La Mesa Marks 5 Years Since Riots Sparking Community Recovery

Five years after the May 30, 2020 protests in La Mesa escalated from peaceful demonstrations against police brutality into violent riots, the community continues to reflect on both the destruction and the resilient recovery that followed. The protests erupted after the viral arrest of Amaurie Johnson and amid national outrage over George Floyd's killing, leading to widespread looting, arson—including the burning of two banks—and significant damage to local businesses such as Play It Again Sports. Police responded with tear gas and bean bag rounds, injuring many, including Leslie Furcron, who lost vision in one eye and later received a $10 million settlement from the city. Despite the devastation, hundreds of community members quickly mobilized to aid in cleanup efforts, fostering a spirit of unity captured by the rallying cry "La Mesa Strong." Business owners like Pierre Farhat and Justin Wesley recall both the trauma of that night and the overwhelming community support that helped their recovery. Today, the physical scars have largely healed, but the events remain a defining moment in La Mesa's ongoing dialogue about policing and social justice reforms.