getting out of the car and going
wherever," he said. "It took me a while to get used to that. Now, I wonder: Is
it safe to go out there and go in these stores?"
At Dorsey High School in South Los Angeles, students returned to find the
National Guard roaming the perimeter of their campus. A steady stream of civic
leaders, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, paraded through the school, where the
gymnasium has been converted into a makeshift shelter for victims of the riots.
After an assembly, students dashed to classes, lined up at snack stands and
loitered around campus grounds in small groups, much as usual. But their
conversation was focused on one topic: the dramatic events of last week.
"I live in South-Central and the corner around my house is all burned out,"
said Kendra Trotter, 17, a junior. "I don't think it made a lot of sense. At one
store a man came out and opened the doors and told them they could take
everything but they still burned it down. Now we have to stand in line for three
hours or go out to places like Simi Valley or the Westside just to shop."
In the city's Pico-Union district, sidewalks teemed with morning shoppers and
nearby residents who for the first time were witnessing the extent of the
neighborhood devastation.
Women pushing strollers negotiated around piles of rubble; a crowd of about
50 lined up an hour early for the opening of a Security Pacific Bank. In a
neighborhood that has become a refuge for thousands of Central Americans fleeing
their own war-torn countries, the sight of smoldering shells of buildings jolted
their confidence in their adopted America.
Many stepped off buses confused and nearly speechless to find that the bank,
the market, the check-cashing shop were gone.
"People are trying to go about doing their normal business and act like they
are calm," said Eduardo Vega, 26, who moved to Los Angeles from Mexico City 12
years ago. "But everyone is nervous. The violence can come back at any moment."
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Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1992
On the Metro Rail Blue Line, which passes through the heart of the riot-torn
area, ridership was heavy on Monday but there was a noticeable reduction in the
number of white and white-collar passengers.
A white woman from North Long Beach who rode the train to downtown Los
Angeles, where she works, said she thought twice before boarding. But she said
she felt the disturbances had sufficiently quieted.
"Sure, I had some second thoughts," said the young woman, who declined to
give her name. "Because of where it goes, you think twice. People I normally
ride with would not get on it today. I think some people saw that videotape of
that guy getting pulled out of his truck and beaten, and I think people had
concerns. But on the train itself, it was safe. I felt very safe."
Similarly, those who arrived in downtown Los Angeles on the 9:01 a.m. Amtrak
commuter train from Orange County said there were fewer passengers than usual.
It was easy to find spaces in the normally jammed parking lot.
Attorney Scott Hoyt,' a Yorba Linda resident, was on the train. Although he
was coming back to work, he said he had no plans to leave his office during the
day.
"Just as well," he explained. "Who knows if this thing might pop up again?"
Plans for Action:
As residents attempted to go about their daily routines, government officials
and business leaders began formulating a plan to rebuild the city's riot-scarred
neighborhoods.
President Bush dispatched a team of officials to the city to assess its needs
and announced $600 million in federal aid - half in loans from the Small
Business Administration and half in grants from Federal Emergency Management
Agency. Bush is scheduled to visit Los Angeles Thursday and plans to conduct an
inspection of the riot damage then.
In Sacramento, Gov. Wilson said representatives for four major financial
institutions - Bank of America, Wells Fargo, First Interstate and Home Savings
- have agreed to to provide financing for economic development in distressed
areas. Wilson also said three major food retailers - including the owners of
the Vons, Ralphs and Food 4 Less chains - plan to repair and reopen any
supermarkets damaged during last week's disturbances.
Bank of America separately announced it would invest up to $25 million to
help get small businesses back in operation. The American Savings Bank in Irvine
announced it would donate $1 million to rebuild the worst-hit sections of the
city. And Glendale Federal Bank is committing $50 million in mortgage loans for
homeowners and apartment building owners rebuild.
Meanwhile, Assemblyman Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) proposed a 1/4-cent sales
tax increase to help fund the rebuilding effort and also to generate funds for
earthquake relief. The proposed 12-month statewide sales tax would raise $700
million to $800 million to rebuild Los Angeles and other devastated cities,
Torres said.
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Calling upon the state Legislature to hold a special session to consider a
plan for rebuilding the inner city, Torres said: "The Legislature must set a
standard for others to follow by acting immediately to rebuild and reinvest in
our urban centers."
Some local groups offered incentives for victimized merchants to remain in
South Los Angeles or other areas hard-hit by the rioting. The United Health
Plan, a health maintenance organization affiliated with the Watts Health
Foundation, will notify its 82,000 subscribers this week that premiums on
employees' health insurance will be deferred for six months if their businesses
were disrupted by arson or looting.
In addition, two ministers and the owner of several fast food franchises
announced plans to turn a former technical school across from the Sports Arena
on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard into a temporary, mega-supermarket where
scores of victimized merchants could sell their wares as they rebuild, and where
residents whose local markets were destroyed could shop.
Vending stalls for the merchants would be offered free of charge in the
former National Technical Schools, which has 80,000 square feet of space
available.
Just as those plans for action were announced, however, federal and local
officials continued bickering over who was to blame for last week's mayhem and
how it was handled.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Tom Bradley continued to question the Police
Department's slow response to the violence and why, on the night the riots broke
out, outgoing Police Chief Daryl F. Gates attended a Brentwood fund-raiser to
defeat Proposition F, the June 2 police reform ballot measure.
A spokesman for Bradley said the mayor also thought that Gates' "personal
ego" had stopped him from calling for federal troops sooner. The mayor has asked
the Police Commission to conduct an inquiry into the department's entire
response to the disaster, spokesman Bill Chandler said.
In addition, Bradley on Monday disclosed that, because of high tensions
between himself and the chief, he had not spoken directly with Gates in the 13
months preceding the first night of last week's riots. Instead, Bradley said he
communicated with the department through the Police Commission and deputy
chiefs.
The Troops
Federal law enforcement experts sent to Los Angeles by President Bush were
sent home Monday, as were police officers and sheriff's deputies from some
Southern California areas.
But even as they left, active U.S. Army troops hit the streets of Los Angeles
for the first time, moving out from the staging area in E1 Monte where they had
been sent the day before to await instructions.
As the Army units fanned out, they replaced weary National Guard troops in
some areas. The Guard added a mobile patrol to their contingent, and were
preparing to respond to emergencies in areas where the LAPD requested support.
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Those units went on call as sunset approached and the curfew was lifted.
There were few incidents Monday, but tensions remained high as everyday
street crimes jangled the nerves of military and civilian authorities guarding
against new outbreaks of rioting.
The FBI, for instance, was so concerned about rumors that it is dropping its
civil rights probe of the King beating that it issued a press statement. The
investigation, the statement stressed, "has been given the highest priority."
On the streets, there were several unconfirmed reports of sniper attacks on
Monday. In one incident near Koreatown, police barricaded a four-block area at
Normandie Avenue and 3rd Street after an auto theft suspect, armed with a
shotgun, blew out the back window of a car driven by a young Korean woman, who
was uninjured. He then holed up in an underground parking garage, firing one
errant shot at police. The man was arrested.
Police did not link the incident to the riot, although it did cause major
traffic jams throughout the Koreatown area, as anxiety-ridden residents crowded
around police lines.
Tensions were ratcheted up another notch by a shooting from Sunday night, in
which a National Guard contingent shot and killed a man who allegedly ran one of
their barricades and made several attempts to run over the Guard members with
his Datsun 280Z. The shooting marked the first time a citizen had been struck by
military gunfire since the troops arrived Thursday.
The LAPD and military authorities both launched investigations, but officials
said that the preliminary inquiries indicated that the Guardsmen acted within
their authority. According to military rules of engagement, Guard members have
the right to kill a person who threatens their lives or the lives of others.
Despite that shooting, Bradley lifted the curfew as promised, and said that
military troops would remain in the city to guard against new violence.
"Those troops are here until we ask them to leave," Bradley said at a morning
news conference. "You can be sure we're going to be very careful about when
there's a de-escalation in the troop assignment."
Officials close to the mayor said they expect the troops to remain in the
city at least through Wednesday. Military experts predicted that the Army and
Marine units would probably be the first to leave the city, and that Guard units
would probably stay longer because they have the most training in fighting civil
disturbances.
Anxieties Persist
For many residents, there were lingering fears.
Although the curfew had been lifted, some normally bustling areas of the city
were unusually quiet. Along Hollywood Boulevard, which had been hit hard by
arsonists and looters, movie theaters remained empty and foot traffic was light
-- signs that people were still nervous.
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On trendy Melrose Avenue, most shops closed early and some were still boarded
up. Restaurants, one of the street's main evening attractions, were having
trouble filling their tables.
Kezia Schulhof, 29, a secretary out eating ice cream with her boyfriend, said
she welcomed the lifting of the curfew. But the lifeless atmosphere on the
street troubled her. "It seems like a spirit has been broken," she said.
"There's a real quietness."
In the daytime, nerves were jangled as well. When police barricaded her
Koreatown neighborhood in search of the shotgun-wielding suspect, Mary Kunitake,
79, took cover near her balcony and trembled from the thunderous sounds of
helicopters overhead. For the Japanese-American woman, the chaotic scenes of
fires, looting, sirens and soldiers, and now a barricade, yanked her memory back
to her life in Japan during World War II.
"Every time I hear the helicopters I think of the B-29s. I am reliving the
war years,' she said. "The world is upside-down. I don't think I will ever feel
safe again."
At the home of Roy and Laverne Walker, who live just blocks from the South
Los Angeles intersection where the rioting started last week, the phones worked
again and electricity had finally been restored. Their gardener showed up, as
did the mailman.
But the black, middle-class couple remained deeply troubled. Roy, a state
police officer, and Laverne said they were seriously thinking of moving to the
suburbs - to outposts as far away as the Antelope Valley and even Simi Valley,
an area known to be relatively crime-free. It is also where a jury with no black
members returned the not guilty verdicts against the police officers accused of
assaulting Rodney G. King.
"There's a sense of violation," Laverne Walker said of her neighborhood, as
she tended their 21-month-old child, Saida. "All of a sudden the people in the
neighborhood seem like strangers. They're people I've never seen before."
At Union Station, Liliana Cabrera of Mission Viejo had just arrived on the
morning train and was waiting for a shuttle bus to take her to work. Constantly
looking around and startled by sirens, Cabrera was clearly edgy.
"Of course, I'm nervous. I didn't know how it would be," said Cabrera, who
has not been in the city since Thursday. "I'm real worried about snipers -- I
read about them in the paper and you never know when one could pop up."
At the same time, in many corners of the city there was a growing sense that
with the large military presence, Los Angeles was for the first time in years
safe from the gangbangers and other criminals.
"I welcome those soldiers," said Jim Weber, a real estate agent in the
hard-hit West Adams area. "Right now, with the Guard all around and the Marines
and the police and the Highway Patrol, they should have this many people in the
city all the time. Why should this crime be considered OK?"
For many, one of the most enduring and frightening images of the riots was
the videotaped assault on Reginald 0. Denny, 36, the white truck driver who
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was rescued by four black Good Samaritans. On Monday, his hospital social worker
told him for the first time about the enormity of the rioting and how he has
become a symbol of the racial violence.
Denny suffered severe head injuries in the beating and was unable to talk
until Monday afternoon. Prior to that, he communicated to social worker Cecily
Kahn through notes.
"I'm just a regular guy," Denny wrote in one. "I was just doing my job. I've
gone down that street a thousand times. I work. I go home. I don't want to be
famous."
The Toll
As of 9:30 p.m. Monday, authorities reported the following:
Deaths: 58
* Injuries: 2,383, including 228 critical. Among the injured are 10
firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers.
]
* Fires: More than 7,000 responses.
* Arrests: 12,111
* Damage estimate: $717 million, excluding Long Beach; 5,273 buildings
damaged or destroyed, including at least 1,600 severely damaged or burned
businesses; 3,100 businesses affected by rioting or looting.
* BLAMING LIBERALS: The White House blamed liberals' programs for riots. A9
* BUSH'S SUPPORT FALLS: The riots reduced support for the President, , a poll
found. A9
* RELATED STORIES, PICTURES: A3-A20; B1-B3
GRAPHIC: Photo, COLOR, A businessman passes National Guardsmen on watch at a
Pacific Bell building at 5th and Olive streets. JOE KENNEDY / Los Angeles Times
TYPE: Infobox
SUBJECT: RIOTS -- LOS ANGELES; LOS ANGELES -- SCHOOLS; LOS ANGELES -- FEDERAL
AID; BUSH, GEORGE; GATES, DARYL F; LOS ANGELES -- PUBLIC FACILITIES; CLINTON,
BILL; BRADLEY, TOM; CURFEWS; PROPERTY DAMAGE; STATISTICS; CASUALTIES; FIRES;
ARRESTS; LOS ANGELES -- RECONSTRUCTION; LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT; RACIAL
RELATIONS -- LOS ANGELES
LEXIS'NEXIS'LEXIS'NEXIS
May 6, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR DAN McGROARTY
FROM:
BOB SIMON
SUBJECT:
L.A. INFO
O
Military involved: 1,910 regular Army from 7th Infantry
Division at Ft. Ord; 9,727 from 40th Division of the
California National Guard; 1,556 Marines from 1st Marine
Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton. Some of the Marines
served in Kuwait. Most of these troops are not on the
streets at once, but respond to specific requests for
protection from police. Nat'l Guard went on duty Fri. 5/1
p.m. Marines and Army weren't on streets until Sat. 5/2.
NBC Nightly News, Fri. May 1
An unidentified black business owner, about 50 years old,
was shown crying with anguish to a mostly black crowd in
front of his store which had been burned and looted. He
cried to them: "It's not right! It's not right what you're
doing. I came from the ghetto too. Why destroy my store.
I tried to make it. Can't you understand what you've done?"
O
CBS Evening News, Fri. May 1
A black boy named Rudy Campbell was interviewed. He looked
like he was 7 or 8. His father had been murdered years
before and he lives with his older sister in South Central.
Asked about the violence, he said, "I think it's stupid.
People were pulled out of their cars and beaten like they
didn't know them. It's like beating up your own brother or
sister. " Asked about the looters, he said, "They should
know what's right and wrong, because when I was four, that's
when I learned." His greatest fear through all the fires
and gunshots was that his school would be burned. It
wasn't.
From USDA: The following food has been delivered from
federal stockpiles for infants and young children: 27,000
boxes of rice cereal, 1,500 boxes of dried milk, 58,000 cans
of infant formula. This is to be distributed by local
authorities.
was this connected to the rioung that
for the LOS Angeles County Coroner
related LU
W
as the stabbing death of 51-year-
tore through Los Angeles after the Rodney
office.
Many rio
old Lucie Marionian in Altadena
G. King verdicts were announced?
"So it doesn't necessarily mean they
fully inve
"I don't see that it was," said Lt. Joe
have to be dead in the riot zone," he said.
More conc
really riot-related?
Brown, who investigated the case for the
"Did other people take advantage of the
lence, det
Some authorities are raising that ques-
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
riot situation? Would they have died if the
conduct W
tion about her death and about the deaths
Of the 58 listed as having died in the riot,
riot had not occurred?"
hour inves
of several others listed in the toll from the
most are black and Hispanic men; only
The definition, said Dambacher, is clear-
And in son
Los Angeles rioting, which stood at 58
seven are women. Among the 50 male
cut. "It's not confusing to us, but [it is] to
been oblite
Tuesday.
victims, 20 are black; 18 are Hispanic; nine
police who may not feel it's a riot-related
"A lot
On the day of her death, there was no
white; and two Asian. One male corpse was
death."
riot-relate
riot-related unrest in Altadena. In fact,
burned SO badly that ethnic origin could
Several shooting deaths listed as riot-re-
investigati
Marionian's slaying is considered an isolat-
not be determined, and the gender of
lated are in dispute, including:
tland, capt
ed incident.
another corpse could not be determined.
Those of an unidentified black man on
the Los A1
At 1:55 p.m. Friday, a group of black
Of the women, five are black; one is
Thursday at 614 S. Locust Ave. in Comp-
bery and
teen-agers chased Marionian's 14-year-old
white and one Hispanic. Marionian is one of
ton; Edward Travens, 15, in the San
tendency to
TIMES
Still Reaching Out
LA
5/6/92
Aid: A free food
distribution center,
Project Reach, was
burned out in the riots.
The needy ask: Why?
By TAMMERLIN DRUMMOND
TIMES STAFF WRITER
E
very fourth Saturday like
clockwork, volunteers at
the Project Reach food dis-
tribution center on Western Av-
enue would hand out free butter,
cornmeal, canned fruit and other
staples to the hungry.
There was one line for the
elderly and the handicapped, an-
other for women with children-
some of whom began camping
out as early as 5:30 a.m. waiting
for the center to open its doors.
Funded by Hubert Cowart, a
retired black aerospace worker,
the program provided free food
to more than 1,000 people a
month, many of them Korean-
Americans.
ALSEIB / Los Angeles Times
But today, all that remains of
the warehouse at 51st Street and
Hubert Cowart, left, director of Operation Reach, with son Gardell amid the rubble of their offices.
Western Avenues is a tangled
mess of wrought iron and
same building."
said Rosie Crump, a 69-year-old
month-old foster daughter's
charred metal pipes with a for-
Cowart, who worked as a hy-
volunteer. "He never turned
head from the sun, she sifted
sale sign posted out front. And
draulics specialist in the aero-
anyone away, regardless of race,
through the varieties of bread.
those who came to depend upon
space industry for 34 years, and
color or creed."
"We were just driving down
the free food to tide their families
his wife, LaBlanche, 50, started
Robert Heroux, 41, who tries to
the street trying to find a church
over when cabinets were bare
out small about 20 years ago,
earn a living working a variety of
that was giving out food," said
were left angrily pondering the
giving away food from the ga-
odd jobs, was one. But sometimes
the woman, giving her name as
same question: Why?
rage of their Watts home. About
he just cannot make it. That was
Sandra. "We're all a little short
"I knew women who would
10 years ago, they set up shop in
when he knew he could count on
and we're the only ones in our
have had to send their kids to bed
the rented warehouse on West-
Project Reach.
neighborhood with transporta-
hungry if they didn't come here,"
ern Avenue.
"I would come here when I
tion so we're getting stuff for the
said Connie, 43, a mother of two
Without any outside financial
didn't have no money," said Her-
others, too."
who declined to give her last
assistance, the couple would
oux. "This man used to be here
Viola Silvile, 75, a Project
name. "They filled a real need in
scour the regional food banks and
24-7 trying to help people-giv-
Reach volunteer who had
this community. Now where are
other social service agencies for
ing them food. And look what
stopped by to offer help, won-
people going to go?"
food. Cowart estimates that it
they did."
dered where people will turn if
Cowart, 52, who had tapped his
costs him thousands of dollars a
On Tuesday, Cowart returned
Cowart is unable to reopen.
savings to run the food bank,
year to keep the operation run-
to the gutted shell with a truck-
"There are a lot of people who
struggled to make sense of the
ning.
load of bread, which he distrib-
are really in need and unless
destruction Tuesday as he
"It's not how much you give
utes twice a week. He sat out
they can find someplace else to
plucked charred cans of Carna-
but what you give. You don't
front for most of the day handing
go, I don't know what's going to
tion milk and coffee from the
have to be rich to help people,"
out pumpernickel, hamburger
happen," Silvile said. "I told one
ashes.
Cowart said. "It's just that in-
rolls and bagels to the men,
lady the other day after I found
stead of living in the Bahamas,
women and children who arrived
out it had burned down: 'Oh no,
B
esides Project Reach, the
we're living in Watts."
by the dozens.
it's all over.' But then she said
two-story building housed a
A fixture in the community for
that knowing him, maybe he'll
garment shop, a children's cloth-
the last decade, Project Reach
ome had been driving all day
eventually find some way of
ing store, a beauty shop and a
served people not only in Los
searching for free food at
getting things back."
market. The occupants had been
Angeles, but Compton, Long
churches and other organiza-
But for now, the Cowarts are
African-Americans, Latinos and
Beach and surrounding areas.
tions.
just taking one day at a time.
Korean-Americans. Cowart be-
Every fourth Saturday, they
When they saw the open truck
"Right now we're working out
lieves the target of the burning
came: elderly Korean-American
chock-full of bread, car after car
of our trucks until we can hope-
was the market run by Korean-
women, Latinos, African-Ameri-
abruptly swerved over to the
fully get some money together
Americans.
cans and Anglos.
side of the road to ask if it was
and locate another building,' La-
"The way I see it, they didn't
"We'd have flour, cornmeal,
free.
Blanche Cowart said.
burn my business down Thurs-
green vegetables, corn, peas
They included a 38-year-old
"We're going to have to start
day," Cowart said. "They burned
string beans-just stuff for peo:
woman from South-Central Los
from the ground up
but
a friend of mine's place down-a
ple to put on the shelves so they
Angeles who pulled up in a
we're not going to roll over and
Korean who ran a market in the
would have somèthing to eat,"
pickup truck. Shielding her 1-
play dead."
LEGISI Bill Extends Deadline to 7 Days
MAY
5
'92
3:55
FROM
GOV.
WILSON
PRESS
#2
TO 82024566218
PAGE. 002/002
LOS ANGELES TIMES.
TUESDAY. MAY 5, 1992
Street Drama
Actor Edward James Olmos Plays Leading Role in Cleanup Effort
By TRACY WILKINSON
TIMES STAFF WRITER
ment, Olmos managed to inspire
'Eddie, to me, he's the
numerous people to take a broom
T
he Sikh man in the purple
to the streets. Perhaps it is fitting
turban and gray beard smiled
Pied Piper. He walks his
that in celebrity-worshiping Los
broadly and rushed to shake
talk.'
Angeles, it takes an actor to mobi-
the hand of Edward James Olmos.
lize people.
"We saw you on TV!" he said.
But it may say more about the
"We were so impressed!" He had
STEVE VALDIVIA
sterile void that out-of-touch poll-
driven from Orange County with
About Edward James Olmos
ticians have created.
20 other Sikhs to join in sweeping
"He was out there. pushing a
rubble from the streets of Los
broom, and I said: 'Why not?' said
Angeles.
Michael Haysom, who sells Merce-
A Latino youth. his face covered with soot from a
des-Benz parts in Buena Park. "The way his words
burned-out mini-mall that he was helping clean,
were, it didn't seem he was talking from his ego."
sidled up to Olmos. "Man." he whispered into the
"Eddie, to me, he's the Pied Piper," said Olmos'
actor's ear, "I was praying someone would speak to us.
friend Steve Valdivia, who runs a gang-rehabilitation
I looked at the TV, and there you were."
program. "He walks his talk."
Olmos, the raspy-throated, hardly glamorous star of
By no means was Olmos alone in organizing the
television and movies, emerged at the height of last
cleanup; the First African Methodist Episcopal Church
week's revolt as a voice that many of the city's
was one entity that took a leading role. But with
residents wanted to hear.
Olmos' keen manipulation of the media, he was one of
Walkie-talkie in hand. Olmos for three days led
the most highly visible.
cleanup brigades through South Los Angeles and
Olmos said he came forward as riots swept Los
downtown and dispatched hundreds of volunteers to
Angeles because he thought youths, especially Lati-
blighted corners.
nos. would listen to him. Born and raised on the
More than many leaders in the political Establish-
Eastside, Olmos' past work with gangs and in other
Please see OLMOS, B4
Continued from B1
Olmos' activities this hot, sunny
community projects seems to give
day were more managerial than
tions can surely spend a little more
him a measure of credibility and
janitorial. In between his frenetic
money on education and drug pro-
moral authority that few public
duties, Olmos signed autographs.
grams. It is no wonder, he says,
figures have.
lots of autographs. And he posed
that the average guy feels com-
In a live television appearance
for photographs. First with two
pletely alienated from the Ameri-
Thursday night as the city burned,
lithe Fountain Valley women in
can system.
he spoke via remote hookup to two
shorts and tight tank tops. Then
"Children killing children, for no
young looters, and challenged
with families, kids and other ad-
reason. is what we have produced."
them to join him with a broom the
mirers.
he told Wilson, jabbing his finger in
next morning in South Los Angel-
"It's the least I can do." he told a
the air toward the governor. "Lis-
es. By 6 a.m., 25 people showed up,
reporter accompanying him.
ten to me well.
That has never
Valdivia said, and by 10 a.m. there
A fellow actor paused with his
been seen in the history of man-
were 200.
broom. thanked Olmos for the ef-
kind. Children killing children-for
From there, it snowballed.
forts and pledged himself to ongo-
no reason. And if you've got. the
On Sunday, Olmos, 45, was on his
ing community service. A Latina
time someday I'll explain it to you."
third day of commanding the
mother gushed and hugged him. A
troops. He was tired and sweaty.
couple from Orange shook his
He wore a white headband across
hand.
his brow, and a blue swatch of
After work was completed at
cloth was tied to his forearm-
Washington and Main, Olmos and
both, he said, to symbolize solidari-
his crews moved to another mini-
ty with the suffering of Korean-
mall where the Thrifty's, an auto
Americans who lost their liveli-
parts store and a shoe store had
hood in the riots.
been ransacked. Five standing
inches of gooey water mixed with
He stood at the corner of Wash-
filthy debris filled the buildings.
ington Boulevard and Main Street,
Setting up an assembly line, the
amid the ruins of a strip. mail.
volunteers shoveled out the mess
Dozens of volunteers swarmed
within a couple of hours.
around, sweeping blackened rubble
"I'm here because I want to
with new brooms. filling bright-
clean up the image of Latinos," said
orange trash bags with debris,
Jose Luis Reza, 22, who is presi-
hauling them to a donated trash
bin.
dent of the Mecha chapter at
Compton College. "It is really
"Wear gloves!" he shouted to
shameful to see our youth looting
properties
01-
Extended Page
2.1
one group, as he ran up and down
other people's properties:
01-
the sidewalk and across the street.
mos, as a figure, is a good example
"Vamos a comer!" he shouted to
to follow. especially for Chicanos."
another. "Let's eat!"
!
From there, Olmos was off to a
A catering service that usually
meeting with Gov. Pete Wilson and
feeds crews on Oimos' movie sets
about 25 Latino community leaders
brought 500 shaved-turkey sand-
on the 16th floor of the Ronald
wiches and bags of cookies to the
Reagan State Building.
volunteers.
Seated at the long mahogany
Barking into his walkie-talkie,
table, Olmos listened to Wilson for
the black-haired former rock sing-
about five minutes before inter-
er instructed volunteers be sent to
rupting.
clean out a nearby Thrifty's store,
He began with the message that
ordered a.medic to tend to a-young
he frequently repeats: A govern-
man who had cut his foot, and
ment that spends billions of dollars
coordinated shipments of rubbish
to bail out savings and loan institu-
to a landfill.
