KING CASE AFTERMATH: READERS RESPOND : Students Dismayed

We, the students of Channel Islands High School in Oxnard feel that the not-guilty verdict in the Rodney King beating trial has displayed how our criminal justice system has become poisonously destroyed. We feel very strongly that the beating was indeed a crime, despite the trial’s result that informs us it was acceptable for four LAPD officers to beat a defenseless black man. We ask that the four LAPD officers be fired from the Police Department and urge the new police chief, Willie Williams, to take as many steps as possible to prevent this crime from occurring again.

Despite many current stereotypes, our generation is not as apathetic as the public thinks. We will not stand for such blatant infractions of this country’s civil laws. In allowing this to happen once, we fear it will soon be repeated. As American citizens, we cannot and will not allow this to happen.

ZARA BRUMANA

Oxnard

Editor’s note: This letter was signed by 758 students.