I remember watching this whole event unfold vividly back in 92. I went to visit my father on my summer vacation, who was living in Los Angeles at the time of the L.A. riots. I remember riding around Los Angeles with my father, seeing all the aftermath of this horrific event. This is definitely a moment in history that I will never forget. I was 16 years old at that time. Even though this happened 30 years ago, it's still fresh in my memory, like it was yesterday. Much respect to you for doing this video my friend. 🙏🏾💯
Damn Everytime we see allegations like this in other parts of the USA. Here in California we have to look back in the mirror to understand that the same happened to us decades ago and flashbacks of the 92 event is still there even though the players have changed.
Yes, I've been a fan of your content for years brother. I lived down the street from the swap meets on the North East side of the intersection of Vermont and Manchester. I was 12 during the riots. If I can request please do a before and after of University Village. I have seen some classics there, Kindergarten Cop, House Party, and White Nights. I even watched Battlefield Earth at that theater. I remember walking on the bricks like yesterday!🙂 I appreciate your channel friend!
I'm same age, and this was all over news in Northern Ireland, strange as all we ever knew was shootings bombings and riots.. Seeing this in a place like LA was very strange as it was portrayed as the global place of all thats hip an cool in the 80's
Same here I was only 5 at the time but damn every police brutality video that has been released after Rodney King every other part of the USA. Everything gets compared to this event. In this decade we have to talk about George Floyd as the Rodney King of this era.
You smashed it Kurt. As well as showing us the locations, you told the story really well. I for one understand the whole event a lot more now than I did previously.
Heck yeah man. I was there! Thanks for the post. I was 21 back then. I cried. Yeah f-ing cried at the destruction and hate. This made me shed a tear too. Old memories. Thanks again brother. You do good work. ❤️✌🏿❤️✌🏼❤️✌🏼❤️✌🏾❤️✌🏻❤️
I was beaten for coming to the aid of my neighbor who was pulled from his car at the corner of Harvard and 5th. As he was pulled from his vehicle, they yelled homophobic slurs. I recognized two of the mob members as being co-workers- friends of mine. As I tried to intervene I heard "oh f***, kill the cracker-ass m***** f*****" and "bust that Whitey ass!" I regained consciousness a little while later on the sidewalk. My girlfriend put me on her bicycle and rode me to St. Vincent. I had a torn retina, broken left Radius, two broken ribs, cracked jaw, a ruptured spleen, two shallow stab wounds on chest, a cut to my jaw where they tried to slice my throat, and a broken bones in my right hand, I went down swinging. I identified five of the eight attackers but the police and DA didn't arrest or file charges. Never did get a straight answer on that one. My gal at the time, Li Xiu, saved my life by staying calm during that slow ride to the hospital. Thank you ZeeZee. Needless to say I've come away with a different point of view of the riots, they've really opened my eyes to race.
karma has a way of getting justice. Im sure your attackers were gangsters or street thugs whom most are dead or in jail now. I remember they shot a white guy while he was driving and checking out one of his businesses in that area of Leimert Park off of Slauson or Vernon. The mob tried to continue to beat the white driver as he was already shot and dead. The cops had to tow his car out of there with his body still in the car
Sorry you had to go through that. So the perpetrators got away with a racist hate crime? I mean, that's basically what it was, right? Sounds like it from all the vile words they used. I don't condone racism/violence from any group/race of people. It needs to be called out whoever does it. Sounds like you was lucky to survive. And I'm betting they never gave you a second thought. Man, that's just pure evil.
I was born in the 70s so this channel hits home for me. The events you cover and the scenes you show are fond, and some not so fond memories I have of the past
I appreciate all your efforts in this video, I was 13 years old living in Northern California and watched the news constantly over the next couple days.
I can see why you had reservations to tackle a here and now video of this subject. Well done Kurt for producing another great video. You did a fantastic job 👏👏
I am sitting here blubbering watching this. It brings it all back. Though I didn't live in Southern California then, I lived there when I was a kid much earlier, I felt like home was being destroyed and as I still love LA and was there to visit not long ago, it's history means a lot to me. I didn't start crying until you showed the part with Reginald Denny dragged out of his truck and I remember watching that live in horror as so many did. When you show the good people that lived in that area come to his rescue is when I lost it. I admit to being extra emotional during these very trying times, but seeing the goodness in people come through all of that horror, doing the right thing at their own great risk,, touched me so much. As you stated I know you usually do light stuff, but this needed to be shown and you showed it magnificently, if such a thing could be said about something so terrible. I totally get the anger involved, and I like to think we've improved since then but a lot of times I doubt that unfortunately. Anyway, I just discovered you recently and you're one of my favorite UA-camrs and I have very few.
Agreed. So much has been forgotten since the Rodney King Riots became Los Angeles doesn't want to remember. We watched LA burn on the new big screens of the brand new Costco in Riverside. My husband's neighbors patrolled Norco on horseback. A professor told us how she was taking the bus home from college and the verdict was read. One side of the city was Dante's inferno and the other side of the freeway was untouched.
My brother… this is the greatest video you’ve ever done. I was 18 years old and a senior in high school, I had just came back from a football recruiting trip at UConn when this happened. I vividly remember this. We had our own mini riots in jersey and NYC at that time. Thanks for doing this video with an unbiased fact filled look into the past and present. Much respect and much love
My uncle was out there during this He was working on a construction job. He brought stuff back he found a night stick,,riot shield, white helmet the cops were wearing, a revolver and some pictures all stuff he found on the streets he said. looks like to me he was out in it but he didn't talk about it I miss my uncle lost him last year
Hey Kurt great video...... I was working in the Valley at the Bank of America in Panorama City at the time Roscoe/Van Nuys. The bank received a call not long after the verdict that a mob was moving down the street and coming to loot us and the Panorama Mall. They hit Tower Records, and the Monte Carlo Deli at Van Nuys and Parthenia first. It gave us just enough time to throw all the cash and teller drawers back in the vault and split. Thank god the LAPD had notified us to close as everything was out of control. When we cam back the next mornig the mall was ripped apart, they essentially destroyed Montgomery Wards and I don't think that location ever recovered or opened up again. Thanks for the memories and great videos !!
