Watts Race Riots

50 Years Later, Watts Streets Are Now Calm After Historical Race Riots

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As Ferguson, MO is in a state of emergency once again from struggles with police brutality and discrimination against Black residents, the people of Watts are remarking how things have changed dramatically since its infamous, six-day long race riots from August 1965.

Homicides in the city are down significantly and relations with the police have grown more civil and pleasant. While it is widely agreed that the area isn’t “utopia,” locals are upholding their neighborhood as an example of how time, dialogue and reform can improve race relations. With the 50th anniversary of the riots upon us, people are asking if the progress made in Watts can someday happen in Ferguson, as well. Read more at the New York Times.

Up Next: Police Brutality Meets New Heights, Woman Suffers Miscarriage After Being Struck With A Stun Gun

Pregnant Woman Loses Child After Cop Attacks Her With A Stun Gun

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Elaina Turner is now pursuing a civil rights lawsuit in July against the city of Chicago with her fiancé, Ulysses Green after an altercation with the police in front of their home in 2013. Officers Patrick Kelly, Jeffrey Weber and James Kubick came to their home to tow their van. At one point when Turner tried to retrieve her belongings from the car, Kelly rushed to her, grabbed her and used a taser on her stomach, leg and arm.

Turner was later sent to the hospital, then to prison for the night. She suffered her miscarriage later in the week. As Turner and Green began fighting criminal charges they sustained following the altercation, the two learned that the officers involved had histories of misconduct on the force including assault and false arrest. Read more at the Huffington Post.

Up Next: ABC Agents Who Brutally Detained Martese Johnson Gets Their Jobs Back

ABC Agents Return To Work Without Charges After Violently Arresting UVA Student Martese Johnson

The three Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control agents that beat and forcefully arrested UVA student Martese Johnson have resumed their roles after an investigation deemed they “did not violate agency policy.” The investigation concluded two weeks ago; Johnson was charged with public swearing and resisting arrest following the incident. Johnson claimed he did not know why he was being arrested at the time, but officers countered that he tried to use a fake ID and hit his head after taking a fall. Read more at The Root.

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