[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 1, 1992]
[Pages 685-687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 685]]

Address to the Nation on the Civil Disturbances in Los Angeles, 
California

May 1, 1992
    Tonight I want to talk to you about violence in our cities and 
justice for our citizens, two big issues that have collided on the 
streets of Los Angeles. First, an update on where matters stand in Los 
Angeles.
    Fifteen minutes ago I talked to California's Governor Pete Wilson 
and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. They told me that last night was 
better than the night before; today, calmer than yesterday. But there 
were still incidents of random terror and lawlessness this afternoon.
    In the wake of the first night's violence, I spoke directly to both 
Governor Wilson and Mayor Bradley to assess the situation and to offer 
assistance. There are two very different issues at hand. One is the 
urgent need to restore order. What followed Wednesday's jury verdict in 
the Rodney King case was a tragic series of events for the city of Los 
Angeles: Nearly 4,000 fires, staggering property damage, hundreds of 
injuries, and the senseless deaths of over 30 people.
    To restore order right now, there are 3,000 National Guardsmen on 
duty in the city of Los Angeles. Another 2,200 stand ready to provide 
immediate support. To supplement this effort I've taken several 
additional actions. First, this morning I've ordered the Justice 
Department to dispatch 1,000 Federal riot-trained law enforcement 
officials to help restore order in Los Angeles beginning tonight. These 
officials include FBI SWAT teams, special riot control units of the U.S. 
Marshals Service, the Border Patrol, and other Federal law enforcement 
agencies. Second, another 1,000 Federal law enforcement officials are on 
standby alert, should they be needed. Third, early today I directed 
3,000 members of the 7th Infantry and 1,500 marines to stand by at El 
Toro Air Station, California. Tonight, at the request of the Governor 
and the Mayor, I have committed these troops to help restore order. I'm 
also federalizing the National Guard, and I'm instructing General Colin 
Powell to place all those troops under a central command.
    What we saw last night and the night before in Los Angeles is not 
about civil rights. It's not about the great cause of equality that all 
Americans must uphold. It's not a message of protest. It's been the 
brutality of a mob, pure and simple. And let me assure you: I will use 
whatever force is necessary to restore order. What is going on in L.A. 
must and will stop. As your President I guarantee you this violence will 
end.
    Now let's talk about the beating of Rodney King, because beyond the 
urgent need to restore order is the second issue, the question of 
justice: Whether Rodney King's Federal civil rights were violated. What 
you saw and what I saw on the TV video was revolting. I felt anger. I 
felt pain. I thought: How can I explain this to my grandchildren?
    Civil rights leaders and just plain citizens fearful of and 
sometimes victimized by police brutality were deeply hurt. And I know 
good and decent policemen who were equally appalled.
    I spoke this morning to many leaders of the civil rights community. 
And they saw the video, as we all did. For 14 months they waited 
patiently, hopefully. They waited for the system to work. And when the 
verdict came in, they felt betrayed. Viewed from outside the trial, it 
was hard to understand how the verdict could possibly square with the 
video. Those civil rights leaders with whom I met were stunned. And so 
was I, and so was Barbara, and so were my kids.
    But the verdict Wednesday was not the end of the process. The 
Department of Justice had started its own investigation immediately 
after the Rodney King incident and was monitoring the State 
investigation and trial. And so let me tell you what actions we are 
taking on the Federal level to ensure that justice is served.
    Within one hour of the verdict, I directed the Justice Department to 
move into high gear on its own independent criminal investigation into 
the case. And next, on Thursday, five Federal prosecutors were on their

[[Page 686]]