** TOTAL PAGE. . 002 **
MAY
5
'92 4:01 FROM GOV. WILSON PRESS #2
TO 82024566218
PAGE 001/001
MAY-05-'92 TUE 15:49 ID:
TEL NO:
#843 P04
4-30-92
LOS ANGELES TIMES
'No One Else Made
a Move to Help'
By JOHN MITCHELL
One man stood in the middle of
TIMES STAFF WRITER
the street warning motorists to
turn back. "There's a riot down
From the moment I saw Tam
there!" he yelled. "You don't want
Tran kneeling on the ground
to go down there."
bleeding profusely from a deep
At one point a car stopped next
gash on her check, I knew some-
to mine and the driver mouthed
thing had to be done to help her.
obscenities at Tran. 1 realized that
Someone had thrown a brick
we weren't our of danger and told
through her car window as she
her to duck down.
drove near Normandie and Flor-
Until then I thought that since I
ence avenues Wednesday night.
am a black man we would have no
She had stumbled from her car and
trouble getting out of the area.
was on her knees as I drove up to
The hospital emergency room
cover nearby looting and violence
was filled with other victims. A
in the wake of the not guilty
verdicts in the Rodney G. King
postman, a truck driver, a law
student and a reporter for United
beating trial.
Press International. All had either
Her car had come to a stop on the
sidewalk and several of the win-
been pulled from their cara, hit
dows were broken. Anger was
with thrown objects or kicked.
clearly in the air, an atmosphere 1
Several residents had driven
had seen earlier as I approached
them to safety.
the Intersection. People were
Tran. still stunned. didn't have
shouting and throwing rocks, and I
much to say after she was treated
had seen an attack on the driver
for the gash on her head and cuts
directly in front of me.
on her hands.
As a crowd began to form around
"They threw & brick though my
the stunned Tran, it seemed that
window, took my purse, my wallet
there was a brief opportunity to get
and all my papers," said Tran, who
her to safety.
left Vietnam two years ago by boat
A woman rushed to her side and
with her grandparenta. "Can I go
screamed: "You need to get out of
back tonight and get my car?"
here. If you don't get out of here
asked Tran, a manicurist who
they will kill you."
works in South-Central Los An-
No one else in the crowd made a
geles
move to help and there wasn't a
"I don't think you want to get
policeman in sight.
your car tonight," 1 said.
As a reporter, I'm trained to not
"I'm not upset or angry," family
involve myself personally in a
member Duong Nguyen said. "I
story, but it was clear that if
just don't understand why it hap-
someone didn't act, Tran might
pened. She got caught in the mid-
have been more seriously injured.
die of something."
So I helped her to my car and we
By this time, hospital officials
drove to Daniel Freeman Hospital
had figured out that I was a
in Inglewood. It was at frightening
reporter and they asked me to
ride.
leave.
Los Angeles Ends Curfew,
But Tensions Remain High
By ROBERT REINHOLD
5/5/92
Special to The New York Times
LOS ANGELES, May 4 - The au-
Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas, the Dem-
thorities ended four days of curfew in
ocratic Presidential candidate, and
Los Angeles today as the schools, pub-
Kim Dae Jung, the leader of the opposi-
lic libraries and banks reopened. But
tion party in South Korea, both of
tensions remained palpable, and there
whom toured the Koreatown neighbor-
was no move to reduce the presence of
hood, which was badly damaged by
the police and heavily armed National
rioters and arsonists. Gov. Pete Wilson
Guards in the streets.
discussed rebuilding plans with execu-
But despite the appearance of calm,
tives from several major California
the police and troops, cradling auto-
companies, including the Bank of
matic weapons, maintained a high
America, Wells Fargo, Arco, Pacific
alert for the possibility of more trouble
Enterprises and Ralph's and Vons, two
tonight. "We are remaining on top alert
large supermarket chains. All had out-
because we are not convinced it's
lets burned and looted.
over," said Stanley K. Sheinbaum,
Normal postal deliveries and bus
president of the Police Commission,
service resumed in the hard-hit South-
which oversees the Police Department.
Central area as clean-up efforts pro-
About 6,000 guard, marine and Army
gressed throughout parts of the city
troops were deployed on the streets,
and adjoining communities hit hardest
with another 3,000 or so standing by in
by the riots. Air service to Los Angeles
armories.
International Airport returned to about
The five-member commission began
normal, with planes again permitted to
to gather facts about why the police
begin their landing approach over In-
responded so slowly when the dis-
glewood, a suburb near the airport
orders first broke out last Wednesday
where there was considerable gunfire
evening. Among the questions to be
and arson during the riots. The courts
reached near the breaking point trying
to arraign arrested people.
Police officers
Tally of Dead Grows to 58
Jim
York
Times
Some in the affluent movie industry
A man who had worked as a painter's helper stood in a burned-out paint store where he used to get day jobs in South-Central Los Angeles.
and troops
began to organize relief efforts. The
actress Lindsay Wagner spent the day
outside Gelson's, an upscale grocery
pace," said Marcia Skolnik, a spokes-
mined. Col. Bob Brandt, assistant dis-
can-American, Korean and Armenian
ty," said Stephen Costello, a consultant
remain deployed
store in the exclusive Pacific Palisades
woman for the court. "We may get
trict commander of the 40th Division of
neighborhoods merge. The corner was
who is helping the delegation. "We're
area about 15 miles from the worst
through it the end of the week. We've
the California National Guard, arrived
bustling with commuters getting on
very interested in maintaining a sensi-
in the streets.
rioting, asking for donations of food
hit overload. The sheer volume is a
to inspect the scene. "Soldiers are un-
busses and street vendors, as if the
tivity to the Korean-black tensions in
from shoppers.
huge obstacle."
der very strict rules on when they can
shops were not mostly reduced to
town."
The tally of dead grew to 58 today,
Mayor Bradley said the National
fire and when they can even load their
blackened cinders, metal security
Mr. Kim had a private meeting
said the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Guard and Federal troops, which in-
weapons because we, more than any
gates hanging askew.
scheduled with Mayor Bradley this af-
Department. Many of the latest deaths
clude Army and Marine units, would
one else, do not want to have an unnec-
For several blocks around, the com-
ternoon.
examined, Mr. Sheinbaum said, was
why Chief Daryl F. Gates left police
were the result of injuries suffured
remain until further notice. "There is
essary shooting," he said.
mercial strips bore the signs of the
School children returned to classes
headquarters for about an hour and a
during the worst of the riots on
no plan, no desire to withdraw them,"
Business owners all over the city
scattershot devastation. Jeno's Pizza
in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Inglewood,
half that evening to attend a political
Wednesday and Thursday. In addition,
he said. "Those troops are here until
were surveying the damage and trying
and an adjoined dry cleaner and beau-
Hawthorne, Compton, Beverly Hills
fund-raising event in Brentwood, about
since 6 P.M. on Wednesday there have
we ask them to leave. We're going to be
to reopen. Javier Rodriquez, an insur-
ty shop were burned out, but the North-
and in most parochial schools run by
11 miles from where the violence was
been 2,383 injuries, 11,656 arrests, 5,808
very careful about when there's going
ance broker, spent the morning exam-
western Plaza, a strip of a dozen Kore-
the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los
erupting. The commission does not
fire calls and an estimated $717 million
to be a de-escalation of troop assign-
ining a damaged drug store in the
an-run business, was untouched.
Angeles. Also reopening today were all
have the power to remove the chief.
in property damage in Los Angeles and
ments."
Watts area. He said the owner, Peter
Les Markley and his son, Rob, own-
major universities in the area.
other nearby cities.
But the Mayor said he felt comfort-
Martinez, a Mexican immigrant, had
ers of Atlas furniture, were working on
While Los Angeles, West Hollywood,
'Things Are Under Control'
The pattern of arrests illustrates the
able about lifting the dusk-to-dawn cur-
chased off looters with a gun as they
their looted shop by candle light. "We
Beverly Hills and most other nearby
After several days during which
changing rhythm of the disorders and
few. "I have no anxiety about it," he
were trying to burn the store.
don't know where to start to clean up,"
cities ended their curfews today, the
many businesses were shut, office
the police response. There were about
said. "I heard enough on Sunday that I
"It's going to be very hard to find a
said the father, standing amid shat-
City of Long Beach extended its curfew
workers, shop clerks, lawyers and
4,000 arrests in the first frenzied 36
felt that I could safely lift that order."
company willing to come back in to
tered cabinets and the couches that
at least one more night. That city,
thousands of other employees filtered
hours after the first outbreak of unrest.
Mr. Bradley said fires were at a nor-
insure these places," he said.
were not dragged off by looters. The
about 25 miles south of downtown Los
back into the city for the new work-
There were 2,000 more arrests from
mal level and that a "nominal" 41
shop lost all its televisions and elec-
Angeles, experienced continued inci-
week. In the surest sign of normality in
Friday morning to Saturday morning,
arrests were made overnight in the
Back to Daily Routine
tronic office equipment and every
dents of shooting and looting over the
Southern California, the freeways were
and then 3,139 from Saturday to Sun-
city.
lamp. The Markleys found 20 pairs of
weekend.
There were some positive signs,
again clogged this morning under hazy
day morning as the military presence
But there was one major incident on
shoes inside, though, apparently left by
With its police system strained to the
though. Mr. Rodriquez said one woman
smoggy sky.
built, and then the arrests dropped
Sunday night in which National Guard
a looter who found a couch or television
maximum, Los Angeles was also hav-
had approached Mr. Martinez, the shop
"Things are under control," said
back to 2,340 from Sunday morning to
troops shot and killed a motorist that
worth more than the shoes stolen from
ing to prepare this week for a visit
owner, and returned some looted mer-
Mayor Tom Bradley on the fifth day
this morning as calm returned.
they said tried to run them over. Guard
another store.
from President Bush on Thursday. Ini-
chandise.
after the acquittal of four white police
With the county jails nearing their
troops posted at the corner of Vermont
Nearby in Koreatown, Mr. Kim, the
tial response from the mostly liberal
After having closed for several days,
officers in the beating of a black motor-
legal capacity of 25,488, the courts were
Avenue and Pice Boulevard said a man
banks in the Los Angeles area mostly
Korean opposition leader, toured the
Democratic leadership of the city was
ist, Rodney G. King, set off waves of
overwhelmed trying to process defend-
driving a Nissan 280z drove the car
area with eight members of the Korean
unfavorable. "If this is simply another
reopened today.
murder, looting and arson in the na-
ants. The Los Angeles Municipal Court
directly at them about 7:40 P.M. They
Parliament from his Democratic Par-
law-and-order speech without any re-
tion's second-largest city. "As much as
arraigned only 750 felony and misde-
said they avoided him, but he went
Several miles away in Hollywood,
ty to examine the tensions between
sources to deal with the problems,"
possible we want to return this city to
meanor suspects over the weekend,
around the block and came at them
merchants near the corner of Santa
Korean-Americans and blacks.
said Rita Walters, who represents
normalcy. We want people to feel free,
less than half what court officials
again, at which point three guardsmen
Monica Boulevard and Western Ave.
"Mr. Kim is coming to express sym-
much of South-Central Los Angeles on
to feel secure."
hoped to do even though they worked
opened fire, killing the driver.
nue were sweeping up glass and getting
pathy with those in the larger commu-
the City Council, "then he could have
It was a day of fast-moving events in
until 10 P.M.
The identity of the dead man or his
estimates to tear down fire-gutted
nity who have suffered in the violence,
stayed in Washington as far as I'm
Los Angeles, which got a visit from
"We obviously have to pick up the
motive could not be immediately deter-
buildings in this section where Mexi-
particularly in the Korean communi-
concerned."
Wash. Post: 05-02-92
Bush Orders Troops Into Los Angeles
162
Some Calm
ers brought all but a few under con-
trol. However, Mayor Tom Bradley
Department inquiry that resumed
Returns on
announced that a dusk-to-dawn cur-
today. He hinted that federal pros-
few would remain in place, and vir-
ecution of the officers on criminal
tually all major weekend sporting
civil rights charges is a strong pos-
and civic events were postponed or
canceled.
Third 21/122 / 60 Day
sibility.
He said violence and destruction
"We're getting our legs under-
of property are not answers to in-
neath us now and beginning to
justice but are themselves "an in-
make more arrests," Police Chief
By Paul Taylor and Carlos Sanchez
justice."
Daryl F. Gates said. Preliminary
Washington Post Staff Writers
The president ended his short
damage estimates total $500 mil-
LOS ANGELES, May 1-This
address with an appeal for tolerance
lion, a figure expected to increase
scarred, smoldering city held its
and for rebuilding in the nation. "We
when authorities are able to make
breath tonight as police and Nation-
must allow our diversity to bring us
more complete surveys.
al Guard troops appeared to have
together and not drive us apart," he
In addition to protecting shops,
National Guard troops were a
restored order, at least temporar-
said. "We must build a future where
strong presence at post offices in
ily, and President Bush ordered
empty rage gives way to hope,
south-central Los Angeles that
4,000 Army and Marine troops to
where poverty and despair give way
join the effort to end two days of
were opened from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
to opportunity."
urban anarchy.
so residents could pick up their
Of more than 35 victims identi-
first-of-the-month welfare and So-
Authorities said 39 people have
fied here, authorities said, three are
been killed and more than 1,340
cial Security checks. Finding places
injured. More than 3,700 fires have
white, three Hispanic and the rest
to cash them proved to be trouble-
been reported, and more than
black. Of that group, all but one is
some, authorities said.
3,000 arrests have been made.
male.
Even in areas not affected by an-
The death toll made this the
Officials said that funerals for the
archy, motorists took advantage of
worst riot in the city's history, sur-
victims have not been scheduled,
the relative calm in daylight hours
passing the carnage from a week-
primarily because of difficulty in
to fill their gas tanks, creating
long disturbance that claimed 34
locating next of kin.
block-long lines reminiscent of the
lives in the Watts neighborhood in
Today, the presence of heavily
oil crises of the 1970s. City officials
the summer of 1965.
armed National Guard troops ring-
had ordered that gasoline be dis-
Bush ordered that the military
ing shopping centers helped to pre-
pensed only directly into vehicles.
troops be moved here from bases in
At food stores that stayed open,
vent a recurrence of rampant loot-
Monterey and Oceanside, Calif.,
there were long lines and lots of
ing and arson that characterized the
and that 1,000 federal officers
trained in urban policing also be
first two days of trouble here. Res-
hoarding, suggesting concern by
sent here. The action came after he
idents began sweeping up and hos-
residents that violence may esca-
met at the White House today with
ing down ransacked neighborhoods.
late this weekend. Those who re-
military and legal advisers and then
The day's most emotional plea
called the Watts disaster were
with civil rights and community
for an end to violence came from
aware that greater trouble flared
leaders.
King, 26, the unemployed black
there after police declared the area
As darkness fell, there was no
construction worker whose beating
under control on the first night of
evidence that the Army and Marine
touched off a chain of events that
disorder.
troops had left their staging areas
culminated in this week's verdicts
Phillip J. Weireter, spokesman
in or near the city. The 1,000 fed-
and the explosive reaction to them.
for the Los Angeles City Fire De-
eral officers from agencies such as
"People, I just want to say, can
partment, said reports of incidents
the FBI and the Border Patrol were
we all get along?" King said, chok-
dropped dramatically today. "We
on the street with the National
Guard and state and local police.
ing back tears, as he gave reporters
were handling 200 incidents at any
one time, including 50 fires," he
At civil rights leaders' urging,
a brief statement outside his law-
said, referring to Thursday, the
Bush spoke on national television
yer's office in Beverly Hills. "Can
first full day of violence. "Today,
from the Oval Office this evening,
we stop making it horrible for the
there are 30 incidents at any given
appealing to the American people
older people and the kids?
time and maybe 10 to 15 fires."
for racial tolerance and a return to
"We'll get our justice," King said.
"Incidents" include fires and re-
law and order.
"They've won the battle, but they
lated violence, he said.
Bush said the violence in Los An-
haven't won the war. We'll have our
Weireter said 10 firefighters
geles is "not about civil rights" or
day in court, and that's all we
have been injured since violence
"the great issues of equality" but
want."
began Wednesday afternoon. Two
"the brutality of a mob, pure and
The Justice Department opened
were shot, one in the thigh and one
simple." He said he would "use
a grand jury investigation here to-
in the face.
whatever force necessary" to re-
store order.
day into possible civil rights viola-
He also cited a spirit of cooper-
Reiterating the "anger and pain"
tions by the officers. "Subpoenas
ation between residents and fire-
have been served; evidence is being
fighters that was noticeably absent
he felt when he first viewed the
pursued," Attorney General William
during the first 24 hours after the
videotape of four white Los Angeles
P. Barr said in a statement.
verdict, when police were hard
police officers beating black motor-
pressed to protect more than 1,700
ist Rodney G. King on March 3,
The federal probe, held in abey-
firefighters battling stubborn
1991, Bush said he too was
ance while the state tried the offi-
"stunned" at the virtual exoneration
blazes. "I think people are fed up
cers in nearby Ventura County, is
with it," he said.
of the officers by a jury Wednesday.
being expedited, Barr said.
Bush said that he understood
At an ABC grocery market in the
With about 4,500 National Guard
those who cannot reconcile the not-
guilty verdict with the videotape.
troops far more visible today after a
The answer to that frustration, he
slow start at deploying them into
said, is not violence but a Justice
the streets Wednesday, the number
of new fires declined, and firefight-
Wash. Post 05-02-92
2
south-central section of the city, an
tral Los Angeles, firefighters con-
utive director of the NAACP, said
area hit hardest by looting and
tinued to fight flare-ups, while
Bush "is beginning to recognize the
burning, dozens of residents gath-
neighbors traded stories about the
fact that unless we deal with this
ered in an impromptu meeting to
tumult Wednesday night.
help the cleanup. "We feel great
issue, America is in for a long, hot
Raul Centeno told of a massive
summer."
about this," said Jeff Birdsong, the
effort by seven men stealing an au-
The Rev. Joseph L. Lowery, ex-
store manager.
tomatic teller machine. "They
Neighbors, armed with shovels
ecutive director of the Southern
worked four or five hours on that
and rakes, filled carts with shat-
Christian Leadership Conference,
thing," he said. "They were sweat-
tered window glass, broken bottles
said Bush must do more than send
ing, and finally they put it away in a
and soggy remnants of groceries
troops. "If he accompanies that with
truck." Several times during the
and deposited the mess into a large
a condemnation of violence on the
protracted looting, he said, over-
trash container under the watchful
part of police and condemnation of
worked police drove by without
eyes of several National Guard
stopping.
violence on the part of our econom-
members.
ic system that sends some
Helen Isaac, who owns the only
"It's going to be hard," said Joe
hope," he said.
grocery store in a 10-block area,
Williams, a neighbor who patron-
said her husband spent the night
In Little Rock, Ark., Democratic
ized the grocery store and said he
inside it with a gun, fending off loot-
presidential contender Bill Clinton
had no idea where he would get
ers. "Everybody is still scared," she
called for a national day of prayer
groceries now. "This is the wrong
said, pointing to hole in the ceiling
Sunday, saying "it's time for recon-
way to do it," he said of the looting
where looters broke into their
ciliation." In an interview on ABC
and violence, which left the store
store.
News after Bush's address, Clinton
stripped clean and several adjoining
"Anything could happen," she
said, "I think the president did a
businesses burned to the ground.
said, referring to the looters. "I
good job tonight in taking the steps
Colin Senhouse, driving around
don't think they're tired."
he should have taken."
with friends looking for places
Farther north, in the Koreatown
Officials here and in Washington
where they could help clean up, said
area, people could be seen lining up
said California Gov. Pete Wilson (R)
he sensed that most people in the
at the side of the building, waiting
and Bradley had asked Bush to order
south-central area understood the
their turn to enter in groups of 10
the military to help here. The troops
cause of the violence. "I don't see a
to buy groceries.
included 2,500 Army soldiers from
lot of people upset, but I get the
Before addressing the nation to-
Fort Ord in Monterey and 1,500 Ma-
feeling that they already saw a lot
night, Bush met with civil rights
rines from Camp Pendleton in Ocean-
of the destruction and now it's time
leaders, including several black Re-
side.
to clean up," he said.
publicans who have advised him in
While this city was the hardest hit,
At the northern end of south-cen-
the past. Benjamin L. Hooks, exec-
outrage over the King verdict con-
tinued to reverberate around the na-
tion.
In Atlanta, police and demonstra-
tors clashed for a second day. San
Francisco remained under a state of
emergency and nighttime curfew af-
ter widespread vandalism and looting
began Thursday, and Nevada Gov.
Robert J. Miller (D) activated the
National Guard in response to vio-
lence in Las Vegas where at least one
death was reported.
In New York, concern and ru-
mors of potential violence caused
many employers to send workers
home early. About 500 people
marched about a mile from Times
Square to Madison Square Garden,
and small groups of protesters later
broke windows in lower Manhattan.
Police made about 70 arrests.
Contributing to this report were
staff writers Lou Cannon, Ruben
Castaneda, Al Kamen, Gary Lee
and Avis Thomas-Lester and
special correspondent Leef Smith in
Los Angeles; staff writer Ann
Devroy in Washington; staff writer
Maralee Schwartz in Little Rock,
Ark., and staff writer Don Phillips
in Atlanta.
PHIL. INQ. 05/04/92
She simply had to help
Samaritan shuns label of 'hero'
LOS ANGELES - She had
dropped by her mom's house after
work to say hello. Her brother was
there and the television was on,
and as they watched, they couldn't
believe what they were seeing.
A white driver, stopped at a traf-
fic light, was pulled out of his
truck and beaten by blacks who
took turns bashing him.
Lei Yuille, a black 37-year-old di-
etitian, recognized the intersec-
tion as Florence and Normandie in
South Central L.A. It was only min-
utes away, and not far from her
own home. So she and her brother
Pierre decided to race out there
and try to help the man before he
was beaten to death.
"We were horrified," Yuille says.
"And my brother said we had to do
what we could to help."
She understood the anger and
The Philadelphia Inquirer / RICK BOWMER
the sense of abandonment in the
black community. In a way it was
Lei Yuille was horrified as she saw the truck driver being beaten.
Watts all over again. She remem-
bered Watts, and she knew that 27
By STEVE LOPEZ
years hadn't brought much prog-
ress.
"But this wasn't right," she says.
"They had no right to try to take a
man's life. I was angry. And dis-
gusted."
As Lei and Pierre left, their
mother was protesting, afraid
they'd be attacked for trying to
help.
severely smashed up that he couldn't see or
But it was her mother and fa-
think clearly. He struggled with the truck,
ther, Yuille says, who had given
and it barely moved along.
her a sense of right and wrong,
"He was very bloody, and his eye was
and helped make her the kind of
person who knew, without think-
bulging," Yuille says.
ing about it, that she had to go out
She jumped onto the running board of the
passenger side, told him he was going to be
there.
fine, and then tried to talk him through the
In the moments before Lei and
driving, serving as his eyes.
her brother arrived, Reginald Oli-
"He kept saying he didn't know what
ver Denny, 36, and the father of an
happened," Yuille says. "I told him he was
8-year-old girl named Ashley, had
going to be OK."
crawled back toward his truck,
It was a horrible situation, she knew, but
groveling for his life.
she didn't let herself feel it.
When he was almost there, a
"I was thinking about him, and not my-
self."
man emerged from the mob, stood
over Denny as if to measure him,
She was even oblivious to the taunting
and then crashed a rock down on
she was getting for helping Denny. All she
his skull. As Denny collapsed, the
could think about was getting him away
man raised his fist in celebration.
from that intersection and getting him to a
It was the most savage piece of
hospital. As they pulled away, she worried
film since the police beating of
Rodney King, and like the King
for her brother, fearing he might have been
videotape, it played around the
attacked for trying to help.
world.
A man appeared now, running alongside
Lei and Pierre parked a block
the truck, and said he thought he could
away and ran to the intersection.
drive it. His name was Bobby.
They were split up in the chaos.
Bobby climbed in and pushed Denny
The next thing Lei remembers is
over. Yuille climbed in and tried to comfort
seeing Denny back in his truck,
Denny.
trying to drive away. But he was so
As the three of them made their way,
another man appeared on the running
board where Yuille had been, volunteering
his help. His name was Titus Murphy. He
said his girlfriend, Terry Barnett, was going
to drive ahead of them in a car, clearing the
way with flashing lights.
Murphy and Barnett had also seen the
beating on television, and raced to the in-
tersection to help.
And so the two-vehicle caravan headed
B6
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
LA TIMES 5/6/92
WASHINGTON EDITION ANGELES TIMES
BUSINESS
Oil Firms Plan to Rebuild Gas Stations
Couple Seized in
Energy: Chevron and Arco
Hills that he has already been in contact with
total of looted or burned to 50 stations,
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, as well as
including two each in Las Vegas and Oakland.
Credit-Repair Scam
have made commitments to help
Peter Ueberroth, who is directing rebuilding
"It is too early to say what specific role
efforts.
Arco will play in any upcoming effort to
According to law enforcement
stricken areas.
By DENISE GELLENE
Chevron, Derr added, is sending $20,000 in
rebuild the devastated areas," Cook said, "but
officials, the Ruggeris charged
TIMES STAFF WRITER
immediate aid to the Los Angeles Conserva-
I assure you that we'll be part of any effort
20,000 people between $45 and $56
By MICHAEL PARRISH
tion Corps, a private, nonprofit cleanup group,
he owners of a firm peddling
for kits that showed them how to
that has broad community support."
TIMES STAFF WRITER
and $60,000 to the local Red Cross-the latter
Arco will definitely rebuild the five burned
T
a new and potentially dan-
"clean up" their poor credit histo-
hevron Corp. Chairman and Chief Ex-
earmarked for families made homeless in the
stations that it owns directly, but six of the
gerous method for repairing
ries by illegally changing their
C
poor credit records have been ar-
Social Security numbers. The kits
ecutive Kenneth T. Derr said Tuesday
disturbances. Derr said the company has also
burned stations are owned by private op-
instructed buyers to apply to the
sent letters to Chevron credit card holders in
rested on charges of criminal vio-
that the oil company intends to reopen
erators-"so we can't speak for them."
lations of state credit services laws.
Internal Revenue Service for an
seven Chevron stations badly damaged in last
the affected area, offering to negotiate delays
George Babikian, president of Arco Products
John P. Ruggeri, 35, and his wife,
employee identification number.
in their payment schedules-a standard offer
week's violence and to help in other ways to
Co., clarified after the meeting.
