In the spring of 1991, it was the quick thinking of George Holliday and his significant other that helped put the issue of police brutality on the front burner of American politics, a position it had not occupied since the 1960s. Having heard the commotion across the street from his residence, Holliday stepped onto his balcony and at the behest of his partner grabbed the video recorder she had bought him for Christmas and began filming four police officers with the LAPD, brutally beating then 25 year old Rodney King to a pulp, while members of the California Highway Patrol stood by and watched.