The murder of Latasha Harlins occurred just six days after the beating of Rodney King. And while Soon Ja Du’s Empire Liquors store would become the constant target of protests, the building would be torched and destroyed during the riots that went down after the officers that beat Rodney King were acquitted in April 1992. The store never re-opened. While the entire country would have an opinion as to what happened to Rodney, anyone of the requisite age in South Central California would surely tell you that it was the unpunished murder of young Miss Harlins that was the true defining moment that led to an angry rebellion. The verdict in Simi Valley was just the lighter fluid added to an already smoldering fire. Latasha Harlins would be 42 today…
SOURCES:
https://www.theroot.com/a-fallen-black-girl-remembering-latasha-harlins-1790898980
https://www.good.is/articles/latasha-harlins-rodney-king-anniversary
https://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2017/04/los_angeles_riot_25_years.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/24/news/judge-who-gave-probation-in-a-slaying-may-be-moved.html