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Similarities Between Rodney King And To Kill A Mockingbird

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He was pulled out of his car and beaten by four officers. He was hit over 50 times with a baton, suffering 11 fractures and other injuries. Rodney King’s beating on March 3rd, 1991, would be the event to change not just the LAPD, or the whole of Los Angeles. It would change the country. (“The Beating that Changed America: What Happened To Rodney King 25 Years Ago.”) Rodney King, intoxicated after dark, was seen speeding down the highway by officers Stacey Koon, Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, and Theodore Briseno. King was on parole at this time for a previous robbery conviction. They try to pull him over, but King keeps driving, leading them into a high speed chase for several minutes. The officers finally force him to pull over, and they pull King out of his car onto the ground only to …show more content…

This would finally bring justice amongst Los Angeles. Rodney King would receive a $3.8 million verdict from the city. However, he would continue to have trouble with LAPD for years to come. (“The LAPD Officers’ Trials: A Chronology”) The connection with the beating and To KIll A Mockingbird is the jury. In To Kill A Mockingbird, though there was evidence proving Tom was innocent, he was still found guilty. There was evidence provided for the first trial showing the officers used excessive force against King, but they were not found guilty until of course riots were caused. Why was Tom found guilty? The judges were afraid the whites would riot against the court. Both the jury and the judges were peer pressured by the people. To Kill a Mockingbird and the beating, trial, and riots of Rodney King show that racism has always existed, and it’s the people that control the court. Evidence can be provided to prove the innocent and guilty, however the people can decide and fight for who “deserves justice.” We the people in which we can stand up and bring

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