Dear Common Dreams Readers:
Common Dreams is a small non-profit that exists only because of the support of our readers. No advertising; no paywalls: our content is free. But our costs are real. A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy. Independent journalism and democracy itself have never been more fragile, more at risk than now. Without your support, we will not exist. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future? Every donation makes a difference.
$21,659 To Go by July 1st 
$50k
Rodney King, whose brutal beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 was caught on tape, was found dead today. He was 47.
The four police officers involved in King's beating were acquitted of all charges, and the resulting backlash sparked riots that killed over 50 and injured 2,000.
* * *