I was like 15. I remember watching the news and being worried about my mom who was on her way home. When she did finally arrived I asked her if she saw anything, SHE DID. She said that she was on Florence and that people were waving her away because rioters were pulling people out of their cars. Shows you that there were good people during the riots too.
This is such a great video you made about the riots. I'm not from Los Angeles, but I was 12 and a half years old at the time of the riots. I remember all of this like it was 1992. Great video 80's life.
Maybe some of your best work, but definitely the most important video you've done. You did it in a way that was respectful to the memories people have of these events. You are a true historian. Thank you Kurt..from Calgary.
I grew up in south central and I’ll never forget these days. The burnt business at the 12 min mark was actually around the corner from where I used to live. This building burned down the first night at around midnight. My parents house was the 2nd house on the block, there was an open field next to our backyard so it technically bordered a big street. Because of that it became dangerous for us to eat dinner at the table. There were sounds of guns being fired and occasionally we could hear bullets ricocheting nearby. It feels like I remember the riots winding down by the time the National Guard showed up but I may be wrong about that. There are still some spaces that were destroyed that have not been rebuilt even 30 years later. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 90’s was crazy. We had to deal with this, northridge in 94, then even the damn OJ trial.
That has to be one of if not the best videos you’ve posted, incredible work my friend. I remember that time as it really seems like yesterday and I agree with you also that I’m in disbelief that it’s been 30yrs we’re making progress but we have a long way to go.Great work Kurt and your producing skills are amazing!
Absolutely fantastic video Kurt, very well made. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years, and the impact this footage still has on me after all this time. I wasn’t actually in LA during the riots. I was back east at college, but had already spent time in LA and had fallen in love with the city and knew it would eventually be my home. I’ll never forget watching the footage on the news in my dorm room on the verge of tears. Thank you for taking time to show the heroes as well. “Fellow Suzuki Enthusiast” for that guys description made me laugh in the middle of an otherwise heavy video!
In 1992 when the LA riots happened, I was 18 years old and was just getting into music groups like Jane's Addiction, Sound Garden, etc.. Other then seeing all the footage of things like Reginald Denny getting pulled from his truck and beaten, there's one thing that is tattooed in my brain. I was watching a TV program (I think "A Current Affair) and during the closing credits, they were playing "Under The Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers which was released in March 1992, a month prior to the riots. They would go back and forth from the actual music video to footage of the riots. I just remember thinking to myself, I can't believe the timing of this song and how the world works in such mysterious ways. This song about LA, and how much he loves his city, became a hit, and now the whole world is watching as this iconic city burns to the ground. Was almost surreal.
'Under the Bridge' is about addiction. It did coincide with the times perfectly bc of the sentimental and solemn expression for his love for LA. If you remember how those verses end however Anthony Kiedis sang "Well I never worry but that is a lie". I think LA was a metaphor for the beauty of getting high but the aforementioned "lie" is that it leads to addiction. AK never confirmed this, but many fans think the bridge in the title actually refers to a tunnel in MacArthur Park where he'd shoot heroin. You can see this exact tunnel in the movie Falling Down (when D-Fens gets aggressively panhandled by the junkie).
Some months ago I was having a conversation with my sister's best friend. We are all born and raised in L.A I was going on 10 when the riots occured. She and my sister were 15 at the time. We grew up in Koreatown. We started talking about the riots. I always remember the smell. The smell has always stuck with me all these years later. I can still smell the city burning. I remember going to school the following day after the riots had started. The school bus was shot at, at one point the path of the school bus was blocked and a mob of people gathered to try to overturn it. My sister's friend said that the school bus they were on too was shot at and rocks were being thrown at it anything they could hurl at it was hurled at the school bus. When I got to school I was one of 3 other kids who showed up for school. That was the last day of school for a few days. As classes were canceled. As we talked more somehow we both ended up at you know what always reminds us of the riots are the red hot chili peppers. Anytime I thought of the riots I was go back to the red hot chili peppers I found it funny that she too associated them with this time.
I was 13 years old when this happened and I remember we were allowed to go home early from school and looking towards Downtown LA and seeing all of the smoke. This is probably your best video yet. I know it's going to sound silly but I think you deserve an award for it. This video made me relive that awful time better than any documentary I've seen. What an incredible video.
Hey Kurt, just wanted to say thanks for uploading this. Obviously I was aware of the LA riots but this gave a lot of good information that I didn't know of. Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time and making this video. Definitely one of your best videos
Wow man. 30 years. I was living in South Gate and a couple friends had walked over to my house to watch a Lakers playoff game. It soon became clear that there was no way this game was going to be played and the game was postponed. However, one friend had brought over a baseball bat and the other friend had a gun. It was crazy. We thought people were just going to loot anywhere and we stayed up all night with the front door open listening for anything but nothing ever happened near where I lived. Thanks for the work you put in going to those locations. Less than a year after the riots I joined the Air Force and the rest is history. Peace.
10th grade at Venice High at this time. Some places were hit near Lincoln, south of Venice Blvd. Crazy how much was packed into the 1990's and yet still can look back on with nostalgia. The Northridge earthquake was less than 2 years after this.
This is one the most well done and complete before and after fimling locations ever,I have seem alot on you tube,you have found an amazing way to relay Information of our past ,excellent job!!!!
Wow powerful video. Great work pulling that all together especially the interviews and history. Made me choke up. I was at college in Azusa at the time and working in Pasadena. Those were some crazy days during that situation. I remember it vividly.
Amazing video Kurt. Well done. I’m from South Central LA and it was chaos everywhere. People looting, destroying stores and burning buildings all around where I lived. This was an event that lasted for days and you can never forget it.
Kurt, first I would like to compliment you on another great video. Back in 92 I was just out of High School working at Pic n Save in Huntington Park, when the riots broke out. The store manager called telling us we had to close early, the next day I was hoping my store got looted to no avail. The only store looted next to ours was the Miller Outpost and a bunch of small stores down Pacific Blvd, like the guy in the video said even looters had class on what they took.
