April 1994

A federal jury awarded Rodney King $3.8 million in compensatory damages in his civil lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles. The jury rejected punitive damages against the individual officers. The award was lower than the $9.4 million King's attorneys sought but represented the city's acknowledgment of liability. King had also asked 'Can we all get along?' during the 1992 uprising, a phrase that became iconic.

Ernest Sayon, 22, died after being restrained by Staten Island police officers during an arrest on April 29, 1994. Officers held Sayon face-down while he struggled; he lost consciousness and was pronounced dead. A grand jury declined to indict the officers. Community members noted the case occurred exactly two years after the Los Angeles uprising began, and protests followed the no-indictment decision.

Ernest Sayon, 22, died after Staten Island officers restrained him face-down during an arrest on April 29, 1994. He lost consciousness and was pronounced dead. A grand jury declined to indict. The date coincided exactly with the second anniversary of the LA Uprising, and protests followed.