In news reports during
the Watts Riots, reporters were able to describe the events occurring during
the rebellion, and what followed after the riots. These people tried to put an
end to the discrimination they were faced with by other differing ethnic
groups, and by the police themselves, causing fear among all. Laws of
housing limits were dropped, yet in Southern California, it was still being
reinforced. Since the Los Angeles Police Department decided to distance
themselves to gain control once again, these problems within the community were
not exposed. The excessive force used on these citizens continued to go on,
finally igniting the increasing tension of that community. How the media
portrayed the Watts Rebellion made it seem as though it was an outburst caused
by no reason at all but to cause havoc. The people who participated did not
express their anger and resentment in an effective way. They burned down
buildings, stole from businesses, and were arrested and charged for their
participation. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP) executive secretary, Roy Wilkins, expressed that the civil rights cause
did not condone the violent protests and extreme measures taken by the
participants and “looters.” The aftermath of the chaos was compared to that of
a tornado caused by man.
