A.Z. Smith, a victim of the Los Angeles riots, checks the damage to his barber shop in the Watts area of Los Angeles, Aug. 17, 1965. Business establishments owned by whites were the usual targets of looters and arsonists. Smith was one of the few blacks caught up in the turmoil. (AP Photo)
Carrying armloads of clothes, black youths race from looted stores in the Watts area of Los Angeles Aug. 13, 1965, as lawlessness continues unabated in the riot torn district. (AP Photo)
An unidentified man is led to a police car in the Watts section of Los Angeles August 13, 1965, after his arrest during a second riotous night. Several hundred police officers worked through the night in an attempt to control violence that included shooting, stone-throwing, looting and arson. (AP Photo)
Demonstrators push against a police car after rioting erupted in a crowd of 1,500 in the Los Angeles area of Watts, August 12, 1965. The disturbances were triggered by the arrest of a black person on charges of drunken driving. More than 100 officers were called into the area. (AP Photo)
Two youths, with lampshades from a looted store, run down a street, in the Watts section of Los Angeles August, 13, 1965. The six days of violence left 34 dead and resulted in $40 million of property damage. (AP Photo)
One of many buildings looted and burned in Watts’ riot area is still in flames as firemen have difficulty entering the area. Blazes were common throughout Imperial-Avalon district as firemen had to have police escort to enter area. (AP Photo)
A California highway parolman stands guard over a group of African Americans outside a looted store in the Watts area of Los Angeles Aug. 13, 1965 where rioters ran amok last night for the second successive night. The six days of violence left 34 dead and resulted in $40 million of property damage.(AP Photo)
A National Guard Seargent issues orders to a group of uniformed and helmeted men at staging area near Los Angles, August 13, 1965 before the troops were moved to riot torn Watts to help suppress violence among Black residents there. (AP Photo)
Two automobiles destroyed by fire are pictured in the Watts area of Los Angeles Aug. 13, 1965, where thousands rioted last night for the second straight night. The six days of violence left 34 dead and resulted in $40 million of property damage. (AP Photo/Harold Filan)
Postman Lee Cash makes his rounds Aug. 17, 1965 thru the rubble Watts area of Los Angeles where he’s been delivering the mail all during the six day riot. The six days of violence left 34 dead and resulted in $40 million of property damage. (AP Photo)
Fire started by rioting mobs last night wipes out business block in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, Aug. 14, 1965. (AP Photo)
A gutted hot dog stand in the Watts area of Los Angeles is surrounded by debris Aug. 13, 1965 in the aftermath of last night’s rioting by thousands in the Watts neighborhood.The six days of violence left 34 dead and resulted in $40 million of property damage. (AP Photo)
This week in 1965, decades of repressed anger in the black community exploded in the city of Watts. Riots broke out and lasted for days—shocking the nation. These classic photos capture the mayhem and aftermath of a challenging time in our nation’s history.