I was 11 years living in Sylmar and I was pretty much oblivious to the severity of what was happening. I knew the riots were going on and even though nothing significant happened in my area my parents were still paranoid and wouldn't let me go ride my bike outside. I'm sad to hear about Latasha Harlins. I've seen other documentaries regarding the LA riots but this is the first time I heard her story. Powerful and emotional stuff but magnificently presented, thanks for the video and education.
Being 11, seeing this on tv in wisconsin was insane bro. My wife and I are planning a 9 day Los Angeles vacation in October and your channel has definitely given me some “Off the beaten path” destinations. I’m pumped to go to 5 puntos
This is so dope. I do the same thing you did in the video but in my head lol. Going to that courthouse, sitting at Florence and Normandie, passing by the cornerstone that went up in flames, the only store that allowed my mother to get credit until she got paid. All the stores were on fire. I was 7 years old and she wasn't having it so my mom moved to Compton very soon after. Felt like we got away from all the fires and Los Angeles drama and she didn't even know or care where she was about to raise me lol. A crazy time and experience indeed. What's even crazier, I think a few properties are still considered burnt down. City is still recovering.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing a bit of your story. Definitely crazy times. And yeah, just like my friend says near the end of my video, the lot him and I were standing in had never been rebuilt after 30 years. It's crazy. Thanks again.
@@80sLife I pass that lot everyday going to work. They even built expensive homes or condos on the site where Compton drive in was at, that's across the street from that empty lot near Leuders park. Man, your videos are great.
Great video Kurt, I was 23 at the time & living in Indio Ca. I was trucking into the San Fernando Valley every day ( corner of Sepulveda & Mission right off the 118 ) I remember feeling confusion of it all. I would go into the South Central area from time to time & worked in the valley, these riots were very surreal while they were happening. Great Job with this one & super cool to see your wife be a part of it & how it affected her.
Outstanding and powerful work. Thank you! Somehow, your lighter location videos for GREASE 2 and PURPLE RAIN led me to this more somber video and I'm all the better for it.
Kurt this is absolutely phenomenal. The score and the narration added to a really epic video. Thanks for taking us through this moment in American history.
Videos like this takes a lot of work to do so I appreciate all the effort. I was 11 yo living near LA when this happened. Like you said at the end, I can't believe it's been 30 years already cause it feels like it was just yesterday.
Haunting. Absolutely haunting and tragic. This is one of your best videos, Kurt. Shot and edited with tact and respect. The music is also perfect and the witness accounts added an interesting take. Your "then and now" videos are, in my opinion, your best work.
Wow. Kurt - my guy. I haven't even played the video yet bit I just wanna say I know already I will love it. You touch on so many amazing. Nostalgic things from my youth. Even the horrific LA Riots. Please don't ever stop what you are doing brother. Your videos and channel is just incredible. Thank you.
Hey man I love your content of the film locations that you provide from then and now 🙂🙂🙂, but this one hits different just bought back me when I was kid living in New Zealand watching it on TV with my Nan just going through emotions at the time thanks man
There are plenty of ways to voice your anger at what you perceive as injustice. Looting liquor stores ,burning down your neighbourhood , violence inflicted on innocent people is not fighting against injustice , It's just pure criminality looking for an excuse to justify their actions . A very well made video.
Yeah, this is a fairly typical take, especially from white people who have little to no empathy for the people on whom they're commenting. It's not just about criminality. It's about pent-up anger over all kinds of social issues, from racial injustice to severe economic disparity. It's about people who have little seizing on an opportunity, illegal and unjust as it may be, to finally get a little something for themselves. And in the case of the L.A. riots specifically, a lot of it had to do with MAJOR tensions between local residents (mostly black) and store-owners (almost entirely not black). I live in a shitty part of the valley and there is literally a liquor store at or near every major intersection. Often times more than one on any given block. These shop-owners are exploiting and perpetuating poverty for their own means. I'm not saying they deserve to have their stores looted or burnt down, but I also wouldn't have a lot of sympathy for them, given the damage they're enabling in my neighborhood. Before passing judgment, try to put yourself in the shoes of the people you're judging and understand where they're coming from.
Not condoning any criminality but looking at these events solely from this perspective is very limited in scope and depth of understanding to how these circumstances came to be in the first. place.
@@JoshHarrisPhotography you are typical enabler that wants to treat certain races or cultures like animals incapable of being responsible for their actions or free from being criticized.
Black people have been exploited and abused since the inception of this country. Not condoning violence, but I understand the rage and hurt. The fact that BLM movement exists should tell you we still have major problems with systemic racism, especially in law enforcement and our justice system. Trying showing a little sympathy if you can't show solidarity.
This is like something I clearly remember. I was 13-14 years old living in southcentral at the time. Lived on Central and 40th street. And I so remember the fires so closed to my house. it was so crazy. I was not allowed to go near our window. Crazy times and so sad this happened.
I remember when this happened. You did excellent work and a much better balance of the people and events. Thank you to everyone and your family for sharing your memories.
Wow, Kurt that was a CBS 60 minutes video Quality. The view from today to the riot was just amazing and the interviews too. You did an absolute brilliant job! I was living in Buffalo, New York and I was born in 1982, I remember my mother listening on the radio about the riots. Then last December I was in Los Angeles for work walking from a double tree on Los Angeles street near Little Tokyo. I was saw the vacant lot in Los Angeles street, and wondering what was there. Never knew that was the epicentre of the riots. Brilliant job!
I’ve watched and enjoyed several of your videos but this one… is the one that made me subscribe! Outstanding work on this. I was enthralled every second and your calm demeanor and no judgement approach was perfect in every way. Thank you for this!
This video was done on another level. Thank you. I was 12 when I watched the horror unfold on our little tv. Completely helpless seeing people getting pulled and jumped from their cars for no GD reason. My young self remembers feeling heartbroken and relieved to not be anywhere near the areas affected. Praying for the innocent ones who lost their lives and businesses during the chaos.
