American Experience

Zoot Suit Riots

In June 1943, Los Angeles erupted into the worst race riots in the city to date. For ten straight nights, American sailors armed with make-shift weapons cruised Mexican American neighborhoods in search of "zoot-suiters" — hip, young Mexican teens dressed in baggy pants and long-tailed coats. The military men dragged kids — some as young as twelve years old —  and viciously beat them.

Zoot Suit Riots

51m 32s

In June 1943, Los Angeles erupted into the worst race riots in the city to date. For ten straight nights, American sailors armed with make-shift weapons cruised Mexican American neighborhoods in search of "zoot-suiters" — hip, young Mexican teens dressed in baggy pants and long-tailed coats. The military men dragged kids — some as young as twelve years old —  and viciously beat them.

Previews + Extras

  • Zoot Suit Riots Teaser: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Zoot Suit Riots Teaser

    S14 E6 - 30s

    In August 1942, the murder of a young Mexican-American man ignited a firestorm in the City of the Angels. In no time at all, ethnic and racial tensions that had been building up over the years boiled over.

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