Nancy G. Ruggeri, 33-owners of
and to substitute it for their Social
made by the company in such crises.
rebuild stricken neighborhoods in Los Angel-
rco has about 500 service stations in Los
Ft. Bragg-based Credit One-were
Security number. Both numbers
Lodwrick M. Cook, chairman and chief
es.
A
executive of Atlantic Richfield Co., told
Angeles and parts of Orange County,
arrested for selling thousands of
have nine digits.
Los Angeles-based Atlantic Richfield Co.,
where it has about 25% of the market.
kits showing desperate consumers
The kits also instructed people to
shareholders at Arco's annual stockholders
considered to be the hardest hit of the
how to obtain credit by illegally
meeting Monday that 11 Arco stations had
Chevron has 250 stations in roughly the same
change their address in order to
branded gasoline retailers, made a similar
changing their Social Security
trick credit bureaus such as TRW,
been burned and 36 looted, at an estimated $5
area.
numbers.
which identify consumers by their
pledge on Monday. The company, which sells
million to $10 million in damage. Though as
Judy Roberson, legislative coordinator for
The defendants were on their
Social Security number and ad-
one out of four gallons of gas in the Los
many as 132 stations were out of service for
governmental affairs for the Southern Cali-
way to Los Angeles County Jail on
dress.
Angeles area, will rebuild five Arco-owned
lack of fuel at the worst point over the
fornia Service Station Assn., estimated Tues-
Tuesday after being arrested in Ft.
The bogus credit-clearing meth-
stations that were destroyed.
weekend, Cook added, most are already back
day that a total of 70 gas stations in the Los
Bragg last week on a warrant
od, known as "credit file segrega-
Chevron's Derr told a sparsely attended
in business, including some that were looted
Angeles area were either burned or looted
issued by Los Angeles Municipal
tion," attracted attention about a
annual shareholders' meeting in Beverly
or damaged. Tuesday. Arco expanded the
badly enough that they had to be closed.
Judge Leland Harris. They are
month ago when the IRS an-
being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
nounced that people who had doc-
Besides the criminal charges, the
tored their Social Security num-
Ruggeris face civil actions by the
bers on tax forms could face
Federal Trade Commission, the
TOUR: Bankers
MALLS: Slow
criminal fraud charges and could
state Department of Community
also lose out on Social Security
Affairs and the Minnesota attorney
benefits.
general.
Get an Eyeful
Day for Most
The Ruggeris were unavailable
A
ccording to Qwan, the Rug-
for comment, and their attorney,
geris solicited people who had
Lair Franklin, said he could not
recently sought bankruptcy pro-
of Destruction
Merchants
comment because he had not seen
tection. They purchased the lists
the charges.
from outside vendors.
Ruggeri, a veteran of the credit-
"What makes this so despicable
Continued from B5
Continued from B5
repair industry, was president of
is that they were taking advantage
the window intact advertising its
Bryman. But there have been only
First Credit Services in 1984 when
of people in dire straits in an
"blowout sale." One banker point-
half the usual number of dinner
the FTC took action against it for
extremely bad recession in Califor-
ed out the juxtaposition of a
patrons, despite the fact that the
alleged deceptive business practic-
nia," said Jim Conran, director of
charred liquor store on one side of
area was spared any direct impact
es. Ruggeri was never charged,
the state Department of Communi-
Vermont with tranquil USC tennis
from the riots.
and the action against First Credit
ty Development. The department
courts on the other. Hahn noted
At Lawry's Prime Rib at La
Services ended with a consent
is seeking $300,000 in civil penal-
that drug dealers his office had
Cienega and Wilshire boulevards, a
decree in which the firm neither
ties from Credit One for alleged
tried to clear out of an area off
bit closer to some of the riot-struck
admitted nor denied wrongdoing.
unlawful business practices and
Olympic Boulevard were still
areas, business was off 40% Mon-
Los Angeles Deputy City Atty.
false and misleading advertising.
hanging out in the parking lot of a
day night, according to general
Ruth Owan said the Ruggeris are
have
WASHINGTON EDITIO
SECTION
B
WEDNESDAY
CALIFOF
MAY 6, 1992
Comment
RIOT A
ON CALIFORNIA
An Island
Riots Renew Debate 01
in the
Assistance: Liberals say the unrest shows
mentality" that encourage
push toward crime.
the need for new government programs.
But a closer look at the
Calamity
Conservatives say the policies waste money
recent years shows a deci-
few surprises on both sides
and foster dependence.
While total federal
substantially in the mid-1
BY AL MARTINEZ
By ART PINE
past few years-partly be
TIMES STAFF WRITER
effects of the recession, bu
and congressional action t
L
eon Lasken is the kind of guy I'd
WASHINGTON-The questions blaze anew in the wake
covered by these programs
have written about with or
of last week's rioting in Los Angeles: Has the federal
Despite all the rhetoric
without the Los Angeles riots.
government done enough to combat poverty in the nation's
programs of the '60s, the n
His small grocery store stood un-
inner cities? Have its efforts helped-or hurt, as some
years have involved a har
touched amid chaos, and almost ev-
critics say?
agreed were not working
eryone who came in when things
The debate already has been drawn: Liberals contend
1970s, revenue-sharing a
quieted down thanked God Leon was
that the Los Angeles riots show that programs have fallen
grants.
all right.
behind, and they demand that the government launch a
The narrowing of inner
He's a small Jewish man of 81 with
new "domestic Marshall Plan," patterned after the post-
years has had more to do
a smile like sunlight through dark
World War II recovery program, to help inner-city
American economy-to ser
clouds and a soul as wide as heaven.
residents overcome their economic plight.
with the recent recession
No one goes hungry when Leon is
Conservatives argue that the programs are a waste of
government's efforts to com
around, and it didn't take riots to tell
money and worsen the situation by forcing people to stay
Although some policie
him there was pain in the ghetto. He's
on the dole and by imbuing them with a "welfare
welfare payments, clearly
been in it for 43 years.
The grocery store, a cluttered little
place piled high with boxes, is called
the Palace, which in a way I suppose it
is. Leon really doesn't own it any-
more, but he's there every Saturday
and no one in the area ever thinks of it
as anything but Leon's place.
He opened it on Prairie Avenue in
South-Central shortly after the Sec-
ond World War and sold it to his
manager a couple of years ago after
suffering a mild stroke.
I first heard from Leon when a $100
check arrived in the mail with a note
that said I should give it to a minority
student trying to better himself.
It was in response to a column that I
can't even remember, but I sent it on
'The world was made as
much for giving as for
taking.'
to where I knew kids were in need. I
thanked Leon, and then a few weeks
much for giving as for
taking.
to where I knew kids were in need. I
thanked Leon, and then a few weeks
later he sent another check for the
same purpose.
I next heard from him when I wrote
a column about Long Beach bums.
Leon was all over me. "When you
reach my age," he wrote, "the word
bum will be the least-used word in
your vocabulary."
There are no bums, Leon said, only
people down on their luck.
The kind of compassion we all wish
we had shone through in that letter,
SO I tracked Leon down to his grocery
store. It was just a day after the riots,
Dogs brought in from Northern California assist search for remains of missing woman la
and the smoking ruins of other shops
could be seen in the neighborhood.
Leon's store was like an island of
serenity in a sea of chaos, a happy,
busy place stocked with just about
A Grim Sifting of A
everything I've ever seen in a market.
Leon himself was in a tiny, messy
back room, a balding, pink-faced man
Search for People Feared Burned to Dea
with mutton-chop sideburns and the
most infectious laugh I've ever heard.
By SCOTT HARRIS
Conspiracy Section, which
He was clearly embarrassed by the
TIMES STAFF WRITER
daunting task, considering t
attention I was giving him and didn't
Just the other day, Spea
want to talk about himself. But I
W
here is Angela Powell?
wreckage of the Pep Boy
haven't been in this business 40 years
The last time anybody saw her, the rampage was only
buried in ashes and debris
to let questions go unanswered.
a few hours old. Angela Powell had ventured into the
So far, five fire victims are
Pretty soon I'm hearing about a guy
flames and smoke of the New Guys electronics store at
one has been identified, acc
whose philosophy is as simple as rain.
Vermont and Slauson avenues.
"It's possible some could
He was poor once back in Bismarck,
Her mother, Elizabeth Blanding, told police her 22-year-old
North Dakota, SO he helps others
could be looters," Spear sai
daughter and a friend didn't go in there to pick up a free TV or
unfortunate victims."
when he can. The world was made as
stereo, but to warn people of the danger.
much for giving as for taking.
But Powell doesn't repr
Her friend got out. Powell, it seems, didn't.
Leon was a hell-raiser when he was
certain that her remains
So as Blanding, other relatives and friends watched,
young. This is no faint-heart here, but
charred debris inside the st
a tough, ex-street kid with a sense of
coroner's investigators escalated efforts Tuesday to find Powell
which has been decorated W
reality as strong as hunger, which
as well as other possible riot victims, enlisting search dogs and
The initial report to auth
makes his compassion all the more
extra personnel in the grim hunt.
have been trapped inside wh
genuine.
No one is sure how many more victims may be discovered,
after the fire, no human rem.
He spotted a man in his store once
said Detective Steve Spear, a member of the LAPD Criminal
he knew was a shoplifter. But he also
knew he was hungry. After the guy
had wandered around for a while,
Leon got tired of watching him and
said, "For God's sake, man, steal
something and leave." He did.
Police Wary of Gang Memb
Leon has been mugged and robbed
a few times, but that hasn't changed
his attitude a damned bit as far as I
Alliance: Clergy and youth
County Probation Department.
said
can tell. He still gives things away.
"We received intelligence well in ad-
"Oz
This began when he saw people
counselors see their cooperation
vance of the [Rodney G. King] verdict that
blue
taking produce from trash bins behind
the store. The next day he put up a
as essential to rebuilding
there would be certain informal truces
color
among gangs," said Los Angeles Police
to in
sign that said, "If you're broke and
riot-torn areas. But police fear
Cmdr. Ronald Banks. "There is a belief and
turf.
hungry, come in and ask for Leon."
They were lined up for three blocks
organized retaliation against law
perception now that
they are directing
"Y
their efforts towards police."
the next day, Leon says, and he knew
toget.
enforcement.
Banks and other police officials said their
said
he couldn't keep that up.
intelligence gathering had gleaned several
corne
He tried leaving canned food on a
By LOUIS SAHAGUN
indications that gangs were banding to-
Cle
rack outside with a sign that said
"Take some, leave some," but one
and LESLIE BERGER
gether to harm police, including fresh
a truo
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
graffiti throughout the city stating, "LAPD
reach
person would take it all so he quit that
187" "187" being a reference to the
from
too and began giving food to places
like convalescent homes instead.
S
ome longtime rival gang members in
state penal code for homicide.
traini
the Bloods and the Crips have reached
Why was his store spared during
But gang members maintained Tuesday
Edgar
a purported truce that church and
the riots? "This is a violence-free
they were negotiating truces because they
Meth
community activists hope will redeem
zone," Leon says with a laugh, then
recognized the need to set aside differences
Weste
disaffected youths but that police fear
adds simply, "They're my friends."
and protect each other from the police-
plans
signals a possible organized retaliation
Three hundred years ago John
whom they feared would unfairly target
discus
Donne wrote, "No man is an island,
effort against law enforcement.
them for criminal prosecution in the after-
riot-t
entire of itself; every man is a piece of
As optimistic clergy and youth counsel-
math of last week's looting and arson. So
"Th
the continent.'
ors spoke of the chance to involve gang
far the truce effort has involved only a
extrac
Here's a guy who lives that credo
members in rebuilding riot-torn Los An-
handful of the estimated 90,000 active gang
"They
every day of his life, and it works. If
geles on Tuesday, warnings of planned
members in the county, community activ-
port the
only we all did that. If only we were
guerrilla attacks against officers were be-
ists said.
Imn
all like Leon Lasken.
ing circulated among Los Angeles police
"Instead of shooting each other we
hosted
and sheriff's deputies and the Los Angeles
decided to fight together for black power,"
detectives cannot be spared to
said Dr. Joseph Davis, chief medical exam-
duct what usually amounts to a four-
iner for Dade County, who has worked for
investigation at the scene of a death.
the department for 36 years and has seen
in some cases, death scene clues have
several Miami riots.
obliterated by the raging fires.
"Much of it becomes dependent on the
A lot of things we are saying are
working relations between medical exam-
-related without the benefit of a good
iners and police. If there's a problem, it's a
estigation," said Capt. William Gar-
matter of communication.
And
you
captain and commanding officer of
have to look at the motives [of] people who
Los Angeles Police Department's rob-
want it to be riot-connected or don't want
and homicide division. "There's a
it to be. I don't like to use the word
dency to paint the bleakest picture."
politics."
LA TIMES 5/6/92
Troops Caught Up
in Everyday Woes of
Life in Los Angeles
By JIM NEWTON
like Lebanon than Long Beach. But
and BOB POOL
after days of raging anger and fear,
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
most said they felt safe again-saf-
er, in fact, than they did before the
T
housands of National Guard
riots erupted.
and U.S. military troops sta-
After all, many residents said,
tioned in Los Angeles arrived
shooting and other violent crimes
as strangers charged with quelling
were part of daily life in Watts and
the worst rioting in the city's
South Los Angeles long before last
history.
week's rioting broke out. Since the
But after a string of long days
military arrived, many residents
and nights on the job, the troops
have gotten a measure of relief-
find themselves swept up in the
not only from the rioting, but from
everyday life and violence of the
those daily crimes as well. Even
communities they guard.
gang members, the residents say,
They've been fed food and can-
think twice about shooting off a
dy, and even had hymns sung to
gun in front of 500 heavily armed
them. But they'v also been thrust
soldiers from the 7th Infantry Di-
into the darker side of Los Angel-
vision.
es-from ducking drive-bys to
"All of the neighborhood is safe
breaking up arguments between
now. We feel like it's a safe place to
angry motorists.
live," said Orlando Montufar, who
In one small encounter after the
was a cook at a Carl's Jr. in South
next, residents have expressed
Los Angeles until his workplace
their gratitude to the military and
was ransacked last week. "But
es.
offered gestures of thanks. Resi-
after they leave, I got to stay inside
dents pass out coffee and cookies to
Every six months, they should
the troops. The family that lives
come back and clean the place
next door to the Marine headquar-
out."
ted
ters in Compton delivers fried
chicken to them every day. People
wn
stand and applaud as the armored
H
erman Noel, a soft-spoken 81-
year-old in a gray fedora,
personnel carriers rumble by.
agreed.
aid
At the ABC Market in South Los
"I like the Army, I like them a
as
Angeles, a choir Sunday serenaded
lot," said Noel, who has spent most
ort
troops with its rendition of "The
of his life in Watts. "There's so
our
Battle Hymn of the Republic."
much crime here. If the Army can
ta-
But then there is the implacable
stop it for a while, I say: 'Let 'em
he
street violence that has drawn
stop it. The troops have even
them in.
become a stopping post on the
Marines in Compton were swept
campaign trail: Presidential candi-
ad
up in a domestic dispute Sunday
date Patrick J. Buchanan paid
on-
and returned fire from the man
National Guard units a visit in
if
involved. Another group of Ma-
South Los Angeles On Tuesday,
rines saw a man shoot at a security
sweeping in under the escort of
ho
guard early Tuesday, and when
Secret Service agents. Some of the
they yelled, he fired on them and
troops, bivouacked under camou-
to
fled. They caught up with him
flage netting in the parking lot of
to
hiding in a bush, and held him until
the Los Angeles Memorial Colise-
ne
police arrived.
um, gathered to hear Buchanan.
Guard troops in South Los An-
Most skipped Buchanan's appear-
no,
geles backed up police as they
ance, preferring to catch some
aid
cornered a suspected car thief, and
sleep.
Army soldiers in Watts peered out
And yet, even as residents and
of
over the rooftops of a shopping
politicians pay homage to the sol-
center Tuesday as distant gunshots
diers, there were signs that the
re
echoed through the muggy after-
troops could wear out their wel-
noon and evening.
come.
In Hollywood, for instance,
e-
er
"T
his is about the last place I
Sheldon Wolfe, a 16-year-old
thought I'd ever be,' con-
homeless boy with a neon green
a-
ceded Army Lt. Curtis Grass, as he
Mohawk, said the troops "make me
watched store owners in Watts
sick." As two Guard members pa-
dragging rotting food from the
trolled Hollywood Boulevard,
supermarket and replacing scores
Wolfe shook his head in disgust
id
of broken windows. "It's a long
and said he was tired of "living in a
way from Fort Ord."
police state."
Some residents grumble about
Flashes of that anger have
having 11,000 troops in and around
cropped up, and troops said that
their neighborhoods, complaining
while most of the residents have
that their communities seem more
Please see TROOPS, B4
ys
ed on
ASHES: Grim Search
SO re-
Continued from B1
concerned about the availability of
planned sniper attacks against po-
opment in impoverished Sout
cerns
weapons to them and threats to
lice once federal troops and Na-
Angeles to avoid riots such as
hand-
police officers. So it's very real."
tional Guardsmen left the city,
that shook the city last
Police
A police spokesman said the
Probation Director Barry Nidorf
Many also agree that any
department was concerned about
said.
effort must give residents mor
n on
the flier but did not feel unduly
in the
threatened, especially with a
One probation supervisor who
BLooDs
stake in any new businesses.
But they disagree over hc
arlins,
heavy military presence in the
read the document said it alleged
fatal-
city.
that gang members had looted
ERTPS
accomplish this goal.
ho in
"We won't ignore it and we'll
pawn shops and gun stores during
TOGETHE
Some favor huge infusior
public and private cash to fir
accept it for what it is. Somebody
the riots to stock up on weapons
new ventures and rebuild ex
the
has put it out," said Lt. John
and ammunition, including "ar-
ones. Others argue that m
dont
Dunkin. He added, "There's really
mor-piercing bullets."
alone is inadequate to addres
black
not too awfully much you can do.
Nidorf said he advised his staff to
cial problems that must be S
and
You can't just go out and indiscrim-
take the warnings seriously and to
before meaningful economic
for
inately round people up."
arrange for increased police patrol.
velopment can take place.
APD
At the county Probation Depart-
Nidorf said he was unsure of the
Some favor creation of
Pow.
ment Tuesday, supervisors were
initial source of the information,
KIRK McCOY / Los Angeles Times
enterprise zones in the comm
shown copies of a memo written by
and sheriff's officials with knowl-
to give fledgling firms some
usly,"
the sheriff's emergency operation
edge of the memo could not be
Gangs' message on a burned-
advantages. But others argue
Police
center, which warned of possible
reached.
out building on Western Avenue.
such zones merely rob the con
nity of tax money while doing
to encourage new business.
TROOPS: Taste of L.A. Life
And leaders differ on whe
manufacturing or services-
as new shopping centers-are
Continued from B3
from the rooftops, relaying details to an officer
most appropriate types of busi
been welcoming, there are those who see the
in the parking lot.
to create jobs and wealth for b
soldiers as an occupying force and want only for
"We're just keeping an eye on him," the
entrepreneurs. The argument
them to leave. Some carloads of people honked
officer said. "We don't want any mistakes."
ters on whether it is enoug
and made obscene gestures Tuesday at the
For a time, some officials worried that a fatal
have another strip mall or V
Army troops in Watts. The soldiers stood
shooting by a National Guard contingent Sun-
store, black-owned or not
impassively.
day night could turn communities against the
whether true wealth can
"They treat us like dogs," Ronald C. Mathis, a
troops. Until then, no soldier or Marine had shot
come from making things.
South Los Angeles resident, said Saturday as he
a person during the riots.
In any case, they all agree
waited in a long line for his Social Security
too little has been done since
check. "They didn't have to call out the National
Guard. They' just trying to scare us with those
I
ni the wake of that shooting, Guard units
Watts riots rocked some of
patrolling the city were drilled on the rules of
same neighborhoods 27 years a,
guns, with the big guns."
engagement, which state that Guard members
"People are asking for what
Across Los Angeles, there were other scat-
can shoot to kill, but only if their lives or the
think is their share of the Am
tered signs of discontent. On Sunset Boulevard,
lives of others are threatened. Two investiga-
can dream," said Marva Sr
for instance, a resident hung a banner out the
Battle-Bey, executive directo
window demanding: "U.S. Out of Echo Park!"
tions into the Sunday night shooting-one by
In fact, the troops themselves say they have
LAPD and another by the military-are under
the Vermont Slauson Econo
way, but officials indicated that they believe the
Development Corp. "They W
no desire to be here any longer than they have
shooting was justified.
business opportunities; they W
to. Many members of the Guard have jobs to
Eager not to inflame the situation, the Guard
to have self-reliance. And t
return to, and rare is the Army soldier or Marine
took down its barricade at Pico Boulevard, near
don't want to be dependent
who joined up to patrol a Los Angeles city
other communities
Vermont Avenue, where the shooting occurred.
to
pro
street.
that."
There have been no flare-ups in the wake of
The job is far different than standing guard in
that shooting, however, and by the end of the
Battle-Bey's group develop
the deserts of Kuwait, soldiers said. The task is
day Tuesday, some officials breathed a sigh of
the Vermont Slauson Shopp
complicated by needing to show strength but
Center, which survived the unr
relief.
knowing that the use of it could trigger a
As for the residents of Los Angeles, some
Her group is also seeking
resurgence of violence.
admitted that they were a little uncomfortable
million of start-up capital to buil
about soldiers patrolling their streets, but most
plastics manufacturing plant t
A
S a result, the troops try to keep their
would employ 65 people.
distance. Army soldiers in Watts nervously
were willing to put up with that feeling if they
The corporation also found
get some peace in return.
Los Angeles Times
spied on a young man in Los Angeles Raiders
nancing in 1986 for an "incubat
clothes Tuesday as he passed back and forth
"It's kind of scary," said Maria Poole, a Long
Pheng stands
outside a shopping center perimeter. The man
Beach resident who was out walking Monday
for five light-manufacturing CO
panies. Under the incubator CC
in and Second
with her 2-year-old son, Derrick. "I never
appeared to be counting the number of soldiers,
cept, the firms share a comm
on Tuesday.
thought I'd see anything like this on our streets.
and the troops watched his every movement
It's strange, weird. But I'm glad they here."
low-rent building and rely
pooled accounting, marketing a
AMS: Aid to Poor Up Greatly Since 'Great Sc
receive welfare and other aid. But much of
education
families afloat.
it also reflects actions by Congress and the
"Public assistance succeeds in making
gaps in programs. The regulations govern-
courts, which have extended benefits to
ing the AFDC program, limit federal
ri
nown-and
families who would otherwise be destitute
more people.
welfare payments largely to female heads
su
(ory called
a little less destitute," Burtless said. "Food
Figures published Tuesday by the Office
of household, and other programs such as
ex
Children,
of Management and Budget show that
stamps raise the food intake of people
Medicaid are partly linked to AFDC.
th
primarily
living in poor households. Medicaid im-
overall assistance for low-income families
As a result, Robert Moffitt, a Brown
al
omes who
will have soared by 82% between fiscal
proves poor families' access to decent
University poverty specialist, points out
health care."
1989 and 1993-with Medicaid spending up
that only a few two-parent families receive
st:
are the
There also is disagreement over the
144%, welfare payments up 82% and
any federal benefits at all, and only a
he
h provides
outlays for food stamps up 64%.
impact of such programs in helping the
relative few qualify for AFDC, food stamps
to
or families
The growth rate for other programs is
or Medicaid.
sp
ntal Secu-
almost as spectacular: Outlays for Supple-
At the same time, most analysts agree
elds addi-
mental Security Income will be up 71%
'Most of the things that have
that existing federal programs designed to
mc
disabled.
from fiscal 1989; welfare, up 37%; earned
been tried or proposed make a
help prepare poor people for the job market
dis
S provides
income tax credits, up 37%; housing assist-
have had a mixed effect, providing some
for
purchase
ance, up 55%, and other income-security
modest difference at best in
marginal help in the case of single women,
gr
od stamps
programs, up 26%. The Head Start budget
the lives of the disadvantaged.
but-inexplicably-little for inner-city
the
di to pay
is up 127%.
men.
d housing
Just how well these programs have
The fact is, we don't know how
Precisely how to respond to the prob-
po
welfare
worked is a matter of perspective. Conser-
to change the life course of
lems highlighted by the Los Angeles riots
An
vatives contend that welfare eligibility
is a matter of serious debate between
tha
a dozen
rules encourage the breakup of families
impoverished individuals—
liberals and conservatives. The U.S. Con-
"m
ation and
and the birth of children out of wedlock,
although that isn't to say that
ference of Mayors has proposed a $35-bil-
pov
ies-from
and also discourage poor people from
lion aid program for cities, to be financed
SOO
preschool
taking jobs.
we shouldn't try.'
by federal funds.
aid for
"Insofar as they make people dependent
At the same time, conservatives are
inn
dren and
and have given them expectations that the
DOUGLAS J. BESHAROV
promoting plans that they say are designed
it f
federal government has been their perma-
American Enterprise Institute
to create new job opportunities in the
saio
nding for
nent nanny, they have done more harm
private sector and give poor people a
stion that
than good," said Carl Horowitz, a policy
poor improve their income levels over the
bigger economic stake in their communi-
or
from the
Foundation. analyst at the conservative Heritage
long term. Census Bureau figures show
ties to encourage them to reduce their
best
or Demo-
that despite the federal effort, 20.6% of
dependency on government grants.
said
Led either
"They've given them the welfare men-
Americans were below the poverty line in
Included in this category is a plan by
char
tality. That, in turn, leads to the crime
Jack Kemp, secretary of the Housing and
1990, compared to 22.9% in 1983 and 14%
indi
now that
mentality- you're not getting enough,
Urban Development Department, to create
in 1969. (A family of four with income of
we
programs
why not just take it?'' Horowitz
special urban enterprise zones, under
И
the gunfire that killed his compan-
or looti
ion became the first person
charged with a murder stemming
from the riots. Levelle Frederick
sponse,"
Williams-who is also accused of
told Bloc
firing at a police officer during the
all. I und
May 1 incident-was charged un-
at the lac
der the California law that holds a
Superv
criminal responsible for any death
ty grano
that occurs during the commission
police ag
of the crime. Williams has pleaded
the outse
not guilty and is being held without
mously
bail.
establish
Reginald O. Denny, the trucker
$10,000 re
who was savagely beaten by riot-
informati
ers during initial outbursts of vio-
and convi
lence, remained in good condition.
"If we
Three of his rescuers-Lei Yuille,
democrat
Terri Barnett and Titus Murphy-
countenar
were honored by the Los Angeles
form of ex
City Council, while another good
Edelman.
