Zoot Suits Riots

Zoot Suit Riots in 1943

       Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots that took place in Los Angeles, California. They were between American sailors ( as well as Marines) and the Latino youths who were recognized by wearing the "zoot" suits. Some African Americans and Filipino Americans were involved but those were the two major groups involved. The ZS Riots were the product of the Sleepy Lagoon murder trial which followed the death of a young Latino boy in a neighborhood near LA. The trial also caused a lot of attacks against Latinos in various other cities around the United States.

      Many American men in the Army or the Marines were questioning the Patriotism of the Mexicans who lived in Los Angeles as well as other parts of the US. Since there weren't very many healthy young Mexican Americans in the US it then prompted many US Soldiers to question their Patriotism. They also disagreed with the fact that they were wearing extravagant clothing (zoot suits) during a time of war. Since there were many poor and young Mexicans in Los Angeles they questioned how they had been able to get those nice suits legally.

      

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zootsuit2.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoot_Suit_Riots