Wow Kurt. What an INCREDIBLE documentary video. Beautifully documented from many unique, important and heartbreaking perspectives. Your filmmaking talents really shine through and illuminate this important time in history for future generations.
Amazing job doing the video Kurt, I remember watching the riots on TV here on the East coast. Making videos and documenting the darker side of the 1980's and 90's is not bad at all. Would love to see a video on the North Hollywood Shootout or other crime locations from back then.
Absolutely a incredible documentary video. Watched every second of it. It definitely refreshed my memories of seeing the LA riots unfolded on television when I was a kid. Very horrific events back then. We literally saw convoys of police & military vehicles heading up to LA from OC. I also got a friend that lived in Lakewood at the time, LAPD called him and every other caucasian in that area to drive to Beverly Hills for safety. When he got there, he said Beverly Hills was on total lockdown with a city wide blockade of police cars and the national guard. He and others was given food; told to stay inside Beverly Hills city limits until the riots have ended or when the police had retaken control of the city.
Great job on this. Dont be afraid to post what you want. All of our minds think differently and something you think we wanna see, go for it. Keep telling us your story…thats what its all about :)
Thank you for putting the addresses of these locations. I saw this growing up always wanted to know where exactly all these video footages were taken place, I was living in FV and you could see fire from there even. Crazy times before social media.. I somewhat miss it more that today.. everyone was outside
Wow, brought back memories. I grew up in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles. I was 6 years old when this occurred. My Uncle Johnny R.I.P. woke me up to go to the store with him. The news was on and L.A. was on fire. We drove a couple blocks and hit PCH and Blinn Ave, and the car shop was ablaze. I don't remember seeing a lot of people. But, when we got to Avalon and Anaheim St. the Thrifty was on fire too. When we got home we just stood in and it was crazy for several days outside.
I remember like it was yesterday. I was just out of high school living in the valley. U could feel the tension from just walking into a grocery store .
Very well thought out and presented video. Often times history gets swept under the carpet due to it's content, but this IS part of our history and it needs to be remembered. Many peoples lives were changed as a result and hopefully some things have improved since then. Great job Kurt!
The video was extremely well done. It was definitely a sad time in history. I remember some of the things that went on but I was only 9 so not much else comes to memory. I love all the videos you do, but this one I think is the best yet.
This was a amazing video was put together very well so well wish it was longer lol...you need to do one on the crazy bank robbery shoot out you guys had in LA from the 90s. GREAT VIDEO
I was 25 when all hell broke loose. I'm up in the Bay Area & my heart sank when the riots took over the Southland. I went on a roadtrip a lot back then with friends to visit Disneyland, Universal & ect hoping it was calmer.. thanks for the update. You always do excellent!
I remember watching the events of this horrible situation going on on the news from up here in Canada, and thinking how devastating it all must have been for those of you in the thick of it. Such senseless waste and tragedy, and while I hope we have evolved from that sometimes I feel it is still ongoing with various repeat events echoing the sentiments of the violence and terror of the LA Riots even still... Great video, you did a great job of pulling the story together and inserting old footage along with your personal accounts. It certainly isn't something that should be soon forgotten. Nice to finally meet Rebecca also 👋
Thank you for putting this together and sharing with us. I’ve always found LA92 to be a fascinating subject and a true turning point in US history. God Bless you 🙏
I was working at a Longs in San Diego, and we were given instructions on what to do if we needed to close the store because of looters. We had no idea how far the rioting would spread.
Thank you for making this video. I was living in LA at the time. I remember driving through some streets after the riots and seeing so many businesses burned down. I was 13.
I remember watching this whole event unfold vividly back in 92. I went to visit my father on my summer vacation, who was living in Los Angeles at the time of the L.A. riots. I remember riding around Los Angeles with my father, seeing all the aftermath of this horrific event. This is definitely a moment in history that I will never forget. I was 16 years old at that time. Even though this happened 30 years ago, it's still fresh in my memory, like it was yesterday. Much respect to you for doing this video my friend. 🙏🏾💯
This is nothing compared to the 2020 blm/antifa riots
Thank you
Damn Everytime we see allegations like this in other parts of the USA. Here in California we have to look back in the mirror to understand that the same happened to us decades ago and flashbacks of the 92 event is still there even though the players have changed.
Yes, I've been a fan of your content for years brother. I lived down the street from the swap meets on the North East side of the intersection of Vermont and Manchester. I was 12 during the riots. If I can request please do a before and after of University Village. I have seen some classics there, Kindergarten Cop, House Party, and White Nights. I even watched Battlefield Earth at that theater. I remember walking on the bricks like yesterday!🙂 I appreciate your channel friend!
Tough one to relive. I can't believe it's been 30 years. You, sir, are a fantastic documentarian.
I can’t believe it’s already been 30 years since the LA riots I was 21 years old and remember watching it unfold on tv
I'm same age, and this was all over news in Northern Ireland, strange as all we ever knew was shootings bombings and riots..
Seeing this in a place like LA was very strange as it was portrayed as the global place of all thats hip an cool in the 80's
Same here I was only 5 at the time but damn every police brutality video that has been released after Rodney King every other part of the USA. Everything gets compared to this event. In this decade we have to talk about George Floyd as the Rodney King of this era.
You smashed it Kurt. As well as showing us the locations, you told the story really well. I for one understand the whole event a lot more now than I did previously.
Thank you so much. That's a great compliment.
Heck yeah man. I was there! Thanks for the post. I was 21 back then. I cried. Yeah f-ing cried at the destruction and hate. This made me shed a tear too. Old memories. Thanks again brother. You do good work. ❤️✌🏿❤️✌🏼❤️✌🏼❤️✌🏾❤️✌🏻❤️
I was beaten for coming to the aid of my neighbor who was pulled from his car at the corner of Harvard and 5th. As he was pulled from his vehicle, they yelled homophobic slurs. I recognized two of the mob members as being co-workers- friends of mine. As I tried to intervene I heard "oh f***, kill the cracker-ass m***** f*****" and "bust that Whitey ass!" I regained consciousness a little while later on the sidewalk. My girlfriend put me on her bicycle and rode me to St. Vincent. I had a torn retina, broken left Radius, two broken ribs, cracked jaw, a ruptured spleen, two shallow stab wounds on chest, a cut to my jaw where they tried to slice my throat, and a broken bones in my right hand, I went down swinging.
