The Watts riots, sometimes referred to as the Watts Rebellion or Watts Uprising, took place in the Watts neighborhood and its surrounding areas of Los Angeles from August 11 to 16, 1965. The riots were motivated by anger at the racist and abusive practices of the Los Angeles Police Department, as well as grievances over employment discrimination, residential segregation, and poverty in L.A.
Two buildings on fire on Avalon Boulevard
Police arrest a man during the riots on August 12
Soldiers of California's 40th Armored Division direct traffic away from an area of South Central Los Angeles burning during the Watts riot
Watts is a neighborhood in southern Los Angeles, California. It is located within the South Los Angeles region, bordering the cities of Lynwood, Huntington Park and South Gate to the east and southeast, respectively, and the unincorporated community of Willowbrook to the south.
"Welcome to Watts" sign on Central Avenue
The Watts Towers, created by Simon Rodia
Watts in 1912.
Councilman F. P. Buyer (far left) and Mayor Frank Shaw (second from right) at a groundbreaking ceremony at Watts City Hall, 1936.