Samaritan, Gregory Alan Williams,
that we r
35, was saluted for helping a Japa-
unthinking
nese-American man who was
good peop
yanked from his car and beaten at
testify to t
5/6/92
Florence and Normandie avenues.
open court
A short
Pointing the Finger
Hall, Los A
Richard Al
In his sharpest criticism yet of
against "p
the LAPD, Sheriff Block described
said hinder
how he was watching television as
to respond
violence broke out at that intersec-
After the
tion. As he kept his eyes fixed on
sideration
the scene, he said, he expected that
$20 million
at "any second" he would see
velopment
TIMES
police arrive.
related rep
Block said that had he realized
"It's tragic
officers would not take action, he
issue, when
would have sent sheriff's deputies
their lives b
from his department's Firestone
hold up mo
station to intervene.
to help fami
"It's my belief a show of force at
men is wron
that location at that time might not
"We've g
have stopped everything, but cer-
petty little ti
tainly would have had a significant
Davis Ro:
impact," Block said.
Watts brar
Since the riots have abated, he
agreed.
added, he has been amazed to read
"I'm very
that there were 20 officers just a
should hav
block away from Florence and
"When I'm C
Normandie avenues when the riot-
you to call SO
ing broke out.
need you to
"That doesn't make any sense at
immediately.
all," he said.
But those
A spokesman for Police Chief
delay said t
Daryl F. Gates said the chief would
weigh a wide
not respond to Block's comments.
for city ser
Block said that he believed Los
ahead.
Angeles police officers "gave an
"To take S(
aura of legitimacy" to the looting
ly, in an emoti
when they stood by without taking
looking at ot
action-an image that was cap-
the devastate
tured in many televised news re-
devastated are
ports.
sible," said (
The sheriff noted that one looter
Braude. "We n
told a television reporter: "If this
ties for the Po
was wrong, the officers would have
Fire Departm
stopped me."
departments.
After Block's statements, the
"We need t
supervisors voted 4 to 1, with
city. We just c
Gloria Molina dissenting, to ask
nilly."
Gov. Pete Wilson to establish a
While all CO
commission to investigate the re-
they support re
sponse of law enforcement and the
CRA proposal
National Guard to the riot.
an ongoing dis
"There seems to have been a
close a city buc
breakdown of law enforcement re-
at $183 million.
Will
Riot Found Police in Disa
secute in
Cases
Officers Kept Out of Key 1
GLAS JEHL
NALD J. OSTROW,
FF WRITERS
LAPD: 1
HINGTON-Presi-
City Honors Heroes LA TIMES 5/6/92
at the scen
:sh said Tuesday
federal govern-
allow offic
tends to seek out
to trouble
ecute the murder-
onists and looters
Normandi
in the Los Angel-
didn't war
and is already re-
videotapes of the
he says.
to identify sus-
By TED ROHI
iministration later
and RICHAR
ed the formation of
TIMES STAFF WR
oint federal-state
cement task force
In the first
ould be dispatched
bloody unrest
Angeles to assist
for help by L
orities in bringing
poured into pc
ponsible for death
the field com
uction to justice.
flash point ket
ase see BUSH, A8
the area, orde:
command pos
reened out of d
A recording
Clinton
lice Departm
sions obtained
with intervie
Three
fire officials,
chaos and it
commanders
matched and
ry Races
with a crisis th
ed would erup
the Rodney G.
HOGAN
In his firs
L WRITER
incident, Lt.
77th Street L
GTON-President
charge of the It
6 prospective Demo-
ROBERT GABRIEL / Los Angeles Times
and Normand
nger, Bill Clinton,
Titus Murphy, left, and Gregory Alan Williams
helping victims of mob violence last Wednesday.
defended his d
ntial primaries Tues-
were among four heroes honored at City Hall.for
Also honored were Lei Yuille and Terri Barnett.
while bands
ndiana, North Caroli-
assaulted mot
trict of Columbia.
stores.
had nailed down the
""I didn't wa
eded to assure his
said of the off
before Tuesday's
THE TIMES POLL
in defeated his sole
Sheriff Blasts
mand. "It's rea
I didn't want 1
nservative columnist
L.A. Strongly Condemns
late. And I die
hanan.
LAPD Over Its
that area with
no began the night
es.'
hree-fourths of the
Moulin said
S required for a first-
y, turned back his
King Verdicts, Riots
Riot Response
police respon
"absolutely un
g active challenger,
we had initial
nia Gov. Edmund G.
n Jr. He also outdis-
By FRANK CLIFFORD
shared by the majority of residents.
miracle. That
And blacks were more optimistic
By KENNETH REICH
miracle."
Massachusetts Sen.
and DAVID FERRELL
gas, who suspended
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
than other groups that something
and STEPHANIE CHAVEZ
The police
good will come of the experiences
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
and interviews
last March but whose
By wide majorities, white, black
on the ballot.
of last week.
Moulin's decisi
and Latino residents of the city of
The street fighting was all but
dt polling, television
"Everything that usually turns
the riot help
Los Angeles condemn last week's
over, but in post-riot Los Angeles
real, real bad flip-flops over and
principal and
dicted that Clinton
Tuesday, new battles intensified as
ould win, and early
verdicts in the Rodney G. King
starts turning good." said Lonnie
questions surr
city leaders and law enforcement
ed to bear that out.
beating case and the rioting that
Carter, a 66-year-old retired auto
why it took S
followed, according to a Los An-
officials debated how the rioting
the vote tabulated in
mechanic who is black and was
enter the fiery
geles Times Poll.
was handled and how to repair its
raise new que:
if Columbia, Clinton
among- those surveyed. "I think
damage.
The poll found that 71% of Los
lice Departm
own's 7% and Tson-
whole lots of good will come out of
Speaking to the Los Angeles
Angeles residents disagreed
during the wo
ndiana, with 64% of
it. I think everybody will start
County Board of Supervisors,
ted, Clinton had 64%
strongly with the verdicts ren-
U.S. history:
living more closer together and
Sheriff Sherman Block lambasted
dered by the Simi Valley jury in
The Time:
1%, while Tsongas
stop having disagreements."
the Los Angeles Police Depart-
the trial of four Los Angeles police
thirds of the de
Results of The Times Poll show
ment, saying its initial response to
officers. And it found that 75%
captains were
arolina, with 69% of
that members of the city's three
the riots "didn't make any sense."
unted, Clinton had
believed that the violence sparked
seminar in Ox
largest ethnic groups held similar
He also accused police officers of
the verdicts in
S 10% and Tsongas'
by the verdicts was "totally unjus-
views on a number of issues relat-
lending "an aura of legitimacy" to
litted actually was
tified."
The depart
ing to the King verdicts and the
The poll, supervised by Times
a full-scale mg
1, with 15%.
riots.
RELATED STORIES, PICTURES:
publican side, Bush
Poll director John Brennan, inter-
cers until 8 pl
For instance, almost 80% said
A6-A8, A12, B1-B6
e vote in the District
viewed 888 city residents Sunday
hours into the
they sympathized with the anger
o Buchanan's 18%,
and Monday. It has a margin of
said. By then.
of the black community over the
e vote recorded. The
error of plus or minus 4 percentage
verdicts, and there was a widely
the looting by their failure to take
indicate, un
-80% in Indiana, to
points.
quick action.
throughout the
shared view that the local criminal
%, with 59% of the
A majority of African-Ameri-
Amid angry rhetoric, mean-
buildings were
justice system is biased against:
And, in North Caro-
while, a bitterly divided Los An-
less stores wer
cans-58%-joined in the condem-
blacks and Latinos. But the poll
1% to the challeng-
nation of the rioting. But nearly
geles=City Council postponed con-
Angry city
also revealed marked differences,
71% counted.
one-third-32%-considered the
particularly in the attitudes of
sideration of a proposal to spend
ed Gates' conte
an the night with
violence partially justified, even
blacks and whites toward the caus-
$20 million to repair small busi-
response to crit
es pledged to him,
though virtually all blacks in the
nesses and housing destroyed in
ing the riots W
es of the unrest and about who
2 for Brown and 538
survey-97%-said their neigh-
last week's rioting.
because police
The three primaries
bears responsibility for the vio-
borhoods suffered some damage.
In other major developments
fighters. Fire (
lence.
vide 178 delegates
At the same time, almost half the
Tuesday:
fact, they got (
City leaders got low marks for
blacks surveyed did not think that
One day after promising $600
tion during the
lease see RACES, A5
their handling of the crisis last
the violence was inevitable, a view
million in loans and cash grants to
disturbances,
Please see POLL. A6
Please see UNREST. A7
eally
the agency, fueled by data showing
Much as epidemiologists descend
community leaders, Roper said
more prone to violence ti
the enormous toll that violence
on an outbreak of measles to try to
Tuesday in a telephone interview
during
POLL: 71% in L.A. Disagree Strongly
THE TIMES POLL
Verdicts in I
and
With Verdict in Rodney King Case
and Violenc
Continued from A1
A broad consensus of P
eople
week. Nearly three-fourths of all
How the Poll Was Conducted
resulting violence was
residents said the leaders reacted
and
too slowly. Also, Police Chief Daryl
The Times Poll interviewed 888 Los Angeles city adults, by
F. Gates came in for stronger
Do you agree or disagn
telephone, May 3 and 4. Telephone numbers were chosen from a list
criticism than Mayor Tom Bradley.
Rodney King beating
of all exchanges in the city. Random-digit dialing techniques were
Nearly 50% of the people ques-
used to ensure that both listed and non-listed numbers had an
tioned said that Gates hurt rather
opportunity to be contacted. Interviewing was conducted in English
Agree strongly
than helped the situation after the
and Spanish. Results were weighted slightly to conform with census
Agree somewhat
verdicts, and 13% cited Gates
figures for sex, race, age and household size. The margin of sampling
'You
among the causes of the rioting.
Disagree somewhat
error for percentages based on the total sample is plus or minus 4
Regarding Bradley, 50% be-
percentage points. For certain subgroups, the error margin is
Disagree strongly
lieved that the mayor had no effect
somewhat higher.
Don't know
on what happened after the ver-
dicts. Only 5% said he was one of
the causes of the riots.
Do you think the viole
"One thing that must happen is
gation that could lead to prosecu-
no social or political statement.
after the King beating
that Gates must go," said Henry
tion of the four officers for
"Most of those people who joined
totally unjustified?
is
Richardson, 50, a retired equip-
violating King's federal civil rights.
did it for fun," said Richard-
ment inspector for the Los Angeles
guys
And 58%, including a majority of
son, a Wilshire district resident.
Unified School District. "He has no
to
blacks surveyed. said they are
"They saw things out there to be
Totally justified
sympathy for minorities. He is one
confident that justice will be done
taken and they took things out of
Partly justified
don't
of the problems. No one is going to
if the four policemen are tried on
the stores. It didn't have anything
respond positively to him. He's still
Totally unjustified
such charges.
to do with that Rodney King
making idiotic statements. He
Don't know
The poll found that among all
incident."
needs to get on out of there."
residents, 21% considered last
When people were asked by the
Richardson, who is black, added:
week's rioting "partially justified.
poll who or what was responsible
"I don't think Bradley has an effect
for the violence, 27% blamed it on
How angry would you
Robert Knowles, 48, a white
is
on the city one way or another
thugs, gangs and agitators; 19%
occurred in recent day
resident of Silver Lake, was among
here
right now."
those who described the rioting as
cited anger over the King verdicts
A majority of residents-53%-
as well as a generalized sense of
Very angry
disapproved of the way the Police
partially justified, except for the
murders and beatings of people in
rage and frustration, and 16%
Moderately angry
the streets.
pointed to poverty, bad economic
THE TIMES
But running through the streets
conditions and lack of jobs. Only
Not too angry
POLL
and setting things on fire, I can
8% singled out racism as a cause of
Not angry at all
esman
understand that," Knowles said. "I
the violence.
Don't know
can understand how the rage got
Blacks and Anglos were not in
Department handled themselves in
out of hand."
accord on the subject of responsi-
the days after the verdicts, while
As a press coordinator for Los
bility, with 37% of whites and only
Would you say the LA
43% expressed their support of
Angeles County Supervisorial can-
10% of blacks blaming the violence
broke out in the hours
that effort.
didate Diane Watson, Knowles said
on thugs and gangs. Conversely,
announced, or too slow
way
An overwhelming number of
he has come to know the black
13% of whites cited rage over the
residents-80%-thought that the
community. In discussing blame
King verdicts, compared to 22% of
police reacted too slowly when
for the disturbances, he said: "You
blacks and 24% of Latinos.
Too quickly
violence broke out last Wednesday
can blame [the rioters] in a legal
The three ethnic groups also
Too slowly
evening. Asked why they thought
sense, in a criminal sense, but I
tended to see things somewhat
As they should
the police response was slow, a
think a lot of people didn't intend to
differently when asked if responsi-
the
plurality of blacks said they be-
commit violent acts and got caught
bility for the rioting lay more with
Don't know
lieved that the delay was deliber-
up [in it]. I didn't think it was [a
society or with the residents of
The Times Poll interviewed 88
ate, while a plurality of whites and
response] so much to the King
South-Central Los Angeles, where
to
four percentage points in eith
Latinos said the police were not
verdicts, but to the economic, the
much of the violence occurred.
race
prepared for the massive outbreak.
lack of jobs
not knowing what
Overall, more than 60% blamed
Looking to the future of law
else to do."
society, but 35% of whites and 30%
enforcement in Los Angeles, 66%
Anslom Beamon, 43, a black
of Latinos pointed to South-Cen-
aged.
applauded the choice of Philadel-
woman who lives on 103rd Street
tral residents, as opposed to 9% of
Yet, 37% of whites-a
phia Police Chief Willie L. Wil-
in Watts, decried the violence, but
the blacks.
than any other group-
raged
liams as Gates' successor.
said she understood the anger and
felt physically threaten-
Almost 70% of those surveyed
Along with the 71% who disa-
frustration that prompted the ran-
the violence last week
greed strongly with the King ver-
expressed optimism that the city
sacking of stores.
both blacks and Latinos.
could heal itself. Blacks were the
of
dict, an additional 10% said they
"It's wrong to take from any-
they felt threatened.
disagreed somewhat. And nearly
most hopeful and whites the least.
body," she said. "But what do you
Asked what the healin
three-fourths said that the jury in
do when you don't have?"
Kate Templeton, a black resident
will require, 28% of
in
the King case should have included
Although she did not take part in
of the Crenshaw District, said of
surveyed said it will in'
blacks. Just over 70% felt that the
the looting, Beamon said she can-
the healing process, "I think it's
newed efforts among I
videotape of the police beating was
not blame those who did, especially
starting now. A lot of people are
communicate, get togethe
evidence enough to convict the
the young people who grow up in
just upset and really appalled at
derstand one another.
four police officers accused in the
such underprivileged surround-
what's happened. They don't want
20% stressed the need to
case.
ings.
this. They want to get along with
the economy; 12% said
ights
Two-thirds of city residents said
"We were just getting back what
everyone. They don't want this
must be improved; 11% c:
four
that the local criminal justice sys-
was rightfully ours," she said. "We
devastation in their neighborhoods.
tem needs some measure of im-
don't get half the opportunity that
And they're going forward to help
provement, and 37% said it ought
they give anybody else."
in their communities and other
to be overhauled. Also, 61% said
Richardson, the retired school
communities with the cleanup."
they viewed the legal system as
equipment inspector, was among
Although virtually all of the
unfair to blacks; 54% said it is
the majority who could find no
blacks surveyed said their neigh-
unfair to Latinos.
excuse for the rioting. The verdicts
borhoods suffered damage during
Los Ange
Nearly 90% of those surveyed
triggered anger stemming from
the rioting, 67% of Latinos and
Recycling for an
applauded the U.S. Justice Depart-
many past injustices, he said, but
48% of whites said their neighbor-
ment's decision to begin an investi-
for many of the rioters, there was
hoods were at least slightly dam-
health trans
11 may seem obvious that pover-
ments. The study. by researchers
and reciem are dry
at UC Berkeley and the Universi-
for social unrest. but scien-
dad de Chile in Santiago, focused
hard data" to pinpoint
on 161 healthy, pregnant women
said Dr. Caswell A. Ev-
living in high violence areas of
Los Angeles County's chief
Santiago during 1986.
Balson to the CDC effort.
The study is believed by its
70 that doctors 1119
How do violent incidents OC
authors to be the first measuring
against an illness so
cur? Evans asked, enumerating
the consequences of a violent envi-
experts will try to
questions the investigators are
ronment on-pregnancy outcomes-
blueprint for violence
likely to address. How do they
evidence of how new this area of
cluster? Is one violent incident
epidemiological inquiry still is.
want to come up with
likely to lead to another? Under
"Frankly, not enough is known
that we can offer to
what conditions? Is one age group
about violence," Evans said. "In
ty
leaders," Roper said
more prone to violence than anoth-
order to prevent it, we have to
in a telephone interview
eΓ?"
understand it much better."
Strongly
THE TIMES POLL
Verdicts in Rodney King Case
Case
and Violence in the Streets
A broad consensus of Angelenos opposed the verdicts but felt that the
resulting violence was unjustified.
THE VERDICT
Ky adults, by
Do you agree or disagree with the jury's verdict of not guilty in the
chosen from a list
Rodney King beating trial?
techniques were
Timbers had an
ALL
WHITE
BLACK
LATINO
conducted in English
Agree strongly
8%
12%
4%
5%
conform with census
Agree somewhat
5
8
--
2
margin of sampling
Disagree somewhat
10
12
3
plus or minus 4
12
from margin is
Disagree strongly
71
58
93
77
Don't know
6
10
4
THE VIOLENCE
Do you think the violence that has occurred on the streets of L.A.
political statement.
after the King beating trial verdict is totally or partly justified. or
those people who joined
totally unjustified?
for fun," said Richard-
ALL
ilshire district resident.
WHITE
BLACK
LATINO
V things out there to be
Totally justified
3%
3%
5%
3%
they took things out of
Partly justified
21
15
32
21
It didn't have anything
Totally unjustified
75
81
58
76
th that Rodney King
Don't know
1
1
5
eople were asked by the
THE ANGER
or what was responsible
lence, 27% blamed it on
How angry would you say you are about the violence that has
ags and agitators; 19%
occurred in recent days on the streets of Los Angeles?
over the King verdicts
ALL
WHITE
BLACK
LATINO
a generalized sense of
Very angry
63%
68%
50%
63%
frustration, and 16%
Moderately angry
22
poverty, bad economic
19
30
22
and lack of jobs. Only
Not too angry
7
5
6
7
out racism as a cause of
Not angry at all
6
7
10
6
e.
Don't know
2
1
4
nd Anglos were not in
2
the subject of responsi-
THE RESPONSE
37% of whites and only
ks blaming the violence
Would you say the LAPD reacted too quickly to the violence that
and gangs. Conversely,
broke out in the hours after the King beating verdict was
ites cited rage over the
announced, or too slowly, or just about as they should have?
cts, compared to 22% of
ALL
WHITE
BLACK
LATINO
24% of Latinos.
Too quickly
1%
1%
2%
1%
ee ethnic groups also
Too slowly
80
75
82
84
see things, somewhat
when asked if responsi-
As they should
16
21
14
13
e rioting lay more with
Don't know
3
3
2
2
with the residents of
ral Los Angeles, where
The Times Poll interviewed 888 residents of the city of Los Angeles, with a margin of error of
violence occurred.
four percentage points in either direction.
more than 60% blamed
35% of whites and 30%
pointed to South-Cen-
aged.
harder crackdown on gangs, drugs
ts, as opposed to 9% of
Yet, 37% of whites-a bit more
and lawlessness, and an equal
than any other group-said they
number spoke of the need for more
0% of those surveyed
felt physically threatened during
government financial aid.
optimism that the city
the violence last week. Among
Ben Baca, 46, a Latino who
itself. Blacks were the
both blacks and Latinos, 33% said
works as an auto painter for the
il and whites the least.
they felt threatened.
city of Los Angeles, expressed
Asked what the healing process
long-range optimism about the
pleton, a black resident
will require, 28% of all those
city's prospects, saying: "After
ishaw District, said of
surveyed said it will involve re-
World War II in Europe, every-
process, "I think it's
newed efforts among groups to
thing was so devastated, and peo-
N. A lot of people are
communicate, get together and un-
ple managed to put their lives
and really appalled at
derstand one another. Just over
together. It takes time. This is
ened. They don't want
20% stressed the need to improve
nothing compared to that. [But] it
ant to get along with
the economy; 12% said education
"hey don't want this
will leave a scar, let's put it that
must be improved; 11% called for a
way."
n their neighborhoods.
going forward to help
mmunities and other
with the cleanup."
virtually all of the
eyed said their neigh-
ffered damage "during
Los Angeles Times
67% of Latinos and
Recycling for an abundant future.
es said their neighbor-
at least slightly dam-
rp., a venture capital fund in the
Most industry
riot-induced sales slump to be
the thousands who lost their homes and jobs
The main thrust is to get
were not prospective new car buyers in the first place
capital into business in
"We're talking small, small numbers here." said bel
Pitcoff, a sales analyst at Ford Motor Co. "Where there
ways that, if successful,
may be some impact on business is in truck sales. If and
uld make entrepreneurial
when the reconstruction effort is launched, that should
building a model for cities
JORGE MUJICA / La Opinion
Please see AUTOS, B7
Bankers and other civic leaders touring devastated area stand outside destroyed South-Central L.A. building.
everywhere.'
Bankers Taken on Tour of Riot-Torn L.A.
tts area, became fully subscribed
25 million after the trouble start-
New Kidney Cancer
The fund will invest $100,000 to
Recovery: The organizers hope to prod
Bryant. Jenkins in particular has been outspoken in trying
0,000 in individual businesses.
to prod banks into lending to rebuild.
he USC graduate business school
banks into lending to rebuild devastated
Talking through a microphone, he was part tour guide,
organizing a pool of credit for
neighborhoods.
part community activist as he pleaded for banks to help and
Drug OKd by FDA
Il businesses, which would have
chided them for having so little presence in southern Los
benefit of counseling from the
Angeles over the years.
bol's MBA students.
By JAMES BATES
TIMES STAFF WRITER
"These were thriving mini-malls that disappeared
Medicine: Approval is good news for
ank of America announced a $25-
within a matter of two days," Jenkins said as the buses rode
patients in which the disease has spread, and
ion program of three-year loans
C
all it a Gray Line-like tour of an inner-city
down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. One relatively
amount to equity backing. The
meltdown.
intact supermarket, he said, was spared thanks to either
for troubled Chiron Corp.
k will collect only nominal interest
Inside was hot coffee, doughnuts and a television set
"the fire department or a short match."
three years in hopes that the
broadcasting the "Sally Jessy Raphael" talk show. Men in
No firm commitments came out of the tour, but that
By MARTHA GROVES
ll-company borrower can then
suits sat in plush, burgundy-colored seats, some of them
wasn't expected. Some banks have disclosed some charita-
TIMES STAFF WRITER
ify for normal credit.
talking on portable telephones as an air conditioner
ble donations and immediate relief programs to help
arger programs could be possible.
hummed. Traveling alongside, in front and behind were
still unclear.
S
AN FRANCISCO-The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-
rebuilding. How big a long-term program there will be is
m
Washington, Secretary of
tration on Tuesday approved the nation's first drug to
five Los Angeles Police Department cars, escorting about
treat kidney cancer that has spread beyond that
sing and Urban Development
40 sightseers in the two luxury buses. Two Los Angeles
Kemp was resurrecting his pro-
police officers were also aboard each bus.
enkins acknowledged that the route of the three-hour
organ, a disease that typically claims its victims within a
1 for enterprise zones, in which
This was the VIP tour of the riot devastation that Los
tour was to some extent designed for its shock value,
year of diagnosis.
stors in small business in needy
Angeles-area bankers got Tuesday morning.
something to show people exposed to the rioting only
The approval of Proleukin-a genetically engineered
S would get tax deferrals or tax
through CNN or local news stations. Moving nonstop
"orphan drug" developed by biotechnology pioneer Cetus
Aboard were vice presidents and senior vice presidents
Corp., now part of Chiron Corp.-should buoy the hopes of
veness.
from such large institutions as City National Bank and
through every traffic light, even red ones, the buses moved
the nearly 10,000 patients diagnosed each year with kidney
emp's enterprise zones ideas,
Wells Fargo Bank, one of whom flew down from San
across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, into the
cancer. To date, there has been no treatment once the
h have failed to become law in
Francisco just for the tour. Presidents of smaller institu-
Crenshaw District, up Vermont Avenue with a brief drive
ious sessions of Congress, are
cancer has spread.
tions rode along. Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn
by Koreatown. Block after block, youths in baseball caps
getting a boost from concern
It is also a boon for Chiron, which has suffered steep
was there, as was sportscaster and actress Jayne Kennedy.
and mothers with children stared curiously at the passing
it Los Angeles.
losses since buying Cetus last year in a stock swap valued
The organizers were Carlton Jenkins, managing partner
motorcade.
at $660 million.
e promised incentives are im-
of Founders National Bank, the only black-owned com-
The bus passed the shell of a furniture store, but with
sive to business people-income
"This is the first approval for Chiron that we'll sell on
mercial bank in Los Angeles, and businessman John
Please see TOUR, B6
deductions of up to $50,000 a year
our own." said Larry Kurtz, a spokesman for the company.
which is based in the East Bay industrial city of
nvestments in zone businesses;
capital gains taxes on property
Emeryville. The company's other products are licensed or
stments; income tax credits to
A Slow Day for Movies, Eateries and Malls
sold through joint ventures.
Kurtz said the product, which has been available in
oyers on wages paid in zone
Europe for two years, is expected to generate first-year
nesses.
be sure, state-run enterprise
By CARLA LAZZARESCHI
it's just back to business as usual."
U.S. revenue of $15 million and ultimately could reel in
exist in 37 states and have no
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Kyser said that while he is confident that residents will
$100 million annually if other uses are approved. A full
c formula for success. As in all
soon return to their normal habits, he fears that tourism,
course of treatment is expected to cost $6,000 to $8,000, not
ness, some small companies
e, many more fail to do so.