I identified five of the eight attackers but the police and DA didn't arrest or file charges. Never did get a straight answer on that one.
My gal at the time, Li Xiu, saved my life by staying calm during that slow ride to the hospital. Thank you ZeeZee.
Needless to say I've come away with a different point of view of the riots, they've really opened my eyes to race.
That was chilling to read. That was brave of you to help your neighbor and very glad you made it out okay.
karma has a way of getting justice. Im sure your attackers were gangsters or street thugs whom most are dead or in jail now. I remember they shot a white guy while he was driving and checking out one of his businesses in that area of Leimert Park off of Slauson or Vernon. The mob tried to continue to beat the white driver as he was already shot and dead. The cops had to tow his car out of there with his body still in the car
Hell ya. Never turn your back on them in groups, or even go near them in groups. That's a hard lesson to learn.
Sometimes the police will not file charges despite the overwhelming amount of evidence.
Sorry you had to go through that. So the perpetrators got away with a racist hate crime?
I mean, that's basically what it was, right? Sounds like it from all the vile words they used.
I don't condone racism/violence from any group/race of people. It needs to be called out whoever does it.
Sounds like you was lucky to survive. And I'm betting they never gave you a second thought. Man, that's just pure evil.
I was born in the 70s so this channel hits home for me. The events you cover and the scenes you show are fond, and some not so fond memories I have of the past
I appreciate all your efforts in this video, I was 13 years old living in Northern California and watched the news constantly over the next couple days.
Thank you
I can see why you had reservations to tackle a here and now video of this subject. Well done Kurt for producing another great video. You did a fantastic job 👏👏
Thank you so much
I am sitting here blubbering watching this. It brings it all back. Though I didn't live in Southern California then, I lived there when I was a kid much earlier, I felt like home was being destroyed and as I still love LA and was there to visit not long ago, it's history means a lot to me. I didn't start crying until you showed the part with Reginald Denny dragged out of his truck and I remember watching that live in horror as so many did. When you show the good people that lived in that area come to his rescue is when I lost it. I admit to being extra emotional during these very trying times, but seeing the goodness in people come through all of that horror, doing the right thing at their own great risk,, touched me so much. As you stated I know you usually do light stuff, but this needed to be shown and you showed it magnificently, if such a thing could be said about something so terrible. I totally get the anger involved, and I like to think we've improved since then but a lot of times I doubt that unfortunately. Anyway, I just discovered you recently and you're one of my favorite UA-camrs and I have very few.
You're emotionally weak. I pity you.
Hey Kurt, I think you've provided the most insightful version of these events I've seen. Great job on this!
Agreed. So much has been forgotten since the Rodney King Riots became Los Angeles doesn't want to remember. We watched LA burn on the new big screens of the brand new Costco in Riverside. My husband's neighbors patrolled Norco on horseback. A professor told us how she was taking the bus home from college and the verdict was read. One side of the city was Dante's inferno and the other side of the freeway was untouched.
Much respect bro awesome work with this video...
My brother… this is the greatest video you’ve ever done. I was 18 years old and a senior in high school, I had just came back from a football recruiting trip at UConn when this happened. I vividly remember this. We had our own mini riots in jersey and NYC at that time. Thanks for doing this video with an unbiased fact filled look into the past and present. Much respect and much love
All the way from Northern Ireland, I love looking back over the 80's 90's that you cover.
L.A. was the rock music and cool trend central 😎
Thank you!
Can’t believe it’s been 30 years. Remember watching the riots on tv.
My uncle was out there during this He was working on a construction job. He brought stuff back he found a night stick,,riot shield, white helmet the cops were wearing, a revolver and some pictures all stuff he found on the streets he said. looks like to me he was out in it but he didn't talk about it I miss my uncle lost him last year
Wow, imagine finding stuff like that on the street. Sorry for your loss
Hey Kurt great video...... I was working in the Valley at the Bank of America in Panorama City at the time Roscoe/Van Nuys. The bank received a call not long after the verdict that a mob was moving down the street and coming to loot us and the Panorama Mall. They hit Tower Records, and the Monte Carlo Deli at Van Nuys and Parthenia first. It gave us just enough time to throw all the cash and teller drawers back in the vault and split. Thank god the LAPD had notified us to close as everything was out of control. When we cam back the next mornig the mall was ripped apart, they essentially destroyed Montgomery Wards and I don't think that location ever recovered or opened up again. Thanks for the memories and great videos !!
I was like 15. I remember watching the news and being worried about my mom who was on her way home. When she did finally arrived I asked her if she saw anything, SHE DID. She said that she was on Florence and that people were waving her away because rioters were pulling people out of their cars. Shows you that there were good people during the riots too.
They saved her life.😥😌
This is such a great video you made about the riots. I'm not from Los Angeles, but I was 12 and a half years old at the time of the riots. I remember all of this like it was 1992. Great video 80's life.
Maybe some of your best work, but definitely the most important video you've done. You did it in a way that was respectful to the memories people have of these events. You are a true historian. Thank you Kurt..from Calgary.
I grew up in south central and I’ll never forget these days. The burnt business at the 12 min mark was actually around the corner from where I used to live. This building burned down the first night at around midnight. My parents house was the 2nd house on the block, there was an open field next to our backyard so it technically bordered a big street. Because of that it became dangerous for us to eat dinner at the table. There were sounds of guns being fired and occasionally we could hear bullets ricocheting nearby. It feels like I remember the riots winding down by the time the National Guard showed up but I may be wrong about that. There are still some spaces that were destroyed that have not been rebuilt even 30 years later. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 90’s was crazy. We had to deal with this, northridge in 94, then even the damn OJ trial.
