ABC News/Washington Post Los Angeles Beating Poll, April 1992

This special topic poll dealt with race relations and the verdict handed down in the Rodney King beating case in Los Angeles. Respondents were asked to describe the state of race relations in the United States, to indicate whether a great deal of prejudice against Blacks was present among whites and vice versa, and to agree or disagree with statements such as "Police in most cities treat Blacks as fairly as they treat whites," and "The only time the federal government really pays attention to Black problems is when Blacks resort to violent demonstrations or riots." Respondents were also asked if Blacks and other minorities received the same treatment as whites in the criminal justice system. Concerning the jury verdict in the Rodney King beating case, respondents were asked if they had heard or read about the verdict, whether they had seen the videotape of the police officers hitting and kicking King, and whether the police officers were guilty of a crime. Those surveyed were also asked if the not-guilty verdict would do major damage to race relations in the United States, if they agreed that the verdict showed that Blacks could not get justice in this country, and if they agreed that the rioting after the King verdict would make whites less sympathetic to the problems of Blacks. In addition, respondents were asked if the United States Justice Department should charge the police officers with the crime of violating Rodney King's civil rights. Background information on respondents includes age, Hispanic origin, race, and sex.