“I’m very satisfied that we’ve seen some...

“I’m very satisfied that we’ve seen some justice done in the court system and that there will be a welling up of renewed confidence in the system. I now hope that real attention will be turned to the systemic issues that we face--the rebuilding of L.A. and other urban areas across the country.”

--Harvey Fields, senior rabbi of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple and president of the Southern California Board of Rabbis, during an interview Saturday morning

*

“I like it when police are out there like that. I feel safer.”

--Security guard Ernesto Henriquez, clutching a .357 magnum while protecting a Pico-Union neighborhood market

*

“Now we have a chance (for) the United States (to) finally live up to its creed.”

--Mollie Bell of Compton, after waiting at the courthouse for the verdicts

*

“We’re the Maytag repairman today. We’re waiting for action that just isn’t happening, thank God.”

--Bob Higgins, community services officer for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, describing his workload Saturday

*

“I think it’s a fair verdict and it’s right those who beat King should be punished.”

--Alexander T. Kahng, a Koreatown business owner who was shot and lost $50,000 in merchandise and fixtures when his store was looted during last year’s riots, upon learning of the jury’s conclusions

“It will not change anything. They are still the law and can bend the rules whenever they want. We are still the nobodies.”

--Eric Williams, a young black man commenting on the verdicts as he waited for a haircut in a barber shop in Van Nuys

*

“On behalf of all the citizens of Los Angeles, ‘Whew!’ ”

--Brian McGinty, a UCLA student from West Los Angeles, commenting while working at the Wherehouse in Westwood Village