That has to be one of if not the best videos you’ve posted, incredible work my friend. I remember that time as it really seems like yesterday and I agree with you also that I’m in disbelief that it’s been 30yrs we’re making progress but we have a long way to go.Great work Kurt and your producing skills are amazing!
Amazing job Kurt. Thank you.
My pleasure! Thank you!!
Absolutely fantastic video Kurt, very well made. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years, and the impact this footage still has on me after all this time. I wasn’t actually in LA during the riots. I was back east at college, but had already spent time in LA and had fallen in love with the city and knew it would eventually be my home. I’ll never forget watching the footage on the news in my dorm room on the verge of tears. Thank you for taking time to show the heroes as well.
“Fellow Suzuki Enthusiast” for that guys description made me laugh in the middle of an otherwise heavy video!
Another Suzuki Enthusiast Here. I Have A 1990 Geo Metro Which Is A Suzuki.
In 1992 when the LA riots happened, I was 18 years old and was just getting into music groups like Jane's Addiction, Sound Garden, etc..
Other then seeing all the footage of things like Reginald Denny getting pulled from his truck and beaten, there's one thing that is tattooed in my brain. I was watching a TV program (I think "A Current Affair) and during the closing credits, they were playing "Under The Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers which was released in March 1992, a month prior to the riots. They would go back and forth from the actual music video to footage of the riots.
I just remember thinking to myself, I can't believe the timing of this song and how the world works in such mysterious ways. This song about LA, and how much he loves his city, became a hit, and now the whole world is watching as this iconic city burns to the ground. Was almost surreal.
'Under the Bridge' is about addiction. It did coincide with the times perfectly bc of the sentimental and solemn expression for his love for LA. If you remember how those verses end however Anthony Kiedis sang "Well I never worry but that is a lie". I think LA was a metaphor for the beauty of getting high but the aforementioned "lie" is that it leads to addiction.
AK never confirmed this, but many fans think the bridge in the title actually refers to a tunnel in MacArthur Park where he'd shoot heroin. You can see this exact tunnel in the movie Falling Down (when D-Fens gets aggressively panhandled by the junkie).
@@jackedkerouac4414 What Anthony is saying was, when he was addicted he felt alone, and his only friend was the city of LA.
Some months ago I was having a conversation with my sister's best friend. We are all born and raised in L.A I was going on 10 when the riots occured. She and my sister were 15 at the time. We grew up in Koreatown. We started talking about the riots. I always remember the smell. The smell has always stuck with me all these years later. I can still smell the city burning. I remember going to school the following day after the riots had started. The school bus was shot at, at one point the path of the school bus was blocked and a mob of people gathered to try to overturn it. My sister's friend said that the school bus they were on too was shot at and rocks were being thrown at it anything they could hurl at it was hurled at the school bus. When I got to school I was one of 3 other kids who showed up for school. That was the last day of school for a few days. As classes were canceled. As we talked more somehow we both ended up at you know what always reminds us of the riots are the red hot chili peppers. Anytime I thought of the riots I was go back to the red hot chili peppers I found it funny that she too associated them with this time.
So amazing the way our brains connect music to major events in our lives.
I was 13 years old when this happened and I remember we were allowed to go home early from school and looking towards Downtown LA and seeing all of the smoke. This is probably your best video yet. I know it's going to sound silly but I think you deserve an award for it. This video made me relive that awful time better than any documentary I've seen. What an incredible video.
Hey Kurt, just wanted to say thanks for uploading this. Obviously I was aware of the LA riots but this gave a lot of good information that I didn't know of. Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time and making this video. Definitely one of your best videos
Wow man. 30 years. I was living in South Gate and a couple friends had walked over to my house to watch a Lakers playoff game. It soon became clear that there was no way this game was going to be played and the game was postponed. However, one friend had brought over a baseball bat and the other friend had a gun. It was crazy. We thought people were just going to loot anywhere and we stayed up all night with the front door open listening for anything but nothing ever happened near where I lived. Thanks for the work you put in going to those locations. Less than a year after the riots I joined the Air Force and the rest is history. Peace.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching. They were crazy times for sure
10th grade at Venice High at this time. Some places were hit near Lincoln, south of Venice Blvd. Crazy how much was packed into the 1990's and yet still can look back on with nostalgia. The Northridge earthquake was less than 2 years after this.
This is one the most well done and complete before and after fimling locations ever,I have seem alot on you tube,you have found an amazing way to relay Information of our past ,excellent job!!!!
Thank you very much
Wow powerful video. Great work pulling that all together especially the interviews and history. Made me choke up. I was at college in Azusa at the time and working in Pasadena. Those were some crazy days during that situation. I remember it vividly.
Amazing video Kurt. Well done. I’m from South Central LA and it was chaos everywhere. People looting, destroying stores and burning buildings all around where I lived. This was an event that lasted for days and you can never forget it.
I remember following this on the news, what a crazy and tragic time. Great video 🤙
This vlog is your best yet! Absolutely enthralling! Keep up the good work
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Kurt, first I would like to compliment you on another great video. Back in 92 I was just out of High School working at Pic n Save in Huntington Park, when the riots broke out. The store manager called telling us we had to close early, the next day I was hoping my store got looted to no avail. The only store looted next to ours was the Miller Outpost and a bunch of small stores down Pacific Blvd, like the guy in the video said even looters had class on what they took.
I was 11 years living in Sylmar and I was pretty much oblivious to the severity of what was happening. I knew the riots were going on and even though nothing significant happened in my area my parents were still paranoid and wouldn't let me go ride my bike outside. I'm sad to hear about Latasha Harlins. I've seen other documentaries regarding the LA riots but this is the first time I heard her story. Powerful and emotional stuff but magnificently presented, thanks for the video and education.
I lived in sylmar too on Sayre off of foothill
Thank you so much! Makes me sad that this is the first time you're hearing about Latasha. That's proof that her name needs to be spoke more.