R
estaurants, theaters and shopping centers through-
which contributes about $7 billion to the local economy,
including the approximately $30,000 cost of the required
out Los Angeles reported lighter-than-usual busi-
will be irreparably harmed for the remainder of the year.
hospitalization.
t then the record these days, say
ness Monday and Tuesday, sparking concerns that it
"Let's face it," said Michael Collins of the Los Angeles
Industry analysts and medical experts said the approval
ure capitalists, is that two start-
may be weeks or months before business returns to
Visitors and Convention Bureau with a bit of hyperbole,
bodes well for Chiron, the biotech industry and kidney
ompanies succeed out of every 15.
normal-even in areas not primarily affected by last
"it's difficult to sustain enthusiasm to visit a destination
cancer patients, despite the drug's potentially deadly side
e rest, perhaps eight companies
week's rioting.
that is still principally populated by soldiers."
effects.
cquired and five fail outright.
Merchants said residents remain nervous and uncertain
Collins said that although current tourist traffic is lower
"It's very positive given the FDA's problems with other
if the question is: Can entre-
about leaving their homes, even to engage in their favorite
than usual-the cause of a significant vacancy rate in many
biotech companies," said John McCamant. publisher of the
Please see FLANIGAN, B7
pastimes of dining out, watching movies or shopping-de-
of the city's hotels-no major conventions have as yet
Medical Technology Stock Letter. a Berkeley newsletter
spite Mayor Tom Bradley's decision Monday to lift the
canceled reservations for future
that follows such stocks.
Oil Firms Plan to Rebuild Gas Stations
Energy: Chevron and Arco
Hills that he has already been in contact with
total of looted or burned to 50 static
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, as well as
including two each in Las Vegas and Oakla
have made commitments to help
Peter Ueberroth, who is directing rebuilding
"It is too early to say what specific
stricken areas.
efforts.
Arco will play in any upcoming effort
Chevron, Derr added, is sending $20,000 in
rebuild the devastated areas," Cook said,
immediate aid to the Los Angeles Conserva-
I assure you that we'll be part of any ef
By MICHAEL PARRISH
tion Corps, a private, nonprofit cleanup group,
that has broad community support."
TIMES STAFF WRITER
and $60,000 to the local Red Cross-the latter
Arco will definitely rebuild the five bur
hevron Corp. Chairman and Chief Ex-
earmarked for families made homeless in the
C
stations that it owns directly, but six of
ecutive Kenneth T. Derr said Tuesday
disturbances. Derr said the company has also
burned stations are owned by private
that the oil company intends to reopen
sent letters to Chevron credit card holders in
erators-"so we can't speak for then
seven Chevron stations badly damaged in last
the affected area, offering to negotiate delays
George Babikian, president of Arco Produ
week's violence and to help in other ways to
in their payment schedules-a standard offer
Co., clarified after the meeting.
rebuild stricken neighborhoods in Los Angel-
made by the company in such crises.
Lodwrick M. Cook, chairman and chief
es.
A
rco has about 500 service stations in I
executive of Atlantic Richfield Co., told
Angeles and parts of Orange Cour
Los Angeles-based Atlantic Richfield Co.,
shareholders at Arco's annual stockholders
where it has about 25% of the mark
considered to be the hardest hit of the
meeting Monday that 11 Arco stations had
Chevron has 250 stations in roughly the sa
branded gasoline retailers, made a similar
been burned and 36 looted, at an estimated $5
area.
pledge on Monday. The company, which sells
million to $10 million in damage. Though as
Judy Roberson, legislative coordinator
one out of four gallons of gas in the Los
many as 132 stations were out of service for
governmental affairs for the Southern Ca
Angeles area, will rebuild five Arco-owned
lack of fuel at the worst point over the
fornia Service Station Assn., estimated Tue
stations that were destroyed.
weekend, Cook added, most are already back
day that a total of 70 gas stations in the L
Chevron's Derr told a sparsely attended
in business, including some that were looted
Angeles area were either burned or loot
annual shareholders' meeting in Beverly
or damaged. Tuesday, Arco expanded the
badly enough that they had to be closed.
TOUR: Bankers
MALLS: Slov
Get an Eyeful
Day for Most
of Destruction
Merchants
Continued from B5
Continued from B5
the window intact advertising its
Bryman. But there have bee
"blowout sale." One banker point-
half the usual number of
ed out the juxtaposition of a
patrons, despite the fact th
charred liquor store on one side of
area was spared any direct
Vermont with tranquil USC tennis
from the riots.
courts on the other. Hahn noted
At Lawry's Prime Rib
that drug dealers his office had
Cienega and Wilshire boulev
tried to clear out of an area off
bit closer to some of the riot-
Olympic Boulevard were still
areas, business was off 40%
hanging out in the parking lot of a
day night, according to g
charred shopping center.
manager Brian Monfort. "W
expected that it would take
S
tops were made at shopping
get back to normal," he said
centers and burned-out blocks
even feared that all of May
so the bankers could step between
be hurt.'
the twisted metal and some still-
However, Monfort and
smoldering buildings that one
restaurant managers said
week ago were thriving stores.
reservations for Mothers' Da
"You have to touch it, and feel it
upcoming high school and C
and smell it," said David C. Lizar-
raga, chief executive of the parent
company of Community Thrift &
'We had expected tha
Loan in East Los Angeles.
At each stop, 10 or more police
would take time to E
officers, some with weapons ready,
back to normal.'
stood guard. Some on the tour were
uncomfortable with the level of
BRIAN MONFORT
police-required security, as if it
Lawry's Prime Rib
further highlighted the gulf be-
tween the bankers and the people
on the street.
graduation celebrations are
"This gives the wrong impres-
couraging, and have led SO)
sion. It's overkill," said Wells Far-
JORGE MUJICA / La Opinion
believe that the worst may
go Senior Vice President Harold D.
Lee. Added Julia M. Williams,
Resident with his two daughters makes point to tour members.
passed for businesses outsid
directly affected areas.
director of business and finance for
Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy: "The mes-
There were burned out shells of
working with city officials.
W
hile restaurateurs look
sage it sends is that you can't go
branches that did operate in the
At one point, an angry man with
ward to Mothers' Day
into the area without this kind of
area, one that had been operated
two young daughters interrupted a
graduations, theater operator
police escort."
by Bank of America and another
stop on Vermont Avenue. He
pinning their hopes on the up
There also were constant re-
by Home Savings.
wasn't part of the planned pro-
ing release of "Lethal Weapo
minders of the ongoing conflict
Throughout the tour, Jenkins
gram, but wanted to make a few
on May 15 and "Aliens III" or
between southern Los Angeles and
criticized banks for having an in-
points in no particular order.
22 to get moviegoers back
the banking industry, which has
adequate "delivery system'
There were black-owned busi-
their usual habits.
long been accused of having too
few offices and branches- get
nesses in the area, he said. but
At the Century City Mall,
little presence in the area. There
credit to people in southern Los
"gangs stuck guns in their faces"
area spared direct impact 0
was a block-long line at a check
Angeles who need Steven C.
and they left. The conflict in-Los
riots, foot traffic was down 30
cashing store, one of the many that
Hall, a senior vice president for
Angeles isn't "a black-Korean'
Monday and Tuesday from no
have flourished because so few
Wells Fargo, acknowledged that
thing, he said. And social scientists
levels, according to-manager
banks provide the service. A Home
the system is inadequate, but said
should have seen it all coming, but
Sumell, who nevertheless
Savings branch had a line half a
the major banks are trying to
didn't. Having been heard, he led
pressed confidence that bus
block long at its automated teller.
improve it through a coalition
his daughters away.
will soon resume its routine pa
SACRAMENTO / BRADLEY INMAN
DRUG: New
Politicians of All Stripes lump
Kidney
genume.
He spotted a man in his store once
he knew was a shoplifter. But he also
assistance are made. But leaders
knew he was hungry. After the guy
had wandered around for a while,
in the black community disagree
Leon got tired of watching him and
said, "For God's sake, man, steal
something and leave." He did.
Police Wary of Gang Members' Truce
over how to accomplish the
rebuilding.
Leon has been mugged and robbed
a few times, but that hasn't changed
County Probation Department.
said a 29-year-old 74 Hoover Crip called
By PATRICK LEE
his attitude a damned bit as far as I
Alliance: Clergy and youth
"We received intelligence well in ad-
"Oz Dog," who openly wore both red and
TIMES STAFF WRITER
can tell. He still gives things away.
counselors see their cooperation
vance of the [Rodney G. King] verdict that
blue clothes in a symbolic marriage of the
This began when he saw people
colors that traditionally have been enough
While community leaders argued over
there would be certain informal truces
taking produce from trash bins behind
as essential to rebuilding
among gangs," said Los Angeles Police
to invite fatal fire if worn on the wrong
the new direction economic development
should take in areas devastated by last
the store. The next day he put up a
riot-torn areas. But police fear
Cmdr. Ronald Banks. "There is a belief and
turf.
sign that said, "If you're broke and
perception now that
they
are
directing
"You're going to see a lot of red and blue
week's riots, more help rolled in Tuesday
hungry, come in and ask for Leon."
organized retaliation against law
together. You see it on me now, don't you?"
from philanthropic groups, the South Coast
their efforts towards police."
They were lined up for three blocks
Banks and other police officials said their
said Oz Dog, standing on a busy street
Air Quality Management District and oth-
the next day, Leon says, and he knew
enforcement.
intelligence gathering had gleaned several
corner in South Los Angeles.
ers in industry.
he couldn't keep that up.
Clergy and community activists say such
At the same time, the Rebuild L.A. task
indications that gangs were banding to-
He tried leaving canned food on a
By LOUIS SAHAGUN
a truce could be the perfect opportunity to
force headed by Peter V. Ueberroth held its
rack outside with a sign that said
gether to harm police, including fresh
and LESLIE BERGER
graffiti throughout the city stating, "LAPD
reach out to gangbangers, steer them away
first meeting in what promises to be a
"Take some, leave some," but one
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
187" with "187" being a reference to the
from crime and include them in jobs and
long-and contentious-effort.
person would take it all so he quit that
too and began giving food to places
state penal code for homicide.
training programs. One minister, the Rev.
Among the new aid efforts Tuesday:
S
ome longtime rival gang members in
But gang members maintained Tuesday
Edgar E. Boyd of the Bethel African
Two dozen corporate foundations and
like convalescent homes instead.
the Bloods and the Crips have reached
Methodist Episcopal Church on South
philanthropic groups met to discuss ways
Why was his store spared during
a purported truce that church and
they were negotiating truces because they
the riots? "This is a violence-free
recognized the need to set aside differences
Western Avenue, said his congregation
to coordinate financial and other help.
community activists hope will redeem
disaffected youths but that police fear
plans to meet with gang members Friday to
They agreed to provide food, shelter and
zone," Leon says with a laugh, then
and protect each other from the police-
discuss including them in the rebuilding of
free legal assistance to afflicted communi-
adds simply, "They're my friends."
signals a possible organized retaliation
whom they feared would unfairly target
Three hundred years ago John
effort against law enforcement.
them for criminal prosecution in the after-
riot-torn neighborhoods.
ties, and to study longer-term aid, said
Donne wrote, "No man is an island,
math of last week's looting and arson. So
"They have tremendous influence and
Terri Jones, vice president for programs at
As optimistic clergy and youth counsel-
entire of itself; every man is a piece of
ors spoke of the chance to involve gang
far the truce effort has involved only a
extraordinary constituencies," Boyd said.
the private California Community Founda-
handful of the estimated 90,000 active gang
"They demand being involved, and I sup-
tion.
the continent."
members in rebuilding riot-torn Los An-
Here's a guy who lives that credo
geles on Tuesday, warnings of planned
members in the county, community activ-
port their demand."
The AQMD said that it would waive
every day of his life, and it works. If
ists said.
Immam Aziz, a Muslim leader who
pollution-control fees for businesses that
guerrilla attacks against officers were be-
ing circulated among Los Angeles police
"Instead of shooting each other we
hosted 30 Bloods and Crips in his storefront
want to rebuild in the same location with
only we all did that. If only we were
Please see ALLIANCE, B4
Please see HELP, B4
all like Leon Lasken.
and sheriff's deputies and the Los Angeles
decided to fight together for black power,"
Two
edged
sword
of
truce
LA
TIMES
5/6/92
B4
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
RIOT AFTERMATH
ALLIANCE:
Rival Gangs
Seek a Role
Continued from B1
mosque in Inglewood Tuesday, said
that "to even work together they
have to not shoot each other, and
that is a major step.
"They really want to come into
the mainstream of the community
and provide leadership because
they are leaders in our community
whether we like it or not," Aziz
said.
One gang member who attended
the mosque meeting expressed
skepticism that a truce can hold
with so many grudges on the street
over felled comrades.
"It's hard to have peace with
somebody who's caused me so
much grief," said Spud, an Ingle-
wood Center Park Blood. But he
added: "If don't happen now, it'll
SCOTT
never happen."
A member of an Inglewood gang speaks to media at news conference about allianci
There was also skepticism in the
Crenshaw District, where an 18-
year-old Crip said bluntly, "This
Capt. John Mutz. "We're con-
attacks against agency offices by
ain't gonna last."
cerned with the number of guns on
gangs hoping to destroy criminal
Law enforcement authorities
the street and ammunition. We're
records. The memo also warned of
said that, if a truce has been struck,
concerned about the availability of
planned sniper attacks against po-
weapons to them and threats to
lice once federal troops and Na-
it is the motive that most concerns
them, especially in light of a hand-
police officers. So it's very real."
tional Guardsmen left the city,
written flier obtained by the Police
A police spokesman said the
Probation Director Barry Nidorf
Department.
department was concerned about
said.
It declares "open season on
the flier but did not feel unduly
One probation supervisor who
LAPD" and urges gang unity in the
threatened, especially with a
read the document said it alleged
name of King and Latasha Harlins,
heavy military presence in the
that gang members had looted
the black teen-ager who was fatal-
city.
pawn shops and gun stores during
ly shot by a Korean grocer who in
"We won't ignore it and we'll
the riots to stock up on weapons
turn was placed on probation.
accept it for what it is. Somebody
and ammunition, including "ar-
"To all Crips and Bloods," the
has put it out," said Lt. John
mor-piercing bullets."
flier states, "Let's unit and dont
Dunkin. He added, "There's really
gangbang and let it be a black
not too awfully much you can do.
Nidorf said he advised his staff to
thing for the little black girl and
You can't just go out and indiscrim-
take the warnings seriously and to
the homie Rodney King. An eye for
inately round people up."
arrange for increased police patrol.
an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If LAPD
At the county Probation Depart-
Nidorf said he was unsure of the
hurt a black we'll kill two. Pow.
ment Tuesday, supervisors were
initial source of the information,
KIRK
Pow. Pow."
shown copies of a memo written by
and sheriff's officials with knowl-
"We're taking it very seriously,"
the sheriff's emergency operation
edge of the memo could not be
Gangs' mess
said Van Nuys Division Police
reached.
out building
center, which warned of possible
TROOPS: Taste of L.A. Li
Continued from B3
from the rooftops, relaying
been welcoming, there are those who see the
in the parking lot.
soldiers as an occupying force and want only for
"We're just keeping an
them to leave. Some carloads of people honked
officer said. "We don't wan
and made obscene gestures Tuesday at the
For a time, some official
Army troops in Watts. The soldiers stood
shooting by a National Gu
impassively.
day night could turn com
"They treat us like dogs," Ronald C. Mathis, a
troops. Until then, no soldi
South Los Angeles resident, said Saturday as he
a person during the riots.
waited in a long line for his Social Security
check. "They didn't have to call out the National
I
n the wake of that SI
Guard. They're just trying to scare us with those
patrolling the city were
guns, with the big guns."
engagement, which state
Across Los Angeles, there were other scat-
can shoot to kill, but only
tered signs of discontent. On Sunset Boulevard,
lives of others are threat
for instance, a resident hung a banner out the
tions into the Sunday nig
window demanding: "U.S. Out of Echo Park!"
LAPD and another by th
In fact, the troops themselves say they have
way, but officials indicate
no desire to be here any longer than they have
shooting was justified.
to. Many members of the Guard have jobs to
Eager not to inflame th
return to, and rare is the Army soldier or Marine
took down its barricade at
who joined up to patrol a Los Angeles city
Vermont Avenue, where
There have been no fla
street.
The job is far different than standing guard in
that shooting, however,
the deserts of Kuwait, soldiers said. The task is
day Tuesday, some offici
complicated by needing to show strength but
relief.
knowing that the use of it could trigger a
As for the residents
admitted that they were
resurgence of violence.
about soldiers patrolling
S a result, the troops try to keep their
were willing to put up W
A
distance. Army soldiers in Watts nervously
get some peace in return.
spied on a young man in Los Angeles Raiders
"It's kind of scary." sa
ROBERT DURELL / Los Angeles Times
clothes Tuesday as he passed back and forth
Beach resident who was
National Guardsman Thang Pheng stands
outside a shopping center perimeter. The man
with her 2-year-old
Main
number
of
soldiers.
thought I'd see anything
JIB-JTF/LA
TEL :1-310-795-2723
May 05 92 19:39 No. 015 P.01
INSTMENT OF DEFENSE
DOD, JTF-LA
Joint
Information
Bureau,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Los Angeles, CA
TO: Bob Simons White House
FROM: Col KIRCHOFFNED JIB JTF-CA
7th ID Light
Calif Army N.G.
Subject: Antedotal Information
SMAGTF (1st MarDiv)
Number of pages
(including header):
2
Send to fax number: (202) 456-6218
Voice Phones:
Fax Phones:
Cmcl: (310) 795-2356
Cmcl: (310) 795-2723
DSN: 972-2356
DSN: 972-2723
NOTE CHANGE IN
FAX NUMBER!
JIB-JTF/LA
TEL:1-310-795-2723
May
05
92
19:40 No. 015 P.02
Anecdotes for President's speech writer:
1. Public support has been tremendous. As military convoys
converged on the Los Angeles area, they were greeted by honking
horns and shouts of encouragement. On the scene, many Los
Angeles businesses supplied the Marines, California National
Guard and soldiers, with free food and drinks.
2. About 20 Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st
Marine Regiment were ambushed at approximately 3 a.m. by an
automatic sprinkler system. They were unaware of the in-ground
system, when the unrolled their sleeping bags to bivouac in the
area. The Marines got a rude and wet awakening when it turned on
in the early morning hours.
3. Marines assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine
Regiment, driven by compassion for a homeless mother of twins,
took up a collection amongst themselves and bought milk and
diapers for the family.
4. The owner of a KMART, preparing to lock up for the night,
discovered a National Guard unit setting up their command post in
the parking lot. Rather than lock up, and knowing it was safe in
their hands, he left the doors open should the troops want a
place to sleep.
5. About 26 soldiers from the 670th Military Police Detachment
left Eureka, Calif., in the wake of the recent earthquake and
assumed duties on the streets of Los Angeles.
6. Everyone but the operations section was on the street cooks
and mechanics became light infantry.
7. "I didn't think about it until we formed in the parking lot,
a car pulled up and dropped a body behind us, shot in the back.
Fires were burning around us, shots were being fired and we were
in the open. The seriousness of the moment became clear,' said
Private First Class Damon Goforth, a member of the 670th Military
Police Company.
8. A soldier had just returned from the law enforcement academy.
His unit didn't know he was back, so they didn't call him for the
mobilization. When he discovered his unit had mobilized, he got
his equipment, drove from Yuma, Ariz. to San Diego, and on his
own motivation jumped from unit to unit until he found his own in
Los Angeles. He said he, "just wanted to be with (his) unit."
Wash. Post 05-03-92
Uneasy Celebrity-
For 'Gentle' Giant
Beating Victim Called a Private Person
182/180/21
By Avis Thomas-Lester
tion worker and ex-convict as a
Washington Post Staff Writer
soft-spoken, 6-foot-4 gentle gi-
He was first married at 18. In 1989, he was
ant who can sit for hours in
convicted of robbing a grocery store owner who
ALTADENA, Calif., May 2-
front of the television, watching
later told the Los Angeles Times he felt King did
Rodney G. King was on the
Discovery Channel cable shows
not want to hurt him.
verge of tears as he stepped to
about animals. And a man
"He just wanted the money," the store owner
the microphone Friday to plead
whose life has been turned up-
said. "I hit him first. If I didn't hit him, he
with Angelenos to "stop making
side down, not only by the beat-
wouldn't have hit me."
it horrible for the older people
ing, but by the intervening year
Last year, he was arrested for allegedly solic-
and the kids" by rioting in the
of celebrity and the post-verdict
iting a prostitute who turned out to be a trans-
wake of the acquittal of four
vestite.
riots that have swept Los An-
police officers accused of beat-
geles.
But many who know him insist he is, as one
ing him.
Acquaintances said King has
described him, "a wonderful boy."
"Do you see how he is right
"You just have to know this man to know how
been forced by his unwelcome
there? Do you see him? Well
celebrity into seclusion with his
ridiculous this whole thing is," said Al Barnes, his
uncle by marriage.
second wife, Crystal, at a loca-
"He's gentle. That's the best word to describe
tion kept secret even from some
him. I watched the speech at work and my co-
'Well that's
of his friends.
workers were saying they were surprised he was
When he leaves his home on
a handsome guy. They were feeling like 'He's
Rodney King-
outings, he is often accompa-
not a monster at all. He's not a gorilla."
nied by body guards.
that's the whole
His mother has had her tele-
Cousin Towanda Thompson, 19, who lives
phone number changed several
next door to King's old house, said the "whole
man right there.
times, and his children have
family" has been affected by the turn of events.
been teased in school.
"We've got a lot of people who come and both-
I've known
"This has been real hard on
er us," she said. "There are a lot of reporters and
him because he is a private per-
him since he was
news people. And, like yesterday, a lady came by
son," said Sean Thompson, 24,
and said she just wanted to pray for him. She
who lived with King before
didn't even know him."
a boy and I can
Thompson was married.
His relatives, and his lawyer, have been vir-
"Now, because of this situa-
tell you, he's not
tually King's only contacts since the beating, and
tion, they have had to keep on
provide most of his income, acquaintances said.
like the police
moving. His lawyers got him
His days are spent watching television. During
body guards. He got tired of it.
the trial of the four officers, which he did not
and media have
He said he couldn't stand to
attend, King read every newspaper article and
have people hovering over him.
watched every news broadcast, Sean Thompson
portrayed him.
"Sometimes he would elude
said.
the security and ask me to go
"He knows that he has got to get used to being
-store owner Glenn Ford
with him when he had to go
out in public again," he said. "It will be hard be-
out."
cause people recognize him."
that's Rodney King-that's the
According to relatives, King
In an interview yesterday with the Los Ange-
whole man right there. That's
was born in Sacramento, but his
lez Times, King said he now has trouble sleeping
him," 36-year-old store owner
family moved to Altadena when
Glenn Ford told people watch-
he was young. Now, more than
and had "headaches all the time" as a result of
ing the televised news confer-
25 of his relatives live within
the injuries he suffered during the beating, in-
ence.
two miles of his old house on
cluding numerous broken facial bones. Relatives
"I've known him since he was
Lincoln Avenue and get togeth-
said he has suffered permanent brain damage
a boy and I can tell you, he's not
er often.
and has trouble with his eye and walks with a
like the police and media have
"permanent limp."
As a child, he played Little
portrayed him."
League baseball and often
"You can be talking to him and he will just zone
In this working-to-middle-
avoided schoolwork, which he
out," his aunt, Kandyce Barnes, said. "Then you
class suburb nestled in the foot-
have to snap your fingers like"-she snapped her
sometimes found SO difficult
hills of the Sierra Madre Moun-
fingers three times-"are you with me here?
that in high school he was
And then he'll pay attention again."
tains where King, 26, has lived
placed in special education
for 20 years, his beating by Los
King's fondest memory since the beating, the
classes before dropping out in
Los Angeles Times said, was of an incident that
Angeles Police Department of-
the 11th grade.
occurred two months ago at a local gas station.
ficers on March 3, 1991, cap-
As a teenager, he worked
He unexpectedly noticed George Holliday, the
tured on an amateur videotape,
construction and odd jobs with
man whose amateur videotape of the beating
is his only claim to fame.
his father and grandfather and
shocked the country. King said he went up and
Friends and relatives here
at a McDonald's restaurant.
shook Holliday's hand.
describe the former construc-
"The guy's a hero," King said. "He's a real he-
ro. He S real man. It took a lot of courage to do
what he did. And I told him no one would have
believed me otherwise."
Beginning the Healing
Wash. Post 05-03-92
Blacks, 122/21 Whites, Hispanics Join in Effort
"Racism is prevalent, heavy duty,
all the time," she said as she opened
By Lynne Duke and Al Kamen
types," said Stephen Friedland, 47,
a huge trash bag. That is why she
Washington Post Staff Writers
a businessman. "Any civility the
understands the anger that fueled
races had in trying to keep their
some of the rioting. "It hurts, but it
LOS ANGELES, May 2-At the
scene of a burned-out mini-mall in
underlying distrust under control,
made people come together to
the devastated south-central sec-
it's so raw now."
change. Look at all these people
tion, Patricia VanStory-Davisand
Another white man, Don Attias of
here."
Ken Moore and Alexis Larios met
Santa Monica, said whites in his
Alison Jones, a black woman and
to clean up the rubble. Black, white,
neighborhood were feeling "just
elementary school teacher who
Hispanic, they and the hundreds
kind of numb, and trying to assess
lives not far from the cleanup site,
who joined them represented what
what the reality is in Los Angeles
worried that the riot could repeat
city leaders have tried to protray as
right now."
itself. The central city, she said,
the nation's most prominent and
The riots did not reach Santa
needs President Bush and Gov.
harmonic blend of racial and ethnic
Monica, nor did they reach the ex-
Pete Wilson (R) to provide massive
groups-until rioting revealed deep
clusive Beverly Hills shopping dis-
federal and state assistance. "The
discord and bred fear and insecur-
trict along Rodeo Drive where most
National Guardsmen can't stay here
ity.
of the patrons are white, but the
forever. If they don't do something,
Desperate not to feel helpless,
normally crowded street was nearly
they'll burn the whole city down
these volunteers tried with their
deserted this morning.
next time."
hands to do a bulldozer's job. Their
Friday afternoon, diners at the
cathartic cleaning was briefly inter-
Moore, a retired English profes-
the Beverly Rodeo Hotel coffee
sor who came in from the Clare-
rupted by the appearance of an an-
shop spotted smoke rising from be-
mont suburb 30 miles to the east,
gry and unsteady black man, who
hind a nearby building, said Miguel
said, "Not much happened after the
screamed threatening obscenities
Valadez, a waiter. "The customers
Watts riot. I'm not sure anything
at the whites. "Peckerwoods," he
got nervous and the people on the
will happen this time, either."
yelled at them, then went on a ti-
street started to get into their cars
But even if economic conditions
rade about blacks being left out of
and to leave. They were afraid," he
change, what about peoples' atti-
economic opportunity. "Where's the
said. It turned out to be an acciden-
tudes toward each other, Sue Loftin
black businesses?" he demanded.
tal trash can fire.
wondered. The attorney who was
"Where's the black businesses?"
