50 years to the day since the beginning of the riots we can see little has changed in the relationship between black communities in America and the police force.The Watts riots began on the 11th August 1965 following an argument over the arrest of a black drunk driver.
Following failed negotiation with black community leaders a state of emergency was announced and the Californian national guard called brought in attempting to control the public.
The scenes on the streets of Ferguson following protesters clashing with police on the anniversary of the shooting of Micheal Brown hauntingly imitate the events of Watt in the 1960's. There was a "state of emergency" announced after police shot a protester in the early hours of Monday morning.
National Guard officers sleep on the streets outside a convenience store in Watt's, Los Angeles following an all-night riot. In 2015 we see young people ducking for cover from gun-fire outside a convenience store in Ferguson. ( Image credits: Corbis and Reuters)
National Guardsmen take refuge from sniper fire behind their vehicles in Watts Aug 15 1966, after rioters left the streets and took to the rooftops with weapons. Moments later guardsmen said they had shot and killed the sniper with return fire. In 2015 officers duck behind cars in the streets of Ferguson.
A group of Black men are confronted by state troopers with bayonets at a street corner in the Watts neighborhood, Los Angeles, California, circa 1960s. In 2015 clashes between forces and the people have Ferguson have reached melting point.
Armed police patrolling the streets of Los Angeles during the Watts race riots, 11th-15th August 1965. St Louis County officer points a gun at black youths amid the second day of Ferguson protests on 10th August 2015.
Police take a mug shot of a protester who was detained in Ferguson, Missouri, August 10, 2015.
Policemen force a rioter into a police car 12th August 1965. Armed Police officers take a mugshot of a young black women at the side of police car during the Ferguson protests. There have been a number of arrests in the past few days.
Officers with riot shields lined up on West Florissant Ave. In Ferguson Mo
Police officers receive instructions and weapons before leaving for posts in the Watts area during the rioting. In 2015 riot police line up preparing the meet protesters following the anniversary of the shooting and death of unarmed black teenager Micheal Brown.
(Corbis, Getty, Reuters)