Being 11, seeing this on tv in wisconsin was insane bro. My wife and I are planning a 9 day Los Angeles vacation in October and your channel has definitely given me some
“Off the beaten path” destinations. I’m pumped to go to 5 puntos
This is so dope. I do the same thing you did in the video but in my head lol. Going to that courthouse, sitting at Florence and Normandie, passing by the cornerstone that went up in flames, the only store that allowed my mother to get credit until she got paid. All the stores were on fire. I was 7 years old and she wasn't having it so my mom moved to Compton very soon after. Felt like we got away from all the fires and Los Angeles drama and she didn't even know or care where she was about to raise me lol. A crazy time and experience indeed. What's even crazier, I think a few properties are still considered burnt down. City is still recovering.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing a bit of your story. Definitely crazy times. And yeah, just like my friend says near the end of my video, the lot him and I were standing in had never been rebuilt after 30 years. It's crazy. Thanks again.
@@80sLife I pass that lot everyday going to work. They even built expensive homes or condos on the site where Compton drive in was at, that's across the street from that empty lot near Leuders park. Man, your videos are great.
This is true that many parts of the city hasn’t recovered from the riots.
Great video Kurt, I was 23 at the time & living in Indio Ca. I was trucking into the San Fernando Valley every day ( corner of Sepulveda & Mission right off the 118 ) I remember feeling confusion of it all. I would go into the South Central area from time to time & worked in the valley, these riots were very surreal while they were happening. Great Job with this one & super cool to see your wife be a part of it & how it affected her.
Thanks for the memories man. It’s sad and seems we’re still healing from this. 😥
My pleasure. Thank you. And I agree
Outstanding and powerful work. Thank you! Somehow, your lighter location videos for GREASE 2 and PURPLE RAIN led me to this more somber video and I'm all the better for it.
Kurt this is absolutely phenomenal. The score and the narration added to a really epic video. Thanks for taking us through this moment in American history.
Thank you so much. That means a lot to me. Thank you.
Videos like this takes a lot of work to do so I appreciate all the effort. I was 11 yo living near LA when this happened. Like you said at the end, I can't believe it's been 30 years already cause it feels like it was just yesterday.
That was a well filmed and well produced episode
Thanks for the video Kurt!!
My pleasure. Thank you
Amazing video, nice job with the locations and the interviews. This is literally one of the best videos I've came across regarding the L.A riots.
Haunting. Absolutely haunting and tragic. This is one of your best videos, Kurt. Shot and edited with tact and respect. The music is also perfect and the witness accounts added an interesting take. Your "then and now" videos are, in my opinion, your best work.
Wow. Kurt - my guy. I haven't even played the video yet bit I just wanna say I know already I will love it. You touch on so many amazing. Nostalgic things from my youth. Even the horrific LA Riots. Please don't ever stop what you are doing brother. Your videos and channel is just incredible. Thank you.
Thank you so much!! I'm not stopping! Full steam ahead 🙂
Thank you for doing this video!
Hey man I love your content of the film locations that you provide from then and now 🙂🙂🙂, but this one hits different just bought back me when I was kid living in New Zealand watching it on TV with my Nan just going through emotions at the time thanks man
My pleasure. Thank you!
There are plenty of ways to voice your anger at what you perceive as injustice. Looting liquor stores ,burning down your neighbourhood , violence inflicted on innocent people is not fighting against injustice , It's just pure criminality looking for an excuse to justify their actions .
A very well made video.
Yeah, this is a fairly typical take, especially from white people who have little to no empathy for the people on whom they're commenting. It's not just about criminality. It's about pent-up anger over all kinds of social issues, from racial injustice to severe economic disparity. It's about people who have little seizing on an opportunity, illegal and unjust as it may be, to finally get a little something for themselves. And in the case of the L.A. riots specifically, a lot of it had to do with MAJOR tensions between local residents (mostly black) and store-owners (almost entirely not black). I live in a shitty part of the valley and there is literally a liquor store at or near every major intersection. Often times more than one on any given block. These shop-owners are exploiting and perpetuating poverty for their own means. I'm not saying they deserve to have their stores looted or burnt down, but I also wouldn't have a lot of sympathy for them, given the damage they're enabling in my neighborhood. Before passing judgment, try to put yourself in the shoes of the people you're judging and understand where they're coming from.
Not condoning any criminality but looking at these events solely from this perspective is very limited in scope and depth of understanding to how these circumstances came to be in the first. place.
@@JoshHarrisPhotography you are typical enabler that wants to treat certain races or cultures like animals incapable of being responsible for their actions or free from being criticized.
@@JoshHarrisPhotography well said
Black people have been exploited and abused since the inception of this country. Not condoning violence, but I understand the rage and hurt. The fact that BLM movement exists should tell you we still have major problems with systemic racism, especially in law enforcement and our justice system. Trying showing a little sympathy if you can't show solidarity.
Great video Kurt, really appreciate you showing different facts, points of view and how it effected local people.
Such a well put together video I just come back on all of my family's phones to come subscribe and comment appropriate your hard work
Heavy stuff, but a pretty excellent and authentic history lesson. Thank you!
You should have a million subscribers by now!
Great video! Thanks.
Thank you!
This is like something I clearly remember. I was 13-14 years old living in southcentral at the time. Lived on Central and 40th street. And I so remember the fires so closed to my house. it was so crazy. I was not allowed to go near our window. Crazy times and so sad this happened.
You did a GREAT JOB documenting this, thank you.
Excellent video my friend! Also very eye opening to see. Very sad side effects of the uprising. Really loving your channel.
Thank you so much. Thank you for watching
I remember when this happened. You did excellent work and a much better balance of the people and events. Thank you to everyone and your family for sharing your memories.
I watched this video with interest, very well done, easy to follow. Great stuff. Greetings from Italy
Fantastic presentation and your best video yet. Thanks for posting. 👍
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Great Video Bro.... I can't believe it's been 30 years!! The valley was crazy back then!!!