While some whites fled or stayed
shopping on Rodeo Drive yesterday
A few among the work crew
scrambled to keep the intruder at
shut in their homes, others spent
said that after Watts "external
bay. The rest ignored him. Their
the day on the streets of south-cen-
things" improved, such as in jobs,
mission was to frantically try to
tral Los Angeles, contributing time
education and some housing. "But
erase the destruction of the past
and muscle to large cleanup cam-
there was no change in attitudes or
three days; their mission was. to
paigns. But more than that, they
belief systems," she said.
begin a healing.
were trying to create an atmos-
This time, however, she felt the
Some of America's worst night-
phere of hope even as they stood in
riot could result in improved race
mares were exposed here: the fear
the smoldering ruins.
relations. "We lived with an illusion
that fundamental racism accounted
"They need help just as I would if
of inclusion for a long time," she
for the beating of Rodney G. King
my house burned down," said Del-
said. "This will bring us back to re-
and the virtual exoneration of the
lene Newcomb, a 27-year-old pen-
ality and cause us to reevaluate
officers who hit him, and the fear
sion administrator from the suburb
where we want to go. We have
that the fierceness of the resulting
of Alhambra.
an opportunity now and if we don't
criminality was fueled by racial re-
Lauren Aronson, 26, a University
take the opportunity the issues
of Southern California graduate stu-
won't go away. Now is the time for
venge.
But the hostility that has explod-
dent from Studio City, swept the
real change."
parking lot of a looted and torched
Howard Barnes is a black man
ed here is not a Los Angeles story.
Rather, it is a manifestation of
shop across from the campus. "I
who said that because of his age and
America's racial pain.
think there are a lot of people all
race he is a "prime suspect" in the
For some here, especially blacks,
over the city that want to help, but
eyes of society. He said the riots
the beating and verdict were cruel
they're afraid that something would
were "inevitable" because of the
confirmation that blacks remain vul-
happen to them because they are
bottled-up anger of poor blacks and
nerable to white subjugation and
white."
Hispanics who don't get a fair
that justice is elusive.
Perhaps only those who would
break. Barnes, one of the coordi-
For others, especially whites, the
devote their day to the dirty job of
nators of the cleanup, echoed the
shock of the verdict and the terror
cleaning up could be optimistic, but
sentiments of many blacks, whites
of the past three days was a wake-
the group setting out from a nearby
and Hispanics at this cleanup site.
up call: It said that racism remains a
church-sponsored cleanup said they
"My mother was pregnant 27
powerful force and that people who
hoped their example might help the
years ago," he said. "I was in her
have been victimized by it reach a
healing process.
stomach during the Watts riot." But
breaking point.
"Something good is going to
not enough has changed since then,
And for some whites, there is
come out of this," said Larios, a 33-
he said, and "This is what happens
fear that they could become victims
year-old jewelry designer who lives
when people bottle up their anger."
of the victimized.
in the south-central district.
During a cigarette break from
These conflicting racial re-
"I think we are sending a mes-
the hauling and moving, a white
sponses were tearing away last
sage to the world that L.A. is a
woman from Hollywood leaned on
week at Linda and Stephen Fried-
good place," said Larios, who
her shovel and said she came here
land. The white couple, residents of
brought his wife and three small
because it was "a way to not get
a city neighborhood next door to
children to help him sweep debris
depressed anymore."
Beverly Hills, have been increas-
from a burned-out mini-mall.
She said the whole explosion of
ingly wary of the encroachment into
For some here, hopefulness ex-
rage and rampaging took her by
their area of crime perpetrated by
isted alongside racial bittnerness.
surprise. "A lot of people in the
blacks. Although disturbed by the
VanStory-Davis, 46, a secretary
black community saw this coming. I
King verdict, the Friedlands said
and artist who lives down the street
didn't, even though I have black
the riots deepened their sense of
from the burned-out mall, said she
friends," said the woman, who de-
vulnerability and they are seriously
is bitter that blacks are mistreated
clined to give her name. "You just
thinking of moving away.
by police, the criminal justice sys-
don't realize that the veneer of civ-
"It's played to all of the stereo-
tem and other forms of authority.
ilization is that fragile."
Story of a victim
WASH. POST: 05/04/92
A Murder Marked by Irony
Mechanic Going to Aid Black Friend Had Decried Verdicts
122/
By Roxana Kopetman and Greg Krikorian
Los Angeles Times
who didn't think the King verdict
LONG BEACH, Calif., May 3-If his killers
was wrong."
had known of his anger at the system or that he
they lay on the ground, Haines and
This weekend, friends said, Hai-
shared their outrage at the Rodney G. King ver-
Coleman had no chance to escape.
nes, a slight man with a mustache
dict, Matt Haines of Long Beach might not have
"A guy put his gun up [Haines's]
and long, dark hair, had planned to
been murdered when rioting in that city turned
helmet and shot him," said Jeff Bald-
go to Las Vegas for a convention of
its streets into battlefields.
win, Haines's brother-in-law.
"Star Trek" fans. He was supposed to
But Haines, 32, a white mechanic, never had a
The gunman shot Coleman three
be in charge of security, they said.
chance to talk with his murderers or to tell them
times in the arm, then held the gun
Born in Philadelphia and raised in
that he was headed to the home of a black friend
to Coleman's face and pulled the
Houston, Haines moved to the Los
who could not start her van.
trigger. But the gun did not fire.
Angeles area about five years ago.
Of all of the murders that marked last week'
As the crowd scattered, Coleman
He retained a slight Texas twang,
unrest, none may have been as ironic as that of
later told family and friends, he
and was described as a "free spirit"
Haines, gunned down after he was stopped by a
dragged himself over to his dying
and a skilled mechanic who always
mob of black men and teenagers as he and his
uncle but could not make out his fi-
made time to help others with their
nephew, Scott Coleman, 26, rode Haines's mo-
nal words.
cars, even strangers on the highway.
torcycle to a friend's apartment here.
On Saturday, Haines's friends
"He spent all of his spare time
Haines and Coleman were inseparable, best
and family could not make sense of
helping people," his sister said.
friends and roommates, according to family and
what happened.
Late Saturday, Long Beach de-
friends. So when Haines's friend, a black woman
"We believe that these guys were
tective Tim Cable said police had
named Skeeter, called for help, the two set out
acting out their rage against the in-
arrested five people, including two
about 6 p.m. Thursday from their apartment,
justice of the [King verdict] and my
teenagers, in connection with the
uncle and cousin just happened to
killing of Haines and the attempted
After they left, rioting grew fierce in Long
be there," Katrina Haines said. "It's
murder of his nephew. Charges
Beach, and Skeeter tried desperately to reach
not rational. It's very senseless."
were pending.
them by phone, to tell them not to come. But the
Haines and Coleman had decried
"I'm surprised and pleased," Hai-
outcome was a brutal and tragic example of how
the verdicts in the hours before
nes's sister said late Saturday.
violence flared uncontrolled.
their attack, Katrina said.
Since the shooting, she said, her
Coleman declined to be interviewed, but his
"If this would have been a war,"
son "Scott is very lost. He is very
family and friends said he told them Saturday
Katrina said, "they would have
alone. He can't believe this has hap-
that he and Haines were en route to the woman's
signed up on the side of the guys who
pened."
apartment when about 15 men and teenagers
killed them. They were very disillu-
Neither could friends who remem-
surrounded them.
sioned with the system as well."
bered what Matt Haines was like.
"Matt told them: Hey, we're on your side,'
Haines's sister, Cris Baldwin,
"He helped people out," Sheesley
said Katrina Haines, 21, the dead man's niece.
said: "Had they bothered to even
said to Doug Griffin, another long-
'But the situation got out of hand. They didn't
speak with him, they would have
time friend of Haines.
try to escape."
found out they didn't need to kill
"Till the last minute," Griffin re-
Troy Sheesley, who worked with Haines, said
him. There's no one in our family
plied.
Coleman told him that Haines pushed his nephew
off the bike so he could escape. "Matt told Scott
to get off and run, and he would meet him at
home," Sheesley said.
But in an instant, he added, several in the crowd
grabbed the cycle's front wheel and tipped it back-
ward, knocking both men to the street. Beaten as
Ueberroth appointed head of rebuilding LA
WASH. POST: 05/04/92
Los Angeles's Cleanup Hitter
Riot-Area Rebuilder Ueberroth Ran Summer Olympics, Baseball
Reuter 21/122
his offer to buy now defunct Eastern
roth later started a charter airline
NEW YORK-Businessman and
Airlines in April 1989, The bid failed
service that failed.
clvic activist Peter Ueberroth, a for-
when the company that then owned
In 1963, with one employee and
mer major league baseball commis-
Eastern, controlled by Frank Lo-
$5,000, he formed a centralized res-
sioner and head of the committee
renzo, and Ueberroth could not
ervation service for airlines, hotels
that organized the 1984 Summer
agree on who would control the air-
line until the sale was completed,
and passenger ships, Over the next
Olympic Games in Los Angeles, may
Peter Victor Ueberroth was born
10 years, he bought a majority inter-
be facing his most daunting task.
in Evanston, III., on Sept. 2, 1937
est in Ask Mr. Foster and other trav-
On Saturday, Los Angeles Mayor
Tom Bradley selected Ueberroth,
the son of a traveling aluminum sid-
el agencies and founded Colony Ho-
54, to take charge of rebuilding parts
ing salesman, or "tin man." His moth-
tels, a manager of resort properties.
er died when he was 4. His father
By 1980, his firm, First Travel
of Los Angeles devastated by the
deadliest riots in recent memory,
remarried and eventually settled in
Corp,, was one of the largest travel
California,
companies in the United States, with
Ueberroth is known as a smart,
Ueberroth simultaneously worked
annual revenue of $300 million.
tough negotiator and a good organ-
and played a variety of sports in high
Ueberroth's business skills, cou-
izer who is skilled at keeping the
school and college, and in 1956 was
pled with his sports background, led
peace but mobillzing powerful people
named an alternate for the U.S.
an executive search firm to recom-
to his cause.
Olympic water polo team. In 1959 he
mend him over 200 others to man-
His committee ran the 1984 Los
married Virginia Nicolaus, his col-
age the 1984 Summer Olympics,
Angeles Summer Games at a sur-
lege sweetheart
After the Olympics he was picked
plus, unusual in modern Olymple his-
They moved to Hawaii, where he
to be baseball, commissioner, but
tory.
was soon hired by financier Kirk
owners, with whom he often clashed,
Perhaps the most visible setback
Kerkorian to help get a non-sched-
did not rehire him after his five-year
in a successful business career was
uled airline off the ground. Ueber-
term ended.
Local Color
WASH. POST:
05/04/92
origins of LA riot
At Normandie and Florence, an Intersection With History
By Lynne Duke
Normandie and Florence-as being
the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,
Knox and others know some of the
Washington Post Staff Writer
the start," said Samuel Shorts, 57,
Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and Art,
youths who did the dirty work.
who has lived around the corner for
the owner, who was white. The hot-
"I'm gonna be honest with you,
LOS ANGELES, May 3-At
26 years and works at a supermar-
dog stand was spared damage.
he said. "Some are regretting it
ground zero of the Los Angeles riots
ket warehouse. He spoke while sit-
Down the block, a black woman
and it's like some are using the F
of 1992, sightseers today scampered
ting on steps leading to a walkway
named Dorothy, 50, who said she
word. That's their attitude.'
about taking pictures of a torched
through a green and neatly cut lawn
was afraid to give her last name,
A helicopter was circling over
community.
that he was mowing when the dis-
stood on the sidewalk and just
head as he spoke. "They see me out
A 57-year-old black man who
turbances began last week.
stared at the burned-out auto parts
here looking like a thug," he joked
raised three children here sat on his
"Most of the people around in the
store and service station across the
Thugs are prevalent in these parts,
back steps and said the good, law-
neighborhood here think it's ridic-
street. Her electricity, out for two
where infamous street gangs called
abiding residents of his neighborhood
ulous," he said, "and these people
days, returned Saturday. But
the Crips and the Bloods hold sway
have been smeared along with the
didn't have anything to do with it.
there's still the problem of where to
Knox said he does not belong to
bad.
Most of these people are longtime
shop.
those gangs. "I'm from 104 Cadil-
A pair of white men pulled their
residents and their kids have grown
Dorothy, who watched from her
lacs," a car club, he said.
car into a driveway, parked,
up and left this area."
window as Florence Avenue turned
Knox said that even youths from
climbed on its roof and hung a card-
It was just around the corner that
into a battleground last week, said,
what he called "good homes" were
board placard in a tree. "Real Equal-
crowds hungry for revenge stoned
"I really don't feel it's all over, to
involved in the looting, including
ity Now," it read, and "Love Equals
vehicles, dragged motorists from
tell you the truth. It's still a lot of
himself.
Compation." Calla lillies were at-
their cars and beat them, then set
tension.
It's the tension at
"I have no feelings about it be
BY DAYNA SMITH-THE WASHINGTON POST
tached to the placard.
fires that were among the first of
Gemora Knox said even youths from "good homes" were involved in the looting.
night. Idon't feel at ease."
cause, first, I didn't throw no rocks.
And a black youth, who said he
the roughly 4,500 blazes set
If she could talk to the boys and
Number two, I didn't beat any-
was there when other young men
throughout the city.
men who started the melee that
forget!" and "Fight the power! Join
get used to it.
It's just some-
body." He said he simply took
he knows pulled a white motorist
Today, these streets were quiet
from his truck and beat him the way
but for the sirens of police cars es-
together and fear no evil."
thing you got to face. It's reality.
Wednesday night, she would tell
things he wanted but without force,
Across Florence Avenue at Art's
them "to get on their knees and
junk food, cigarette lighters, juice
the white police officers beat Rod-
corting National Guard convoys or
Ain't nothing you can say or do
ney G. King last year, said he does
about it."
start praying. And if she knew
and alcohol.
fire trucks. Gawking motorists and
Famous Chili Dogs, a bright blue
which ones did the beatings, she
Knox had said he did not care
not feel bad about it.
picture-takers jammed two main
and white wooden kiosk with three
The man outside was yelling
said, "I'd turn them in. You live by
about all the other buildings dam-
"I didn't have no feeling for that
thoroughfares. A young woman
stools inside for diners, Lee Pate,
about freedom now, and Pate said,
the sword, you die by the sword."
aged in his community, as long as
man," said Gemora Knox, 18. "I
walked around with a bottle of te-
53, a quiet man who drives a bus on
"Oh yeah. They gonna get it too.
Knox, 18, a student at Manual
his chili dog source remains intact.
didn't have no feelings. I been beat
quila to sell. Menacing-looking
weekdays, said that what happened
I'm not saying it's gonna come that
Arts High School, standing shirtless
He eats there along with everybody
and I felt maybe it was his turn."
youths on bicycles kept a watch on
here represents a new reality.
way [through riots], but you open
on the sidewalk, said, "Wednesday
else.
This poor and working-class
a couple of strangers on foot. Peo-
Black men his age were accus-
people's eyes when something like
night was kinda fun." People were
"That radio place? Who gives a
south-central community of resi-
ple rose and dressed for church, or
tomed to waiting for change and
this happens."
everywhere, he said, in the street,
That alarm place? Who gives a
dential streets, some neat, some
talked with each other on front
accepting what came. But these
Art's, named for its deceased own-
on the sidewalk, and then rocks
---?" he said. "We got one store in
shabby, has now gained a dubious
porches.
young black men won't do that.
er who liked to be called by his first
started flying and cars got hit and
the neighborhood now, that's bet-
distinction: The mayhem began
From the street corner at the
"No, I don't feel ashamed because
name, has been here for 50 years.
people were dragged out.
ter. He's money hungry anyway,"
here, though nobody can say exact-
intersection came the bellowing
you can expect this. Young people
Twenty years ago the Los Angeles
He said some of the rioting youths
he said of the black owner.
ly why.
voice of a black man: "This is where
these days are not gonna take what
Times called it "THE Los Angeles
came from within the neighborhood
Asked if he felt the riot was over
"People will remember this—
it happened. Never forget! Never
we've taken. We might as well just
hot-dog stand." Inside are pictures of
and some came from elsewhere.
for good, Knox laughed knowingly.
162
WASH. POST: 05/04/92
A State of Siege State of Mind
In Los Angeles, Grappling With Race & Fear
By Martha Sherrill
Washington Post Staff Writer
2)12ʳ
LOS ANGELES, May 3
hings seem strangely calm,
have lines around the block. They
You keep hearing gunshots in the dis-
T
cleaned up-over-until you look
keep saying in interviews that they
tance, but farther and farther away,
closer. A Hispanic boy stands out
don't like driving into other neighbor-
until you think the war will move to
on a south-central street with his
hoods for provisions, because they
some other place, some other state,
think their presence scares white
friends in the sunshine. He's wearing no
some other country, and whatever
folks.
shirt and smiling and talking, and then you
the fight is about, it won't be in our
notice the 15-inch kitchen knife in his hand.
"My girlfriends and I usually go out
faces.
A beautiful young black girl, wearing a
every weekend," says Renee Kyle, a
"This isn't a race war, it's a class
tight black dress with spaghetti straps, is
black woman and a bus driver at Los
war," says Luca Gratton, an Italian
having her picture taken in front of a
Angeles International Airport. "We're
American who grew up in the Miracle
burned-out FedCo. At another intersection
a mixed group-not all black, you
Mile district, which has been integrat-
where the signals aren't working, two
know-but since all this trouble, I
ed for decades. "The middle class has
black teenagers with very serious faces are
don't think it's such a good idea for us
been appalled-blacks, whites,
to go out together. I mean, I wouldn't
conducting traffic. They are wearing crisp
browns, greens, everybody-at
want something to happen to them
cotton shorts, but instead of white gloves,
what's been going on."
and not to me, because I'm black. Can
they've got long white athletic socks over
You notice that soot is sitting light-
you imagine how that'd make me
their hands and arms.
ly on every table top and hibiscus
feel?"
There are police cars accelerating
bush in the city. At many intersec-
around with huge dents in the sides, and
tions in south-central, all four corners
broken windows. You're staring at one, and
are charred, black holes of rubble. Af-
That L.A. mentality. There's this
then realize there's a gun barrel staring
ter a while, you get used to the after-
wonderful thing about Californians:
back, from the passenger side. Even in a
math-the melted security fences,
They just want to be happy, to look
somewhat safe neighborhood, Silverlake, a
the Dumpsters full of broken glass,
on the bright side, to move out of the
couple of guys in their mid-twenties-an
the caved-in roofs and fallen walls.
shade. The jacaranda trees are in
engineering student and a movie business
You get used to the humvees, and
bloom, their delicate purple blossoms
wannabe-show you something in their
personnel carriers full of Marines
dropping all over Hollywood. And
jackets: a Beretta 92F compact and a Colt
pointing military assault rifles in ev-
hey, Peter Ueberroth, who did such a
Python.
ery direction. You get used to the
wonderful job with the 1984 Olym-
"The people who sat at home watching
smell of fire and water, the wet ash
pics, is going to come and fix every-
TV for three days think it's over," says
and grease and plastic. You get used
thing. Not just fix, but make it "a blue-
Eugene Yee, the guy with the Beretta.
to the X's burned into the intersec-
print for inner cities."
"That L.A. mentality will take over.
tions downtown, where flares were lit
A green Jaguar drives down West-
Everybody will shrug it off and be laying
for three days.
out in the sun. Hey, man. It's cool. But
ern Avenue, and a middle-aged black
You try not to be obsessed with
guy is videotaping the demolition
nothing's over, and I've seen things in the
ironies, but you keep looking above
while standing through the sunroof.
the torched shopping strips and see-
last few days that will stay in my head
He passes by one bombed-out street
ing movie billboards: Danny Glover
forever."
corner, where Anna Garcia and her
and Mel Gibson are all over town,
Like everybody else around, Yee looks
husband, Eduardo Abundiz, have set
head to head, gun to gun, for "Lethal
worn out. There are tired, stressed,
up their bright blue, homemade lem-
nervous airport-faces way beyond the
onade stand under two beach umbrel-
Weapon 3." Harrison Ford points his
airport. It might be from watching all that
las. The motels in Malibu are full of
gun all over south-central in a teaser
television, but maybe not. A sour,
people who could afford to flee the
for "Patriot Games" that says "6/5/92.
burnt-plastic smell comes and goes with
city, and the beaches farther south
The Games Begin." On the Hollywood
the wind, along with the sound of
have been crowded-the weather's
Freeway, some tall, blackened
helicopters-the ones far away sound like
been so beautiful. The Newport Har-
stumps line the lanes of traffic.
bugs, and the ones up close like huge
bor Yacht Club annual open house
Thursday night the palm trees were
vacuum cleaners sweeping over your roof.
went on in Orange County, no prob-
so elegant-looking, aflame and bright,
The voices you hear are hyper and
lem. Weirder still, Mikhail and Raisa
the ultimate Tiki Torches.
quickened-Californians turning into New
Gorbachev will visit the Ronald Rea-
Driving around, you see stores left
Yorkers-probably from the residual
gan Library in Simi Valley Monday,
standing that say "Black Owned" in
after having flown in on the Forbes
spray-paint on the sides. Not just one
adrenaline.
Inc. plane called the "Capitalist Tool."
or two, but block after block. "You
saw that graffiti that said 'Bloods and
At the Lucky market on Los Feliz
can't blame blacks for trying to save
Crips and Mexicans together, 4/30/92,'
their businesses," says one Korean
says one white guy, "and I keep thinking,
Boulevard, people turn up in convert-
what about 1993 and 1994?"
ibles and shorts and sunglasses, buy a
man, "but what is 'Black Owned' real-
Everybody is feeling conscious of his
few things and leave-with their gro-
ly saying exactly? It's saying, 'Destroy
race these days. A Korean man says he
ceries loose in their arms because
the Korean place next door.'
gets "hate looks" from blacks everywhere.
they don't believe in either paper or
The animosity between blacks and
A white woman, driving around
plastic. Oh yes, "the healing process"
Koreans has grown steadily over the
south-central, says she hopes the back of
has started. Paradise cannot be trou-
years in these neighborhoods, and
her head "looks Latino." A white man in a
bled for long, and even an earth-
more recently flared with the trial
quake-no matter how huge-
last fall of a Korean shopkeeper who
car looks over at two classic L.A. types in a
black Nissan 300ZX-they are blonded and
doesn't last more than a couple of
shot and killed a young black girl, La-
minutes. The rest is mop-up.
tasha Harlins, after accusing her of
overtan-and says, "Even I'd like to throw
Curfews come and go-the sun
stealing a bottle of orange juice. The
a beer bottle at that car." At a Korean rally
sets and rises-and with each one the
security video camera in the shop
and march through the city Saturday, there
city seems better and better, if you're
taped the incident, and the gruesome
were signs that said "WE ALL BLEED
not looking too carefully. The 24-
black-and-white footage was seen
RED," but it seemed nothing more than a
sad observation.
hour-open-all-night feeling that Los
over and over here. When the shop-
The blacks stuck in south-central feel
Angeles has always had is gone
now-the grocery stores close at 5
very stuck-their grocery stores are
or 8-and it's as though the city is
demolished, the gas stations are gone or
trying to repair itself through sleep.
WASH. POST: 05/04/92
keeper-Soon Ja Du, a woman-was
side Hunkele's apartment building by
of it: Almost every neighborhood in
given no jail time after being convict-
Thursday evening. His neighbors had
ed of voluntary manslaughter, blacks
Los Angeles felt the troubles. Fires
been looting. Down the block, he no-
protested and rioted.
burned at the edge of Beverly Hills.
"You'd think that the blacks and the
ticed another apartment building
The houses up in the hills above Hol-
where the carts had been very neatly
Koreans would get along," says Jay
lywood looked down through the
pushed together in a row, like at the
Yun, a 25-year-old engineer raised in
smoke at the spinning red lights of
Safeway.
L.A. and now moving to San Diego.
fire trucks and ambulances and squad
"Why were those carts out there?"
"But we are both very emotional peo-
cars. People kept saying it was "just
asks Hunkele. "No guilt. It was a gift
like Beirut" or "just like the Persian
ple-very-and don't always respond
to them, not a crime. All of us can sit
in a collected, rational way to every
Gulf," but they'd only seen that stuff
around appalled by the looting, but
on television. It was a little like
situation. As far as I could tell, talking
there were open stores with smashed
to my Korean friends, nobody seemed
watching the smart bombs dropping
windows and smashed frozen-food
to think that Korean shopkeeper
on Baghdad. Here though, there were
section
doors.
You don't know
should have gotten off. It didn't seem
more close-ups.
how much a dollar means to these
at all like self-defense on the video."
The city's poor, more used to fac-
"I've been amazed by the ignorance
people, how little they have. And then
ing gunfire and violence, were by far
on both sides," says one Japanese
George Bush comes on TV and says
the greatest victims of the riots, but
American. "The juror [in the Rodney
it was 'mob rule.' Well, he just doesn't
they weren't the only ones sleeping
know what being poor is like."
with baseball bats and scissors and
King trial] who talked about 'These
people would have rioted no matter
Looters made their way into the
knives, worrying about defending
what the verdict was'-well, she was
grand old Bullock's Wilshire depart-
themselves. "We were about to bug
obviously talking about black people.
ment store, now boarded up with pale
out to Burbank, where my brother
And then, I saw this black guy on TV
plywood like the black-and-gold deco
lives," says Mike McCourt, who lives
whose store had been burned down,
May Company and countless Circuit
with his wife in the Los Feliz area. "I
and he was asked who he blamed for
Citys and Radio Shacks and Payless
mean, we were pretty spooked, pret-
Shoe Stores. The sidewalks in front
the fire, and he says, 'I blame the fire
ty nervous. And then my neighbor
department, because if this weren't a
are swept. "Your Circuit City will be
came home with a Beretta and a stun
black neighborhood, they would have
open soon," says one marquee. The
baton and some Mace, and we felt
been here sooner.'
National Guard is guarding the big
much better."
The fire department. The LAPD.
stores still standing-the troops
Daryl Gates. Tom Bradley. George
sweating under their helmets and
Bush. The Crips. The Bloods. Rodney
camouflage and canteens and guns—
"Television changed everything,"
King. Everybody seems to have
but it's hard to know whether there's
says Scott Arundale, an independent
somebody to blame for the $550 mil-
anything left to guard. Nobody is say-
film producer. "You'd think that revo-
lion in damage and the death toll ap-
ing. Nobody wants to say.
lution would have to happen in some
proaching 50 and the 2,000 injured
"Some of the store owners just
tight little space, but people were all
and the 9,000 arrested. Eugene Yee,
opened up their doors," says Mary
watching stuff on TV and getting
a Korean American raised in Hancock
Yen, a Taiwanese who has lived in
riled up."
