In the wake of the Sacking of Coruscant which occurred in 3653 BBY, unrest erupted across Coruscant, the Galactic Republic's capital planet. This turmoil, triggered by food shortages, the absence of police, and the desperation of refugees seeking resources, tore through Galactic City, compounding the devastation inflicted by Imperial troops. Although the Republic Military eventually suppressed the disturbances, the riots led to several significant outcomes: refugees and the Migrant Merchants' Guild took over the Old Galactic Market, Black Sun was established and claimed its own territory, the Justicars' Brigade, a group of vigilantes, ultimately formed, and the Coruscant Security Force withdrew from Coruscant's lower levels.
The Sith Empire inflicted severe damage to the Republic's defenses during the Sacking of Coruscant. Republic soldiers along with remaining Coruscant Security Force police officers retreated to the lower levels of the city to safeguard refugees. After the Imperial forces departed from the plundered and ruined planet, the Republic endeavored to regain control.
The populace, driven by hunger and anger resulting from the scarcity of food, resorted to rioting. Displaced refugees from the lower levels flooded the Old Galactic Market in search of refuge. As the already weakened police force proved incapable of managing the situation, Republic military units were summoned. When they attempted to force the refugees out of the Galactic Market, riots erupted. Subsequently, the Migrant Merchants' Guild, a money laundering ring, asserted its authority over the Galactic Market, with its enforcers demanding protection money from the refugees. The Galactic Senate directed the Coruscant Security Force to retreat from the lower levels to safeguard the Senate Building and other critical infrastructure from the escalating riots. Exploiting this opportunity, a criminal organization that would later become known as Black Sun began seizing control of the lower districts.
The intervention of the Republic Military brought an end to the riots, and CSF police units re-established control in certain areas, including portions of the Galactic Market. Subsequent efforts were undertaken to regain control. However, other sectors remained plagued by ongoing gang violence, rioting, and vigilante activity for years to come.