Thank you. Time flies
Wow, Kurt that was a CBS 60 minutes video Quality. The view from today to the riot was just amazing and the interviews too. You did an absolute brilliant job! I was living in Buffalo, New York and I was born in 1982, I remember my mother listening on the radio about the riots. Then last December I was in Los Angeles for work walking from a double tree on Los Angeles street near Little Tokyo. I was saw the vacant lot in Los Angeles street, and wondering what was there. Never knew that was the epicentre of the riots. Brilliant job!
I’ve watched and enjoyed several of your videos but this one… is the one that made me subscribe! Outstanding work on this. I was enthralled every second and your calm demeanor and no judgement approach was perfect in every way. Thank you for this!
This video was done on another level. Thank you. I was 12 when I watched the horror unfold on our little tv. Completely helpless seeing people getting pulled and jumped from their cars for no GD reason. My young self remembers feeling heartbroken and relieved to not be anywhere near the areas affected. Praying for the innocent ones who lost their lives and businesses during the chaos.
Wow Kurt. What an INCREDIBLE documentary video. Beautifully documented from many unique, important and heartbreaking perspectives. Your filmmaking talents really shine through and illuminate this important time in history for future generations.
Great video! Exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you!
Amazing job doing the video Kurt, I remember watching the riots on TV here on the East coast. Making videos and documenting the darker side of the 1980's and 90's is not bad at all. Would love to see a video on the North Hollywood Shootout or other crime locations from back then.
Absolutely a incredible documentary video. Watched every second of it. It definitely refreshed my memories of seeing the LA riots unfolded on television when I was a kid. Very horrific events back then. We literally saw convoys of police & military vehicles heading up to LA from OC. I also got a friend that lived in Lakewood at the time, LAPD called him and every other caucasian in that area to drive to Beverly Hills for safety. When he got there, he said Beverly Hills was on total lockdown with a city wide blockade of police cars and the national guard. He and others was given food; told to stay inside Beverly Hills city limits until the riots have ended or when the police had retaken control of the city.
Kurt what a heart wrenchingly beautiful take. You really nailed this!
I was about 13 and remember a lot of your clips from the news. This is one of your best vids yet! Keep it up!
Great job on this. Dont be afraid to post what you want. All of our minds think differently and something you think we wanna see, go for it. Keep telling us your story…thats what its all about :)
Thank you for putting the addresses of these locations. I saw this growing up always wanted to know where exactly all these video footages were taken place, I was living in FV and you could see fire from there even. Crazy times before social media.. I somewhat miss it more that today.. everyone was outside
Wow, brought back memories. I grew up in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles. I was 6 years old when this occurred. My Uncle Johnny R.I.P. woke me up to go to the store with him. The news was on and L.A. was on fire. We drove a couple blocks and hit PCH and Blinn Ave, and the car shop was ablaze. I don't remember seeing a lot of people. But, when we got to Avalon and Anaheim St. the Thrifty was on fire too. When we got home we just stood in and it was crazy for several days outside.
Awesome presentation thank you 🙏
Thank you so much!
I remember like it was yesterday. I was just out of high school living in the valley. U could feel the tension from just walking into a grocery store .
Amazing job on this Kurt, thank you.
14:40 my heartbreaks for Miguel Ortiz, 18
Possibly just a stock boy? Maybe a recent high school grad?
Very sad. thank you for watching
Very well thought out and presented video. Often times history gets swept under the carpet due to it's content, but this IS part of our history and it needs to be remembered. Many peoples lives were changed as a result and hopefully some things have improved since then. Great job Kurt!
Thank you for putting the Hero's in the video. All these people deserve the recognition for their good deeds! Much respect.
The video was extremely well done. It was definitely a sad time in history. I remember some of the things that went on but I was only 9 so not much else comes to memory. I love all the videos you do, but this one I think is the best yet.
An absolutely phenomenal video.
My congratulations and thanks 👌🏼
Wow. You really did an amazing job. My wife and I always love your videos, but this one is really special. Thank you for all that you do.
This was a amazing video was put together very well so well wish it was longer lol...you need to do one on the crazy bank robbery shoot out you guys had in LA from the 90s. GREAT VIDEO
Thank you so much!! The North Hollywood shoot out would be a very interesting topic
Thanks man. Nice work
Excellent video Kurt and thank you for uploading the video 👍
I was 25 when all hell broke loose. I'm up in the Bay Area & my heart sank when the riots took over the Southland. I went on a roadtrip a lot back then with friends to visit Disneyland, Universal & ect hoping it was calmer.. thanks for the update. You always do excellent!
Kurt this was a really good video. I live in Georgia and we saw what was happening there in LA on the news each night.
Great video, thanks for making this
My pleasure. Thank you
I love your movie location videos Kurt, but this was something else. An excellent documentary worthy of airing on one of the main TV networks.
Well edited, as a UK subscriber this had lots of info and footage I've never seen before.
Thank you! That is a huge compliment.
I remember watching the events of this horrible situation going on on the news from up here in Canada, and thinking how devastating it all must have been for those of you in the thick of it. Such senseless waste and tragedy, and while I hope we have evolved from that sometimes I feel it is still ongoing with various repeat events echoing the sentiments of the violence and terror of the LA Riots even still... Great video, you did a great job of pulling the story together and inserting old footage along with your personal accounts. It certainly isn't something that should be soon forgotten. Nice to finally meet Rebecca also 👋
Taking your videos to the next level. I see your quality over quantity approach is paying off.
awesome job, thank you
Thank you for putting this together and sharing with us. I’ve always found LA92 to be a fascinating subject and a true turning point in US history. God Bless you 🙏
Thank you so much!!
Love your channel. & truly respect you for covering this topic. Keep up the great work!
GREAT JOB Curt. Your videos just get better and better!!
Just a marvelous piece of video, well researched, informative and sobering
I was working at a Longs in San Diego, and we were given instructions on what to do if we needed to close the store because of looters. We had no idea how far the rioting would spread.
Thank you for making this video. I was living in LA at the time. I remember driving through some streets after the riots and seeing so many businesses burned down. I was 13.