The Victims of Fires Caused by “Mostly Peaceful Demonstrations”


Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/many-victims-mostly-peaceful-demonstrations-barry-zalma-esq-cfe and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 3800 posts. 


When I was a young man the Watts Riots of the 1960’s destroyed a great part of South-Central Los Angeles. Those whose properties were destroyed who had insurance found it was impossible to rebuild and do business in the area because of the riots and the attitudes of those who destroyed their businesses coupled with the reluctance of the insurance industry to insure any business or structure in Watts. It took more than three decades for the destroyed structures and businesses to begin to be rebuilt.


In addition, what the pundits don’t understand is the fact that there is a large group of victims to the fires and vandalism caused by the “mostly peaceful demonstrators” who burned, vandalized and looted businesses. 


In addition, what the pundits don’t understand is the fact that there is a large group of victims to the fires and vandalism caused by the “mostly peaceful demonstrators” who burned, vandalized and looted businesses. The true victims of the criminal actions are:

The residents of the community whose property was not destroyed, vandalized or looted because insurance will not be available.


The uninsured small business owners.

The community whose tax base has been reduced.

Every person who purchases insurance in the U.S. since their insurance premium must go up to cover the extra losses.

Every city where the “mostly peaceful demonstrations” occurred because they will not be able to reinstate the destroyed businesses.

Every person whose business was destroyed or damaged by the fires and vandalism and theft.


Every insurance company who insured against the risks of loss of the properties destroyed, damaged or the victims of theft by the thieves who were called “mostly peaceful demonstrators.”


These are not victimless crimes. They destroy the communities, make them uninsurable and make it impossible for the communities to recover. I hope the cities damaged by the “mostly peaceful demonstrations” avoid what kept Watts from being rebuilt. I’m afraid that the if history is repeated the areas destroyed by the “mostly peaceful demonstrations” will not recover for decades.