Lora King, the daughter of Rodney King, whose brutal beating of white police sparked riots in Los Angeles 20 years ago, spoke Wednesday about the case of her father and the death of George Floyd.
Asked if she felt we would see justice for Floyd’s death, she replied, “I don’t want to be negative, but no.”
“I still don’t feel like the cops who were involved in beating my father – I don’t think we got justice for them,” she said. “None of them got long-term sentences … I believe one is employed in the Santa Monica department or the Culver city department. It’s very depressing for me. Because it means he got his job back, which means someone else is suffering now because I I’m sure he didn’t learn because I’m sure he didn’t get a long-term sentence. “
Some context: In 1991, Rodney King was severely beaten by LAPD officials after a quick chase through Los Angeles County.
Footage of the beating, recorded by witnesses, shows King hitting police batons more than 50 times. There were over 20 officers at the scene, mostly from the LAPD. King suffered 11 fractures and other injuries from the beating.
Four police officers were indicted but acquitted – and black Los Angeles erupted in rage. The riots that followed ensued more than 50 deaths and $ 1 billion in property damage.
Laura on the death of George Floyd: Lora King was about the same age as George Floyd’s daughter during the beatings and riots.
King said what happened to her father was “something I live with every day. And it’s something that (George Floyd’s daughter) unfortunately lives with every day. I don’t want that with anyone.”
“You know, I was beaten by my father that night. I lost a part of him, but fortunately, by God’s grace, I didn’t lose him … as for that night, I had to hug my father after that. Although he was never the same. He will never gain that opportunity. And, for me, it’s – it’s painful, “she said.
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