Zoot Suit Riots

In June 1943, Los Angeles erupted into the worst race riots in the city to date. More

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.

AIR DATE 2/10/02