Watts at 60: From Fire to Future... (More to follow from NAACP President, Carolyn Johnson.)

In August 1965, Watts captured the world’s attention. What began as a traffic stop exploded into six days of rebellion, fueled by decades of inequality and systemic neglect. The Watts Riots left deep scars—but also planted seeds of resilience. In the sweltering heat of August 1965, the streets of Watts, a predominantly African American neighborhood in Los Angeles, ignited—not just with fire, but with frustration, injustice, and decades of unmet promises.

Now, 60 years later, we are returning to the site at 116th and Avalon to bring God's greatest Power with a mission and purpose to: Love, Restore, Heal, Create, Innovate, Cultivate, and Activate His Will for His People. This nation needs God and this is a set time and place for all of US(A) to return to this site to get it right and keep it right.

We begin with our registration for the 'March of Dignity and Honor.' Register here on this site and get your ticket of historic attendance, which also serves as a 'Certificate of Registration' conveying your support for this advancement in society and the Kingdom of God. It helps us to fund this event. You can also donate via the following at will further assist us greatly:

Zelle (2133157838) and Cash App $wattsnaacp1083

On Monday, May 28th, Memorial Day at 12noon we will come back to the scene for prayer and remembrance of what happened. We will do focus on three things:

Reflecting the Past
Inspecting the Present
Projecting the Future.

There will be registration on-site to sign up for the August 11th 2025 March of Dignity and Honor.

The moment began with a traffic stop. On August 11, 1965, Marquette Frye, a 21-year-old Black man, was pulled over by California Highway Patrol for suspected drunk driving. The situation escalated when his mother arrived on the scene. Tensions flared, and a crowd gathered. What happened next was a tipping point. Years of police brutality, economic neglect, substandard housing, and educational inequality boiled over. For six days, Watts burned.

The 1965 Watts Rebellion left 34 dead, over a thousand injured, nearly 4,000 arrested, and $40 million in property damage. But these numbers only hint at the trauma—and the transformation—that would follow.

In the aftermath, officials promised reform. Commissions studied the causes. Community voices called for investment, dignity, and respect. But change came slowly. In the 1970s and 80s, systemic disinvestment deepened economic hardship. Gang violence and the crack epidemic painted headlines, while many in Watts kept working—organizing, educating, building.

Then came the 1992 Los Angeles uprising. Though sparked in South Central, the shadow of Watts loomed large, a reminder of how little had changed. Again, calls for justice echoed through the streets.

Yet Watts was not defined by its rebellions alone. From the 2000s onward, a new generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and activists reclaimed its narrative. Murals told stories of survival. Community gardens bloomed in empty lots. Programs like the Watts Labor Community Action Committee and new cultural institutions brought resources back to the neighborhood.

By 2025, Watts stands not as a monument to unrest, but as a model of resilience. On the 60th anniversary of the riots, the community reflects not only on the flames of ’65 but on the fire within—a determination to overcome evil with good. Young leaders are now building futures in tech, arts, and business. Elders pass down stories, not of despair, but of enduring hope.

Watts is still fighting—but it is also flourishing.

Sixty years later, we gather not to relive the past, but to reimagine our future. From murals to mentorship programs, from grassroots activism to global influence, Watts has become a symbol not just of struggle—but of strength.

In 2025, we honor those who stood for justice, those who built bridges, and those who continue the work. The journey from uprising to uplift is far from over—but our path is lit by courage, creativity, and community.

Theme: Overcoming Evil With Good. It is inspired by the biblical passage recorded in Romans 12:21, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

The event is being organized by Carolyn Johnson, President, Watts NAACP 1083:

Contact: Email: jcarolyn903@gmail.com Phone: 213.315.7838

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