Park, has spent three nights outside
Koreatown for 20 years. "The store
"The TV sucked," says Eugene
Gun Heaven, a gun store at Fairfax
owner said, 'Let me help you take
Yee. "The first night all the action
and Olympic where he works part
stuff-just don't burn my place down.
was down south, but then the TV
time, holding an assault rifle and de-
This store is all I got.'
showed interviews with blacks com-
fending himself and the store against
Street corners in south-central are
plaining about the damage to their
wave after wave of gang members.
populated by crowds of neighborhood
own neighborhoods, then the next day
They've been driving up with tape
do-gooders of every color, and volun-
the action started moving all over the
stuck over the last three digits of
teers both obscure and famous: Sean
city."
their license plates.
Penn, Anjelica Huston and Edward
People are media-savvy here-
"We called the police the very first
James Olmos turned up. The First Af-
they talk about how the newspapers
night," says Yee. "We told them we
rican Methodist Episcopal Church or-
and local television got tired of all the
had a thousand weapons and maybe
ganized groups of volunteers at sun-
negative stories out of south-central,
90,000 rounds of ammunition, that
rise on Saturday, and they fanned out
and how they started to reprogram by
we needed some protection. They
across the city, working in silence and
Thursday afternoon, reporting "the
told us to handle it ourselves."
looking like chimney sweeps by after-
upside" and "the good-neighbor hu-
"Word spreads quickly here," says
noon. "Everybody knows what to do,"
man interest" stories. People here al-
Renee Kyle, the LAX bus driver, "and
said Scott Kreeger, a 29-year-old
so talk about the news like it's anoth-
everybody heard right away that the
short-story and screenplay writer
er movie project. They mention
police were doing nothing.
I nev-
who lives in Santa Monica. "We're
something reminding them of "Road
er see Mayor Bradley come on TV
just trying to get debris off the side-
Warrior" or "Fort Apache, the Bronx"
and say anything until he's already up
walks."
or "The Omega Man"-that '70s end-
in flames. He moves too slow for
"I saw small Latino children—
of-the-world fantasy set in Los Ange-
me-and now I think he's called in
about 6 or 7 years old-playing with
les and starring Charlton Heston.
too many troops."
pieces of glass this morning," said
They rave about the "incredible heli-
Way up on top of his apartment
Carmen Rico, who lives in Beverly-
copter shots" that sweep over the city
building in Koreatown, between Hol-
wood and works at UCLA Medical
and make people look like ants, and
lywood and south-central, John Hun-
Center. just got a shovel and came
"the fabulous live footage" of looters
kele, an out-of-work white actor in his
out here." Rico hadn't even gone
mugging for-the cameras, laughing
late thirties, sat and watched the riot-
home to change-she was wearing a
and giving the thumbs-up sign or say-
ing. From a crow's-nest tower on the
bright green Mexican dress, jewelry,
ing hello to their mothers.
roof, he had a 360-degree view of all
a black bandanna-and was covered
The movie studios, meanwhile,
kinds of things. On Wednesday night,
in ash and dirt. "At first I felt so sad,"
closed early on Wednesday. At lunch-
he could see the downtown skyline
she said. "I was alone out here,
time, there was a private screening at
beyond the red glowing spots and pil-
sweeping. But then somebody else
20th Century Fox of a rough cut of a
lars of smoke from countless fires. By
stopped, and then somebody else. I
new picture called "Unlawful Entry,"
midnight, the skyline just disappeared
just got some momentum going. Peo-
a Largo Entertainment project star-
under the soot and smoke, and it
ple came from all over the city."
ring Ray Liotta as an LAPD officer
wasn't until the breeze on Saturday
"The City." Suddenly that's what
who befriends a yuppie couple, makes
that patches of blue showed up again.
people in Los Angeles are calling it,
a play for the wife and then turns out
No matter what, you just can't seem
where before it was just Hawthorne
to be psychotic. (This kind of thing
to keep the good weather away.
and Inglewood, Baldwin Hills and
has proved successful recently-the
Cartons from looted goods sat
Hancock Park-the wide spread of
evil terminator in "Terminator 2," af-
around the city right in front of peo-
many places slowly drying out under
ter all, wore an LAPD uniform.) Ac-
ple's houses-empty Sony TV boxes,
the sun. Now, after this sad, confus-
cording to one movie exec, the word
empty Mitsubishi boxes-waiting for
ing weekend of civil war, Los Angeles
is that "Unlawful Entry," still in post-
the weekly trash pickup. There were
has magically become one place.
production, will be rushed out soon.
20 or so scattered shopping carts out-
The bizarre emotional democracy
July is just too long to wait.
WALL STREET Jour NAL
5/5/92
Los Angeles
Bush Sends Delegation to Los Angeles
Tallies Losses;
As He and Clinton Stake Out Positions
Curfew Is Lifted
By MICHEL MCQUEEN
small-business owners whose property was
And JEFFREY H. BIRNBAUM
damaged in last week's rioting. Mr. Bush's
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater, said fed-
WASHINGTON - President Bush sent a
eral troops would remain in the area for
Death Toll Increases to 58;
delegation of officials to Los Angeles to
several days. He also said officials expect
help craft a federal response to the riots
to issue about $300 million in small business
Building Damage Now
there, while he and Arkansas Gov. Bill
loans, as well as about $300 million in
Clinton continued to hone political argu-
federal disaster assistance to help re-
Put at Over $717 Million
ments over who could best resolve the
build the devastated areas. Mr. Bush has
mess.
declared the area affected by the rioting a
Mr. Bush selected Deputy Education
federal emergency disaster area.
By FREDERICK ROSE
Secretary David Kearns, a former chair-
But the administration signaled its in-
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
man of Xerox Corp., to lead the group,
tention to present a broader response by
LOS ANGELES - The nation's second-
which includes officials from the Health
sending the Kearns delegation with instruc-
largest city returned to work yesterday
tions to evaluate needs including housing,
and began toting up its losses following one
Jury Selection Grows Harder
health, education and food, among other
of the bloodiest civil disturbances in U.S.
Guaranteeing a fair trial in racially
things.
history.
charged cases is much more difficult in
the wake of the rioting that followed
At the same time, officials seemed to be
Some 58 people died as a result of the
violence, municipal authorities said late
police acquittals in the Rodney King
preparing to defend Mr. Bush against
yesterday. Official preliminary estimates
case. Meanwhile, the recovery of Los
charges that his inattention to domestic
place damage to buildings alone at more
Angeles will rest to a large degree in
issues added to the troubles. At a cabinet
than $717 million, including the charred
the hands of small-business owners.
meeting, Mr. Bush suggested that the Dem-
See stories on pages B1 and B2.
ocrat-controlled Congress bypassed the ad-
remnants of thousands of small businesses,
ministration's positive suggestions, saying,
and damages eventually are expected eas-
and Human Services, Housing and Urban
"We have some very good ideas out there
ily to exceed $1 billion.
Affairs, Labor, and Commerce Depart-
that would have been extraordinarily help-
Amid a quiet but wary population, thou-
ments. They were to interview state and
ful if they'd been put into effect.'
sands of U.S. Marines and National Guard
local officials, and report to Mr. Bush on
personnel continued to patrol the city'
ways federal aid can assist the cleanup.
Mr. Fitzwater suggested that liberal
streets and guard commercial centers
social-welfare programs are largely to
Shifting Focus
Citizens jammed the freeways and streets
blame for the predicament faced by U.S.
in: normal Monday traffic. Los Angeles
The trip was seen in part as advance
cities. "We believe that many of the root
Mayor Tom Bradley lifted the dusk-to-
planning for Mr. Bush's previously sched-
problems that have resulted in inner-city
uled visit to Los Angeles Thursday and
dawn curfew invoked Thursday night, al-
difficulties were started in the '60s and
though the nearby city of Long Beach left
Friday. White House officials are still grop-
'70s," he said. He said liberal programs
ing to find appropriate events for Mr. Bush
"have failed," but didn't name any specific
its curfew in place.
to attend and messages for him to deliver
In block after block of the city's com-
program.
mercial districts, blackened buildings and
during that trip.
So far, the administration has focused
Meanwhile, Mr. Clinton, the probable
broken windows lined once-again busy
streets. More than 2,300 people were in-
primarily on helping to restore order and
Democratic presidential nominee, was al-
on expressing concern over the hundreds of
ready touring Los Angeles. Brushing aside
jured in the violence, and over 12,000
administration charges that he was politi-
arrests were made.
cizing the disaster, Mr. Clinton said he
The death count surpassed any major
claims, adding that it was expecting be-
intended to use the trip to develop a specific
U.S. civilian riot since the Civil War, and in
tween 800 and 1,000 claims.
agenda to combat the deep problems of
this century exceeded the 43 killed in the
State Farm & Casualty Co., the state's
urban living. But he used his visit as a
1967 Detroit riots and 48 lives claimed in
second-largest commercial peril insurer,
platform for prescriptions he has espoused
1917, in race riots in East St. Louis, Ill.
declined to estimate its prospective
throughout his campaign.
Major insurers said it will be days
losses.
A spokesman for Firemans' Fund Insur-
Not everyone who saw Mr. Clinton was
before they can develop reliable estimates
of damages but added that claims will be
ance Co., the state's third-largest commer-
happy about his presence or his often
far smaller than some notable recent natu-
cial insurer, said more than 80 claims were
flowery rhetoric. "I don't see how it's going
ral disasters, including $4 billion paid to
filed as of yesterday. "At least four of these
to help anything," complained Maurice
cover the destruction by Hurricane Hugo.
are very substantial," a spokesman said,
Mosley, a 48-year-old hospital worker.
Because violence in most of the city's
declining to disclose the prospective losses.
"Just look around: look at all these burned
Fireman's Fund, based in Novato, Calif., is
out buildings. We don't need more talk.'
riot-torn areas entailed looting and burning
of retail establishments, the bulk of initial
a unit of the German insurer Allianz AG.
Looming Debate
insurance claims is expected to fall into
Meanwhile, one tiny insurer said claims
Although the White House seemed to be
so-called commercial multiple-peril lines
related to the rioting had prompted losses
preparing for a debate on liberal-vs.-con-
of coverage - insurance written to cover
that are expected to be "very material" to
servative solutions, the ideas Mr. Clin-
many types of risks for business enter-
one of its units. Unico American Corp. said
ton expressed, more spending on infra-
its Crusader Insurance Co. unit has insured
prises.
structure, targeted investment credits and,
Damage claims were rolling into in-
a large number of small businesses in the
particularly, community investment and
surers yesterday, and many companies
riot-scarred areas. A company official,
"empowerment" efforts, include elements
said they had set up special offices to take
however, declined to estimate the amount
that some Bush officials, such as Housing
the calls. Claims adjusters fanned out to
of projected losses. Unico American stock
Secretary Jack Kemp, and other conserva-
inspect looted shops and torched busi-
plunged $1.125 a share, to $3.50, in over-the-
tives also favor.
counter trading yesterday.
nesses.
California's largest commercial lines
Atlantic Richfield Co. said 11 service
Mr. Clinton also strongly reiterated his
insurer, Farmers Group Inc., said its losses
stations were burned to the ground and 36
call for an end to racial divisiveness, and
may total about $70 million. The Los Ange-
more were looted, with property damage
employed a personal style of campaigning
les insurer, a unit of London-based B.A.T
estimated at between $5 million and $10
that may be impossible for Mr. Bush be-
Industries PLC, cautioned that the esti-
million. The damaged stations were in Los
cause of security considerations. Near a
mate is "conservative" and may grow.
Angeles County, Riverside, the San Fran-
burned-out store, Mr. Clinton placed his
cisco Bay area and Las Vegas, and five of
arm around a pregnant black woman who.
Farmers Group said that, as of early
Please Turn to Page A11, Column 3
Please Turn to Page A6, Column 5
yesterday, it had received about 200
Los Angeles Curfew
Is Lifted; Death Toll
From Riot Rises to 58
Continued From Page A3
those destroyed were company-owned.
Robert Wycoff, Arco's president, said
that over the weekend about 25% of Arco's
approximately 500 stations in Los Angeles
County were out of service, but most have
reopened.
Travellers Express Co., a unit of Dial
Corp., warned that lost or stolen money
orders it had issued may be in circulation
following the riots. Travellers Express,
based in Minneapolis, sells money orders
through convenience, grocery and liquor
stores, as well as check-cashing businesses
and financial institutions. Such establish-
ments were heavily looted and some
burned in parts of Los Angeles. A spokes-
woman estimated that it might have about
Businesses and other institutions an-
nounced efforts to rebuild the city. The
Bank of America said it will lend as much
as S25 million to damaged small businesses
under special programs. The bank said
that, among other things, it will offer unse-
cured "interim" loans for as many as
three months at fixed rates to businesses in
need. It said it also will offer loans to repair
houses and other personal property.
PUBLIC 100 outlets in riot-affected areas.
State legislators, meanwhile, proposed
a temporary quarter-of-a-point increase in
California's 8%-plus sales taxes. A similar
temporary levy was invoked at the time of
the 1989 San Francisco-area earthquake.
However, a spokesman for Gov. Pete Wil-
son said such a step must await more
accurate estimate of the monetary dam-
ages.
Heinz Is Withdrawing Jars
Of Baby Food in Australia
By a WALL STREET JOURNAL.Staff Reporter
PITTSBURGH Heinz Co. said it
is withdrawing jars of its baby food from
store shelves in Western Australia after a
cyanide scare.
Police in Western Australia Monday
received a cyanide-laced jar of Heinz's
Rosehip Gel baby food with a note pro-
testing last week's not-guilty verdicts on
Los Angeles police officers in the Rodney
King case. Police in the Australian state
called it the first reported act of protest in
Australia stemming from the California
trial.
The note accompanying the jar said
five other jars of baby food had been
poisoned "for the
cops.' The note
read, in part: "We are protesting against
the Los Angeles rigged trial.
We
aborigines are sick of mistreatment and
IO
racism." Aboriginal groups make up
2% of Western Australia's population of
more than one million.
U.S.
Chief Inspector Bob Taylor said police
had received no reports of poisonings or
cases of tampered jars. He said parents in
Western Australia were advised not to
feed babies "any product bought in a
glass container" after the verdict.
Bush Sends Officials
without Perot in the race. The survey confidence
possible independent challenger suggests
Ross because voters have less than
To Survey Aftermath
this is Bush's handling of this crisis they
in Mr. of his presidency, and because racial
others believe Mr. Clinton would deal with
Of Los Angeles Riots
problems more successfully.
Continued From Page A3
THE POKE BOAT®
near tears, asked him for help in getting
IT'S MORE THAN A CANOE
baby
"We'll her, and put her together Calif. ),
formula. get someone to help you," with he an
BUT WEIGHS ONLY 28 LBS!
For a brochure
assured aide who Mr. was to have Clinton's Rep. traveling risen Maxine standing since with Waters the him. with riot (D., began, the voters ac- of
Remarkably
stable, durable
and information
call Phoenix
and easy to
may to a survey by a polling the arm Los
use. All for
Products, Inc.
cording Mirror Co., which owns
less than
1-606-986-2336
Times Times. The nationwide survey 30
Angeles respondents, conducted April dead-
$800.
of 1,301 May 3, shows the president with and
through locked with Mr. Clinton, both
JAN-01-1900 23:27 FROM
TO
P.12
PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT
As Angeles a result between April 29, 1992 and May 3, Hacienda 1992, three village, (3) Jordan
of the civil disobedience occurring in the city public of Los
housing Downs developments approximately and developments Nickerson 7,000 are comprised residents. Gardens, located were in of Because Watts; left 2,480 with of apartments the no power electricity. area outage which there and was These house the a
distruction of the commercial districts in the items.
great need for food and other essential life sustaining
sector company, the Camino Real Food, Inc., of Vernon, and
A California, private through their Manager of Corporate Planning those
Control, Mr. Thomas Gaulden, delivered to the residents of
developments 18,000 sandwiches.
Here's an anecdote about decent
people doing good work. Perhaps a
Speech insert ?
Please
give to
carol in the
research
office before
10: oo am
MAY 5 '92 5:09 FROM GOV. WILSON PRESS #2
TO 82024566218
PAGE. 001/003
OUR JO/
16:20
UCHUR & SILLAS
P.02
RTD ACTIVITIES DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY
APRIL 29, 1992 TO MAY 5, 1992
5
April 29, 1992: Wednesday
1.
service disruption due to civil disturbances.
Starting approximately 6:00 P.M., the RTD began to experience
District employees were assaulted, fortunately none seriously. Several
2.
Close communications were established between the RTD, the LA
remained in effect throughout the state of emergency.
Police Department, and the Los Angeles Fire Department. This
3.
District service was withdrawn from the area immediately
impacted by violence.
4.
The Los Angeles Police Department occupied the District
facility at 54th and Arlington in southwest Los Angeles bus
Operations this Center at that location, RTD personnel remained
approximately 9:00 P.M. and established the Emergency at
location to assist the police, sheriff, and fire at
departments. site c.f the Approx. peck of 4500 operation police, troops, national guard etc. occupied the
5.
Transit Police units were assigned to protect District
facilities and to assist the Los Angeles Police Department.
6.
At approximately 10:00 P.M., all District service
suspended service area. due to a rapid spread of violence throughout was the
7.
pull-in buses and employees were immediately re-assigned 190
SCRTD Due to the loss of the facility at 54th and Arlington,
Angeles, and West Hollywood.
to three other locations in Carson, downtown Los to
8.
The fire RTD department provided personnel. five buses to transport police, sheriff, and
April 30, 1992: Thursday
1.
At riot 3:00 A.M., RTD supervisors began to survey streets in the
area to assess the feasibility of resuming service.
2.
At immediate 4:00 A.M., the RTD service was restored outside
in the area of civil disturbance. A total of 28 of lines the
immediate area of the disturbance were operated. bus
3.
Gardena Transit, Montebello, Long Beach, Torrance, from
Riverside Before 6:00 A.M., the RTD received telephone inquires
available City Business District. Based upon the the Los
Angeles regarding the feasibility of operating to and
operations from police authorities and RTD surveys, information these
maintained service into Los Angeles.
MAY 5 '92 5:10 FROM GOV. WILSON PRESS #2 TO 82024566218
PAGE. 002/003
05/05/92
16:21
OCHOA & SILLAS
P.03
4.
At approximately 8:00 A.M., the RTD added service to the E1
Monte busway to carry passengers stranded due to the
discontinuance of service by another carrier.
5.
At Approximately 1:00 P.M., violence, again, began to spread
rapidly and service was discontinued on major RTD lines such
as Wilshire and Beverly. Many additional line cancellations
occurred during the afternoon.
6.
Due to major rioting and fires along Washington Blvd., service
on the RTD Metro Blue Line was suspended north of Washington
Station. To maintain passenger service, a bus bridge was
immediately established between Washington Station and the
northern Blue Line terminal at 7th and Figueroa.
7.
Due to continued rapid spread of violence and the city curfew,
all RTD service was suspended at 6:00 P.M.
8.
The RTD provided fuel and some maintenance support to police
and fire equipment. This continued throughout the state of
emergency.
9.
A total of 88 buses were provided to transport police,
sheriff, and fire personnel.
May 1, 1992: Friday
1.
At 4:00 A.M., RTD Supervisors began to survey streets in the
riot areas to assess feasibility of resuming service and to
determine necessary detours and temporary terminals. Plans
were initiated to restore all services except 28 lines in the
immediate area of the disturbance.
2.
At 6:00 A.M., RTD buses and trains, again, resumed service.
3.
The RTD again added service to the El Monte Busway to
transport passengers unable to reach Los Angeles due to
service discontinuance by another carrier.
4.
Approximately seven lines were suspended during the day due to
specific incidents of violence.
5.
District. Service was maintained until 6:00 P.M. in all areas of the
6.
A total of 106 buses were provided to transport police,
victims, and to move prisoners.
sheriff, National Guard personnel, Red Cross buses for fire
MAY 5 '92 5:10 FROM GOV. WILSON PRESS #2 TO 82024566218
PAGE. 003/003
=
10:22
UCHUA & SILLAS
P.04
May 2, 1992: Saturday
1.
At 6:00 A.M., RTD service was restored on all lines outside of
the immediate area of civil disturbance.
2.
At about noon, RTD service was restored on four lines within
the area of civil disturbance for patrons in need of obtaining
food and other necessities.
3.
The RTD, again, added service to the El Monte Busway.
4.
At about 5:00 P.M., the RTD suspended service on lines within
P.M.
the civil disturbance area and all service concluded at 6:00
of
5.
The RTD provided 82 buses to transport the U.S. Marines and
other authorities.
May 3, 1992: Sunday
1.
At 6:00 A.M., RTD resumed service on all lines.
2.
The RTD, again, added service on the El Monte Busway without
service incident.
3.
At 6:00 P.M., service was concluded due to the various curfews
in effect.
4.
The RTD provided 62 buses to transport various military and
civil personnel.
May 4, 1992: Monday
1.
At 6:00 A.M., the RTD resumed service on all lines without
serious incident.
*
2.
The civil RTD personnel. provided 115 buses to transport various military and
3.
The incident. RTD operated all night and owl service without serious
May 5, 1992: Tuesday
1.
provided The District operated all regular scheduled service
33 buses to transport military and civil personnel. and
Extended Page
3.1
MAY 5'92 5:07
Three Small-Business Men Signify Key to a City's Future
Wiped Out by Riots, They and Others in Los Angeles Ponder Starting Over
By JOHN R. EMSHWILLER
back for many small-business owners will
Meet Inc says he also probably will re-
Mr. Lewis, a football player for the Los
And AMY STEVENS
be tough. For those who had little or no
main-despite his own deep misgivings and
Angeles Rams in the 1950s, has been an
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
insurance, it might be impossible. "We
entreaties by family members to "get out
owner of various small businesses in South
LOS ANGELES-The ability of this city
aren't talking about powerful businesses,"
no matter what the cost." Besides his
Central Los Angeles for three decades.
to recover from the worst rioting in the
Mayor Tom Bradley said at a news confer-
financial stake in the business, says the
During the 1965 Watts riots, he stood at the
nation's modern history will rest to a
ence Friday.
35 year old Korean immigrant, he has a
entrance of the bowling alley he then owned
large degree in the hands of small-business
Mr. Randall, chairman and a 40%-
commitment to the some 160 small re-
and turned back rioters by shouting that
2
owners such as George Randall, Jay Lee
owner of Yes Clothing Co., says his publicly
tailers who lease space in the sprawling
almost all his 75 employees were also
and Woodley Lewis.
traded clothing-design and manufacturing
former warehouse.
black.
Like thousands of other local small-busi-
company expects insurance to cover its
During the past few days, Mr. Lee and
This time, the 67-year-old entrepreneur
ness owners, these three men - one white,
losses. But, he adds, insurance can't cover
dozens of associates have been barricaded
wasn't so fortunate, though a bar he owns in
one Korean-born and one black - saw their
the fear and anger he still feels about
inside the swap meet using rifles and shot-
STREET
the area was spared. He says he doesn't
establishments stormed by mobs in a
having to stand by helplessly while a mob of
guns to hold off mobs. Fortunately, says
yet know how much of the loss from his
rampage that destroyed or severely dam-
about 300, some armed with automatic
other three businesses will be covered by
aged 1,600 businesses. Estimates of total
weapons, looted his factory.
property damage to 5,200 buildings and
Much of the anger is aimed at the
F
or entrepreneurs with
insurance, partly because his financial rec-
ords went up in flames.
their contents range from about $700 mil-
political leadership that he feels failed to
little or no insurance,
lion to $1 billion.
take the steps necessary to quell the riot
In the past, Mr. Lewis says, he has
Mr. Randall, a 62-year-old white man,
and protect citizens. "We must have the
rebuilding might be
periodically thought about pulling up
watched as his clothing factory was looted
weakest city government in the world,"
impossible. 'We aren't
stakes and moving to a safer neighborhood.
of $1.5 million in merchandise and equip-
Mr. Randall says.
But, he says, the tug of his community was
ment. Mr. Lee and his partner, with the
talking about powerful
too strong.
But poor government or not, Los Ange-
help of dozens of armed compatriots, de-
les will remain home for Yes Clothing,
businesses,' Los Angeles
Now the ties are frayed, and the future is
fended their retail market from would-be
which employs about 150 people, the major-
looters and arsonists. Mr. Lewis, a black
Mayor Tom Bradley says.
uncertain. "When you get burnt out, you
ity Hispanic, says Mr. Randall. The city is a
have second thoughts about what you ought
man who grew up in South Central Los
world-wide garment-industry hub, and
to do," he says. "If it's real hard to get
Angeles, had a liquor store, an ice-cream
"I've got to be here," says Mr. Randall. "I
Mr. Lee, shots only had to be fired into
financing, I think most of us will move
store and a fast-food shop burned to the
just don't know how to cope" with the last
the air and no one on either side was
on."
ground. All three endured the trauma of
few days.
injured.
watching mobs attack businesses that took
While things have quieted down in Los
However, Mr. Randall says, he has
years to build.
Angeles, Mr. Lee doesn't expect his affairs
Rexene Restructuring Bid
already made some changes in his business
Now, as the violence has subsided, they,
to be back to normal anytime soon. He
DALLAS - Rexene Corp. said Cam-
operations. Coincidentally, Yes was in the
and other local business owners, face pain-
predicts the swap meet will remain closed
bridge Capital Fund L.P. withdrew its pro-
ful decisions about whether it is worth
process of moving its manufacturing
at least another week, protected round-the-
posal to restructure the company.
operations to a new factory in the same
the effort - and the risk to their physical
clock by armed guards. "Area residents
area. Unlike the old location, which "had
Cambridge Capital, a New York-based
safety and emotional stability - to rebuild.
are telling us that some people are still
Yes Clothing signs all over it," the new
investment firm, is the last of the three
"Why go through all this?" asks Mr.
talking about taking our place down,"
building will have no identifying labels, Mr.
companies that proposed restructurings
Lewis.
says Mr. Lee.
