Los Angeles, California, experienced a series of riots and civil disturbances during April and May of 1992. Civil unrest began in South Central Los Angeles on April 29, after a jury acquitted four officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) charged with using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King. The incident had been videotaped by George Holiday, who was a bystander to the incident, and was heavily reported on by various news and media outlets.