way to Los Angeles. Our Justice Department has consistently demonstrated 
its ability to investigate fully a matter like this.
    Since 1988, the Justice Department has successfully prosecuted over 
100 law enforcement officials for excessive violence. I am confident 
that in this case, the Department of Justice will act as it should. 
Federal grand jury action is underway today in Los Angeles. Subpoenas 
are being issued. Evidence is being reviewed. The Federal effort in this 
case will be expeditious, and it will be fair. It will not be driven by 
mob violence but by respect for due process and the rule of law.
    We owe it to all Americans who put their faith in the law to see 
that justice is served. But as we move forward on this or any other 
case, we must remember the fundamental tenet of our legal system. Every 
American, whether accused or accuser, is entitled to protection of his 
or her rights.
    In this highly controversial court case, a verdict was handed down 
by a California jury. To Americans of all races who were shocked by the 
verdict, let me say this: You must understand that our system of justice 
provides for the peaceful, orderly means of addressing this frustration. 
We must respect the process of law whether or not we agree with the 
outcome. There's a difference between frustration with the law and 
direct assaults upon our legal system.
    In a civilized society, there can be no excuse, no excuse for the 
murder, arson, theft, and vandalism that have terrorized the law-abiding 
citizens of Los Angeles. Mayor Bradley, just a few minutes ago, 
mentioned to me his particular concern, among others, regarding the 
safety of the Korean community. My heart goes out to them and all others 
who have suffered losses.
    The wanton destruction of life and property is not a legitimate 
expression of outrage with injustice. It is itself injustice. And no 
rationalization, no matter how heartfelt, no matter how eloquent, can 
make it otherwise.
    Television has become a medium that often brings us together. But 
its vivid display of Rodney King's beating shocked us. The America it 
has shown us on our screens these last 48 hours has appalled us. None of 
this is what we wish to think of as American. It's as if we were looking 
in a mirror that distorted our better selves and turned us ugly. We 
cannot let that happen. We cannot do that to ourselves.
    We've seen images in the last 48 hours that we will never forget. 
Some were horrifying almost beyond belief. But there were other acts, 
small but significant acts in all this ugliness that give us hope. I'm 
one who respects our police. They keep the peace. They face danger every 
day. They help kids. They don't make a lot of money, but they care about 
their communities and their country. Thousands of police officers and 
firefighters are risking their lives right now on the streets of L.A., 
and they deserve our support. Then there are the people who have spent 
each night not in the streets but in the churches of Los Angeles, 
praying that man's gentler instincts be revealed in the hearts of people 
driven by hate. And finally, there were the citizens who showed great 
personal responsibility, who ignored the mob, who at great personal 
danger helped the victims of violence, regardless of race.
    Among the many stories I've seen and heard about these past few 
days, one sticks in my mind, the story of one savagely beaten white 
truck driver, alive tonight because four strangers, four black 
strangers, came to his aid. Two were men who had been watching 
television and saw the beating as it was happening, and came out into 
the street to help; another was a woman on her way home from work; and 
the fourth, a young man whose name we may never know. The injured driver 
was able to get behind the wheel of his truck and tried to drive away. 
But his eyes were swollen shut. The woman asked him if he could see. He 
answered, ``No.'' She said, ``Well, then I will be your eyes.'' 
Together, those four people braved the mob and drove that truck driver 
to the hospital. He's alive today only because they stepped in to help.
    It is for every one of them that we must rebuild the community of 
Los Angeles, for these four people and the others like them who in the 
midst of this nightmare acted with simple human decency.
    We must understand that no one in Los

[[Page 687]]

Angeles or any other city has rendered a verdict on America. If we are 
to remain the most vibrant and hopeful Nation on Earth we must allow our 
diversity to bring us together, not drive us apart. This must be the 
rallying cry of good and decent people.
    For their sake, for all our sakes, we must build a future where, in 
every city across this country, empty rage gives way to hope, where 
poverty and despair give way to opportunity. After peace is restored to 
Los Angeles, we must then turn again to the underlying causes of such 
tragic events. We must keep on working to create a climate of 
understanding and tolerance, a climate that refuses to accept racism, 
bigotry, anti-Semitism, and hate of any kind, anytime, anywhere.
    Tonight, I ask all Americans to lend their hearts, their voices, and 
their prayers to the healing of hatred. As President, I took an oath to 
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, an oath that requires 
every President to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility. 
That duty is foremost in my mind tonight.
    Let me say to the people saddened by the spectacle of the past few 
days, to the good people of Los Angeles, caught at the center of this 
senseless suffering: The violence will end. Justice will be served. Hope 
will return.
    Thank you, and may God bless the United States of America.

                    Note: The President spoke at 9:03 p.m. from the Oval 
                        Office at the White House. The address was 
                        broadcast live on nationwide radio and 
                        television. The proclamation and Executive order 
                        on law and order in Los Angeles are listed in 
                        Appendix E at the end of this volume.