Randall says. The security force at the new
for Rexene to drop its proposal. Rexene,
Ueberroth Heads Drive
site will be increased to three from just one
Hours Curtailed
a chemical products maker, sought pro-
The Los Angeles reconstruction effort,
before. And employees are being issued
When the swap meet does reopen, it will
tection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
headed by former Baseball Commissioner
identification badges that they will need to
start with curtailed hours and more secu-
last fall after reaching a tentative agree-
Peter Ueberroth, has already begun. Yet
get into work.
rity guards, perhaps 16 instead of 10, says
ment with creditors on a reorganization
civic leaders acknowledge that the road
Mr. Lee, part owner of Slauson Swap
Mr. Lee.
plan.
003 PAGE.003
L.A VIOLENCE
The latest totals in Los Angeles af-
SF Examiner
May 5, 1992 5,1992
ter a jury Wednesday acquitted
P. A P.A-12 A-12
four officers accused of beating
motorist Rodney King :
FATALITIES: 58
INJURIES: 2,328
ARRESTS: More than 12,000
PROPERTY BURNED: More
'92 12:25 FROM GOVERNORS OFFICE SF
than 5,200 buildings heavily dam-
aged or destroyed by fire through-
out Los Angeles County
DAMAGE: At least $717 million
in Southern California
MAY 5
1062
TIMES 05/02/92
The Open Wound That Los Angeles Must Now Work to Heal
21/120
Good samaritans are everywhere, even as the toll mounts and the need for the federal probe grows
he smoke from thousands of
Youth Gang Services
WIDE IMPACT
T
fires began to lessen in the Los
Project was a burned-
Even the Los An-
Angeles Basin Friday as the
out strip of stores at
geles area's sprawling,
orgy of violence and looting that
Western Avenue and
largely white suburbs
followed the Rodney King beating
Jefferson Boulevard.
were affected. There
trial verdict seemed to be winding
Like almost every-
was serious trouble in
down. But the community's sense of
thing associated with
Long Beach and scat-
unease-a sad, sick feeling that things
celebrities these days,
tered looting incidents
may never be the same-hovers like
Olmos' act of leader-
in the San Fernando
an acrid smell.
ship was widely noted.
Valley, Pasadena and
Of course, if anything is learned
But, at dozens of other
the Inland Empire.
from these awful days, some things
places throughout Los
And many small cities
will change, perhaps dramatically.
Angeles and other cit-
near Los Angeles im-
They will change, if for no other
ies, similar community
posed curfews to coin-
reason than that no sane person in Los
cleanups were organ-
cide with the dawn-
Angeles or anywhere else would want
ized by ordinary people. It was the
to-dusk rule in effect
to repeat this terrible experience.
most visible example of the good
in their troubled
Precisely what must change, and how,
people, the vast majority, pulling to-
neighbor. Smoke from
will be the topic of debate for
gether. That community spirit must
fires drifted south to
months-or, for such a huge task,
be nurtured and grow in the days to
Orange County, and there were edgy
even years. And the challenge will be
come.
nerves in Ventura County to the
made no easier by the fact that some
We must not forget that everyone
north, where residents were painfully
thugs and criminals-of all colors-
in the Los Angeles area was victim-
aware that this whole ordeal began
remain unrepentant after so brutally
ized by the rioting. No neighborhood
with Wednesday's highly question-
taking advantage of the post-verdict
or ethnic group was unaffected, di-
able decision by a Simi Valley jury to
protests to victimize individuals and
rectly or indirectly. "Can we all get
free four Los Angeles policemen de-
entire neighborhoods.
along?" Rodney King said Friday.
spite the fact that a videotape cap-
"Can we stop making it horrible?"
THE UNKNOWN SAMARITANS
tured them beating King.
But the overwhelming majority of
L.A.'S MANY VICTIMS
In such a fearful time, it is not
Angelenos, average law-abiding peo-
Anyone who ponders what comes
surprising that there were instances
ple who respect their neighbors and
now must realize that the neighbor-
of vigilantism reported. An unknown
care about their community, can take
hoods that will suffer the most in the
sniper, believed to be a business
hope and perhaps even find inspira-
immediate aftermath of the rioting are
owner, took to the roof of a store on
Wilshire Boulevard and fired shots
tion in the many actions by good
the heavily black areas of the South
Samaritans during Los Angeles' dark-
into an unruly crowd nearby. Some
Side.
est hours. Most of these people will
residents of the Hollywood Hills
Many black neighborhoods now
remain forever anonymous because
blocked access to the area and armed
have no stores where residents can
there were no reporters or television
themselves to keep away would-be
buy food or other vital supplies. Bus
cameras around to record their good
service has been curtailed so that
looters. That is scary behavior. It
deeds.
even those who still have jobs to go to
would have been less likely to happen
Indeed, even in one of the most
(most of the work in many burned-
if police had been on hand and able to
widely reported acts of heroism-four
out businesses was done by local
control the situations. We can only
African-Americans saved a white
residents) have a hard time getting
ask that everyone remain as cool and
truck driver, Reginald Denny, as he
there. There wasn't even mail deliv-
calm as possible in this still-stressful
was beaten by an angry mob-the
ery in those areas. Although it has not
time, and remember that things ap-
names of only three of his rescuers are
been widely publicized, black-owned
pear to be getting better.
known. The fourth-known to his
businesses were hurt, too.
THE NEED FOR CALM
compatriots in courage only as a
Also hard-hit were the Asian-
The arrival of National Guard units,
young man dressed in black-simply
American merchants, mainly Kore-
federal troops and law enforcement
disappeared after driving Denny to a
ans, who own many of the small stores
agents, and police from neighboring
hospital emergency room.
that serve residents of South Los
local jurisdictions seemed to have
As in the case of that young man,
Angeles, the Mid-City area and Ko-
brought the rioting under control. The
nobody recorded the names of the
reatown itself. They bring badly
federal troops are racially and ethni-
hundreds of men, women and even
needed services to sections of the
cally diverse, which should contribute
children who helped tired firefighters
inner city where other business peo-
to calming or containing the situation.
with heavy hoses or tried to put out
ple are not willing to take a chance.
Just as important, the U.S. De-
blazes with garden hoses and volun-
There has been occasional tension
partment of Justice has affirmed that
teer bucket brigades.
between them and some black cus-
the not guilty verdicts in the King
tomers, most notably as a result of the
THE HIDDEN PROTECTORS
case did not end the legal process.
Latasha Harlins slaying. (Harlins, a
And who knows how many local
Atty. Gen. William P. Barr and the
black 15-year-old, was shot to death
stores were protected from looting by
U.S. attorney's office have promised
by a Korean grocer, who eventually
to take another look at the King case,
groups of neighborhood people who
was convicted of involuntary man-
came to the aid of the owners? In a
and a federal grand jury has been
slaughter and received what amount-
few instances these good neighbors
impaneled to hear evidence. The ap-
ed to a wrist-slap sentence.) But were
held would-be looters until police
pointment of Wayne Budd, the de-
they deliberately targeted by looters or
arrived, but in most they just chased
partment's third-ranking official and
arsonists? Further investigation may
them away. On a chaotic day when
a respected African-American attor-
be needed to nail this point down with
police resources were at the breaking
ney, to take the lead in any civil rights
sufficient confidence.
point, such help was invaluable.
prosecution in the case is reassuring.
The city's large Latin American
That same type of community spirit
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled
community was not untouched by the
that successive state and federal pros-
motivated hundreds of
violence, either. As in the Watts riots
ecutions can occur in a case in which
young people to heed
of 1965, many of the "white" victims
there is no vindication of the public
calls from celebrities
of mob violence were Mexican-Amer-
interest. That should be done in the
such as actor Edward
icans or other Latinos. Several old
King case, and politics should not be
James Olmos to start
apartment buildings near the down-
allowed to interfere with the legal
cleaning up the city on
town area that were put to the torch
process. Some political analysts sug-
Friday. One of the
by arsonists were home to hundreds of
gest President Bush might lose con-
first places Olmos took
Central American ref-
servative votes in November's elec-
a group of volunteers
ugees who had moved
tion if a federal prosecution of the four
from the Community
to Los Angeles in re-
LAPD officers is attempted. Such
cent years to escape
cynical calculations won't stand in the
political violence in
their homelands.
L.A. TIMES: 05/02/92
way of justice if Bush is true to the
promises he made in his speech Friday
night.
20f2
The social contract in this country
requires not only that justice be done,
but that there be a perception that
justice has been done. That is not the
case in much of Los Angeles today, in
the smoldering aftermath of the King
verdict. Only the federal government
can offer the remedy. Until it does, the
peace in Los Angeles-indeed, the
nation-will remain uneasy.
THE TERMATH OF THE RODNEY KING VERDICT
WASHINGTON POST 5/5/92
L.A. Curfew Lifted; Troops Stay on Patrol
THE SITUATION IN LOS ANGELES
Death Toll Reaches 58 as Attention Turns to Rebuilding Economy in Riot-Torn Areas
Hollywood
Sites of some of
Beverly
the fatal injuries
101
Hills
By Lou Cannon and Leef Smith
Washington Post Staff Writers
culture of old Los Angeles" and will
reopen each store. Four Thrifty
710
Downtown
LOS ANGELES, May 4-Mayor
stores were burned to the ground,
Los Angeles
Tom Bradley lifted the nighttime
60
and 19 others were looted, many
curfew today and schools reopened,
extensively.
but this riot-torn city kept its guard
L.A. Sports Arena
TROOPS:
Food 4 Less, a corporation that
up throughout the night, with
operates 44 grocery stores in the
405
Nearly 2,000 police
troops and police patrolling in
About 7,500 National
affected area, suffered major losses,
South Central Los Angeles
Guard, 4,000-4,300
looted and burned neighborhoods.
with damage estimated between $30
deployed
"All of the signs of normalcy have
million and $50 million. Looters and
About ,400 Marines
returned," said Bradley, who nev-
vandals struck each of its stores, and
available, 600-800 deployed
ertheless said troops would remain
3,000 Army available,
two were burned down.
none deployed
here indefinitely. "We hope that the
The corporation took a full-page
Inglewood
Watts
1,000 prison guards,
people also will feel that sense of
ad in the Los Angeles Times pro-
border agents and others
L.A.
encouragement that they know
available, about 550
claiming that its stores, many of
International
deployed
we're on the streets of this city to
them known as Boys Markets, would
Airport
ensure security for them."
The death toll from riots that
reopen. "Because of this tragedy, it
doesn't mean we're leaving," said
0
5
have rocked the nation's second
405
Compton
Adrienne Gaines, vice president of
110
MILES
most populous city rose to 58, with
the firm. "We're the nourishment to
Gardena
the deaths of seven people hospi-
the heart of the city."
91
19
talized in critical condition and the
BY FRED SWEETS-THE WASHINGTON POST
shooting of a Hispanic man who
Television show host Arsenio Hall, left, and Jesse L. Jackson pray at bedside of
But on dark streets, where several
Reggie Whitney, who was hospitalized with a stab wound sustained during riots.
thousand homes remained without
Deaths
Injuries
Damage
Arrests
tried to ram a National Guard bar-
power, concerns remained.
ricade Sunday night.
Les Angeles
58
Sgt. Wes McBride of the Los An-
About
At least $700
More than
As of late today, coroners had
"The real looting was of jobs,"
April 29-May 3
2,300
million
11,900
identified 32 victims by name and 53
commitment to work together,
said Joel Saperstein, a business as-
geles County Sheriff's office said po-
Miami (Liberty City)
18
maybe we can turn this situation
400+
lice were concerned "about the
190 businesses
1,267
by race and sex, Associated Press
sociate and spokesman for Peter V.
May. 18-20, 1980
destroyed
around to create jobs," he said.
reported. Forty-nine are men, 23 are
Ueberroth. Ueberroth was named
amount of new firepower on the
Detroit
43
2,000+
West said it was important that
Fires destroy
7,207
black, 19 Hispanic, nine white and
by Bradley to head the reconstruc-
street" because gun stores were
July 23-28, 1967
477 buildings
two Asian. Two fatalities are listed
manufacturing jobs, on a steady
tion effort, known as "Rebuild L.A."
looted. David Boyd, a gun dealer
Newark, N.J
26
downward spiral in Southern Cal-
1,500
More than
as men who are of unknown race and
near the heart of the riot, said all of
1,397
Ueberroth, former baseball com-
July 12-17, 1967
300 fires
were fire victims.
ifornia, be enticed back to the area.
missioner and head of the commit-
his store's 1,000 weapons were ta-
Los Angeles (Watts)
34
1,032
While Bradley and Wilson have
ken.
200 buildings
3,952
City officials said damages from
Aug. 11-17, 1965
tee that organized the 1984 sum-
destroyed,
riots that erupted Wednesday after
expressed great confidence in
mer Olympic Games here, toured
Kevin Heard, a gang member
800+ damaged
four white Los Angeles police of-
Ueberroth's ability to funnel cor-
the devastated areas Sunday and
from Hawthorne, said people on the
SOURCE: Chicago Tribune, KRT Graphics, Associated Press, news reports
ficers were virtually exonerated in
said it would be several days before
porate funds into a rebuilding ef-
streets are well aware of this lethal
the beating of black motorist Rod-
fort, other politicians have said
BY DAVE COOK-THE WASHINGTON POST
he would know how much money is
booty. "There's going to be a lot
ney G. King topped $700 million.
needed to accomplish rebuilding.
more than economic redevelopment
more drive-bys [shootings] because
is needed.
area said they had filled a parking
State Sen. Art Torres (D), who
they all got new stuff and want to
regular guy. I work. I go home. I
But representatives of major cor-
lot with goods recovered from loot-
porations, who met here late today
"It isn't just physical rebuilding
flaunt it," he said.
never wanted to be famous."
represents some of the burned-out
ers identified by neighbors.
with Gov. Pete Wilson (R), said it
that we need," said Los Angeles
area, proposed a quarter-cent sales-
Firearms have taken a heavy toll.
At Daniel Freeman Memorial Hos-
In New York today, Bryant Allen,
was too early to give a comprehen-
County Supervisor Gloria Molina,
tax increase that he said would
Scott Carrier, a spokesman for the
pital in south-central Los Angeles,
a passenger in King's car when
sive list of the damages or to say how
the first Hispanic and first woman
raise $700 million to $800 million.
county coroner, said that, of 58
where many of the first casualties
King was stopped and beaten
many burned-out businesses would
to serve on the county board. "It
deaths recorded thus far, 37 re-
March 3, 1991, said that police beat
This was the remedy used to re-
were taken last week, the condition
reopen. At least 10,000 stores are
build after the disastrous Loma
isn't just a matter of getting busi-
sulted from gunshot wounds, includ-
of Reginald Denny was upgraded to
him too but that he was forbidden to
believed to have been burned com-
Prieta earthquake caused about $6
nesses back into the community.
ing seven in encounters with police.
good, and Denny learned for the first
testify about it at the officers' trial.
pletely or badly damaged.
We need social rebuilding, a spirit
billion damage, much of it to pub-
The latest gunshot death oc-
of trust."
time about the rioting.
Allen's allegations were aired on
Wilson gave an optimistic assess-
licly owned facilities, in northern
curred Sunday night when three
In the first minutes of the riot,
the Montel Williams syndicated
ment after the meeting with repre-
California in October 1989.
Annie Reutinger of ARCO, lead-
National Guard soldiers fired 14
ing operator of gasoline stations in
Denny, who is white, was pulled
television show along with a stop-
sentatives of banks, food stores and
Kirk West, president of the Cal-
shots with M-16 rifles at the driver
from the cab of his cement truck
motion videotape that Allen said
fuel companies. "I was enormously
ifornia Chamber of Commerce and a
the devastated area, gave an exam-
of a sports car who apparently tried
ple of the problem. Ten ARCO sta-
and seriously beaten, an event cap-
showed him being hit.
cheered by what I heard," he said.
former deputy state finance direc-
to run over them. The victim, a His-
tured on television by hovering hel-
But Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman
"These are good corporate citizens.
tions were burned down in the Los
tor, said he hoped that the tragedy
panic man, died from head wounds,
Angeles area, and 32 were dam-
icopters from local news stations
for Los Angeles District Attorney
You could say they have every rea-
here would "galvanize action" by
but his identity was not released,
aged and looted so severely that
and seen worldwide. Four blacks
Ira Reiner, said Allen told investi-
son to turn their back and walk away,
corporations in the area.
pending notification of next of kin,
they had to be closed, she said.
rescued Denny and helped him to
gators then that he had not been hit
but they are going to stay."
Meanwhile, Los Angeles City
West called for emergency pre-
authorities said.
Seven are company-owned sta-
the hospital.
approval to allow businesses to re-
According to officials at the Emer-
and had changed his story only after
tions that will be rebuilt and
"He was shocked when I told him
gency Operations Center here, there
hiring a lawyer. She also said Allen
Council member Mike Hernandez
build with a minimum of govern-
opened, she said, but independent
what happened to him," Cicily Kahn,
said national AFL-CIO officials had
have been more than 2,280 injuries
was not asked about his allegations
ment red tape. He noted that this
a social worker at the hospital, told
promised to commit between $50
owners lease most of the others and
was not done after devastating
and more than 11,900 arrests, chief-
during the trial because they in-
fires, which caused more than $1
will need large sums of money to
Associated Press. "He didn't know
million and $70 million for recon-
ly for looting. Arraignments contin-
volved officers other than those
struction.
reopen.
there was a war on the streets, and
billion in damage in Oakland last
ued at a slow pace today.
Chris Bement, executive vice
he just happened to be one of the
accused of assaulting King.
As high as they are, damage fig-
year, and said many homes there
Meanwhile, police said alleged
president of Thrifty Corp., which
first victims."
Staff writers Ruben Castaneda, Al
ures are likely to pale in comparison
have not been rebuilt.
looters were being turned in by
manages the area's largest drug
Kahn said Denny, 36, who cannot
with the city's job losses.
neighbors who disapproved of their
Kamen, Carlos Sanchez, Paul
"If there is a public and private
chain, said the chain is "part of the
speak because of massive facial in-
activities. Police in the riot-torn
Taylor and Avis Thomas-Lester
juries, wrote in a note: "I'm just a
contributed to this report.
Weather
Today: Cloudy, chilly, rain.
High 54. Low 45. Wind 10-20 mph.
High 54. Wind 10-20 mph.
Yesterday: Temp. range: 51-64.
The Washington Post
FINAL
Wednesday: Chilly, rain.
Inside: Health
Today's Contents on Page A2
AQI: 30. Details on Page D2.
Prices May Vary in Areas Outside
115TH YEAR
No. 152
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
P
Metropolitan Washington (See Box on A2)
25c
the CIVII wars in their
ADO
to Aviles young
homelands to search for
didn't
adoran who emerged last
unskilled jobs, decent housing
absent
as a key player in D.C.
and new lives.
aged a
Aviles was unemployed and
verdict
ntil violence erupted on
cooking a shrimp dinner on the
four L
nt Pleasant Street NW a
night when angry Hispanic
who S
ago tonight, the Hispanic
youths began heaving rocks and
times 0
munity spoke to politicians
torching police cars, prompting
Hunc
igh longtime activists
city officials to scramble for
took to
ly of Caribbean and South
channels to this new community.
to feder
rican origin. Many of them
The next morning he was
Departı
been U.S. residents for
summoned to a meeting with the
from 1
and voice middle-class
mayor, who was "looking for
down P
rns such as better access
some Salvadorans," he recalls
Outside the Justice Department in Washington, Ray Davis registers his feelings about the Rodney G. King verdict.
BY CAROL GUZY-THE WASHINGTON POST
near th
y jobs and business
being told by a friend.
chanted
tance.
He had ties within el pueblo
new the
Latino-the Hispanic
Roots Were East Side's Riot Shield
"I ca
community. But like most in his
have a
community, he lacked
never
connections to the city's political
when M
establishment, including
government officials, churches,
Established Hispanic Neighborhoods Mobilized to Avert L.A. Violence
But I'm
old grai
political clubs, unions, business
what ha
associations and other interest
By Ruben Castaneda and Al Kamen
panic gang members organized,
The key difference, numerous
happene
groups.
Washington Post Staff Writers
ready to protect neighborhood busi-
church and civic leaders from both
Okudzet
Yet it was Aviles, rather than
nesses if the mobs reached their
east Wa
LOS ANGELES, May 4-On
sides of downtown agree, is that the
one of the older generation of
streets. Nervous merchants handed
the Just
Hispanic activists, who emerged
Thursday afternoon, as a terrible
east side is home to numerous long-
out leaflets urging motorists and
Near
as a spokesman for the
established residents. The east side
fury was being unleashed from
pedestrians not to burn and loot the
the Dist
community, because he is
has recognized leaders and estab-
south-central Los Angeles north to
stores in their neighborhoods.
the 14tl
persuasive, charismatic and able
the mid-city and Hollywood areas
lished organizations. It has neigh-
It worked.
the Tre
to bridge the concerns of the
borhoods where generations of fam-
and it seemed as if the entire city
At least 40 percent of the city's
held up
older and younger immigrants,
ilies-primarily Mexican Ameri-
was on the brink of descending into
3.7 million residents are Latino. And
Mayo
who together have launched a
cans and Mexicans-feel they have
anarchy, Hispanic neighborhoods
lice Chie
renewed push for more jobs,
while dozens of racially mixed sec-
east of downtown mobilized against
a stake in their largely working-
to the I
more services and more
tions west and south of downtown
class and poor communities.
the mayhem.
largely C
attention.
were ravaged by roving mobs, some
In contrast, the Latino neighbor-
Despite the new blood and
Community leaders frantically
sity stud
including Hispanics who live in those
hoods and businesses that bore the
called parents throughout the area,
left, a fe
effort, Aviles and his younger
areas, the east side of Los Angeles-
brunt of the devastation were large-
window 1
constituency have discovered
appealing to them to keep their
the heart of the city's large Hispanic
ly communities of recent immi-
Acros
PEDRO AVILES
that, as far as fighting city hall is
young people inside. Armed His-
population-was largely spared.
See HISPANICS, A11, Col. 6
See
was a learning process
See POLITICS, A16. Col. 1
In
Los
Angeles.
nighttime
East Side L.A.
Mobilized
AVING
S
Against Mobs
HISPANICS, From A1
grants living in the south-central
Los Angeles area, Koreatown and
Savings Off Reg., Orig. & Value Prices
Hollywood, where Hispanics occa-
PLUS BEST BUYS
sionally outnumber blacks.
Gloria Molina, the only Hispanic
Los Angeles County supervisor,
said that while the news media tend
to lump Latinos together, "Latinos
are very diverse." On the east side,
"we didn't have the kind of unrest
that you had in south-central," she
said. "Latinos were very visible"
looting in the less stable neighbor-
hoods of recent immigrants. "But
they weren't people who were pro-
testing the King verdict."
Most of the people in those im-
poverished areas are newly arrived
Central Americans, largely Salva-
doran refugees as well as Ni-
SALE $799
caraguans, Hondurans and Guate-
BEST BUY
malans, who do not have the deep
roots and cohesiveness of the east
Reg. $1800. 2 CT. T.W. 2-ROW
side population. Also, most of them
DIAMOND TENNIS BRACELET
have been living here illegally and
have not acquired any political
clout.
Carlos Ardon, head of a Salvador-
an organization trying to extend an
immigration amnesty for Salvador-
ans here, said the Central American
$599
BUY
VAL SAPPHIRE
Nervous merchants
BRACELET
handed out leaflets
urging motorists
and pedestrians not
to burn and loot the
SALE $159
BEST BUY
stores in their
Orig.* $350. ¼ CT. T.W.
DIAMOND RING
neighborhoods.
immigrants do not have the organ-
ization and political leadership of
the Mexican-American establish-
ment. "We are being ignored,"
Ardon said, "The city doesn't care
about the problems of the Central
American community."
Scores, if not hundreds, of Cen-
tral American-owned businesses
were gutted in the rioting. "This is
not a black or white or Korean-only
problem," said Carlos Vaquerano,
an official with the Central Amer-
ican Refugee Center. "We are in the
middle of it and more affected than
$279
SALE $159
anyone else," he said.
BUY
BEST BUY
"It became an opportunity for
JLTURED PEARL
Orig.* $330. OVAL MULTI-STONE
people to be irresponsible and to-
CHOKER
tally opportunistic," said Los Ange-
LINK BRACELET
les City Councilman Richard Ala-
torre, who represents the east side
neighborhoods that were largely
unscathed. "People were taking the
25%
OFF
necessities of life-diapers, food,
shoes for their kids." Many of the
All Citizen, Seiko, Pulsar
Central American looters were
poor people who simply saw a
& Bulova watches+
chance to take things they needed,
he said.
Orig.* 59.50-$495
Those who made off with televi-
SALE 44.62-371.25
sion sets, stereos and other high-
priced items were primarily young
men, many of them gang members,
from Central America, he said.
On the other side of town, most
of the youths and young men, in-
20% OFF
cluding gang members, in the east
side neighborhoods of Boyle
Antique & estate jewelry
Heights, Highland Park, El Sereno
and unincorporated East Los An-
Orig.* $500-$5000
geles refrained from violence.
SALE $400-$4000
In one instance, youths who
looted a small grocery store in a
housing project were brought back
the next day by their mothers to
return what they had stolen, Ala-
torre said.
10%
OFF
Jose "Sinner" Quintanar and Ar-
nold "Bandit" Torres, two members
All Special Value precious
of the gang TMC (The Mob Crew) in
and diamond jewelry
a Boyle Heights housing project, said
they disagreed with the verdicts in
Reg. $179-$599
the Rodney King beating trial, but
said that they thought it was stupid
SALE 161.10-$539
for people to rampage through their
own neighborhoods in protest.
"It would be better to break in
somewhere far from here-Beverly
Hills, someplace where it's nice and
$119
Diamond stud earrings,
people have money," Quintanar
UY
pendants and jackets
said. "That's where you're going to
get attention.
SITE WATCHES IN
Reg. $199-$2399
"We see them burning up all their
SILVER
stores over there," Quintanar con-
SALE 179.10-2159.10
tinued. "Over here, we've got to
eat. We've got to live over here."
Quintanar and Torres said they
and many of their fellow gang mem-
bers were prepared to defend
neighborhood businesses. "If they
came over here, we were gonna
shoot," Quintanar said.
A few blocks away, other east
side residents took up not guns but
telephones.
Daniel Hernandez, executive di-
rector of the Hollenbeck Youth
daysale
Center, was one of a number of civ-
ic and business leaders who gath-
ered Thursday afternoon and
started calling residents to urge
them to keep themselves and their
young people inside and to call oth-
ers with the same message.
Hernandez was scheduled to fly
to Washington Thursday to partic-
ipate in a ceremony connected to
by store. tDoes not include Value Priced items, Mikimoto or South Seas Collections.
the Great American Workout with
Arnold Schwarzenegger. Instead of
making his first visit to the White
House, Heights Hernandez stayed in Boyle