In June 1943, a wave of terrible violence rippled across Los Angeles. For a full week, white servicemen hunted and beat down young men wearing popular oversized clothing known as “zoot suits.” During the so-called Zoot Suit Riots, Los Angeles police did little to intervene, and only arrested those who fought back against their attackers.
The riots were sparked, in part, by the suits themselves. Zoot suits were a popular fashion among young men of color at the time, but some white servicemen saw them as a waste of fabric during the war. To them, the loose-fitting zoot suits were practically treasonous.
But the Zoot Suit Riots were about more than just fashion. The violence was also fueled by increasing tensions between the white community and the Mexican-American community in Los Angeles during a time when both groups competed for jobs and housing in the rapidly growing city.
Mexican American Man In Zoot Suit
A young Mexican-American man wearing a zoot suit. 1942.
Zoot Suit Riots Pictures
A group of Hispanic teenagers, members of the “zoot suit” culture. Los Angeles. 1943.
The Zoot Suit Riots Of 1943
Sailors in the armed forces patrol the streets with clubs, ready to fight anyone they see in a zoot suit. Los Angeles. 1943.
Zoot Suit Riot Beating
A brawl breaks out. A man in a fedora and a US serviceman beat each other with bats. Los Angeles. 1943.
Mobbing A Streetcar During The Zoot Suit Riots
A crowd of white servicemen mob a streetcar looking for young men wearing zoot suits. June 1943.
Man In Zoot Suit With Police
A man in a zoot suit is inspected by a Los Angeles Police Department officer. June 1943.
Zoot Suit Riot Suspect
A “suspect” arrested during the Zoot Suit Riots.
Zoot Suit Riots Beatings
Two men, after being stripped of their zoot suits and beaten by US servicemen, lay bleeding on the sidewalk. Los Angeles. June 1943.
Vincent Duarte
A teenaged boy, Vincent Duarte, lies in a hospital bed after being brutally beaten for going out in a zoot suit. Los Angeles. 1943.
Donald Jackson Slashed Sailor
A sailor named Donald Jackson gets medical help after a vicious brawl on the streets. His abdomen was slashed in the fighting. Los Angeles. 1943.
Policemen Question Zoot Suiters
Los Angeles policemen question men in zoot suits, asking for their draft credentials to see where they stand in the battle with US servicemen. Los Angeles. June 1943.
Military Police During Riot
US Servicemen on patrol, looking for “pachucos” to beat up. Los Angeles. June 1943.
Victims With Torn Clothing
Victims with torn clothing.
Riots In LA 1943
Two men, stripped of their clothes, lie beaten on the ground. They have been attacked by US Army men for going out in zoot suits. Los Angeles. June 1943.
Bettie Morgan Slashed By Pachuco Girls
Bettie Morgan after being mugged and cut up by a group of young Mexicans associated with the zoot suit gangs. Los Angeles. 1943.
Zoot Suit Riots Arrest
Police officers carry away a young man in a zoot suit. Los Angeles. June 1943.
Photos From The LA Zoot Suit Riots Of 1943
Two young zoot suiters, handcuffed together, are dragged off to prison. Los Angeles. June 1943.
Zoot Suit Arrest
A zoot suiter, his head bandaged and his suit gone, is carried off by the police. Los Angeles. 1943.
Robert Egan Marine Fractured Skull
A wounded marine, Robert Egan, shows off the fractured skull he suffered during the fighting. Los Angeles. 1943.
Bus To Courthouse
A line of men wait for the bus that will take them to the courthouse, where they await charges for rioting. Los Angeles. 1943.
Weapons Confiscated Gang Wars
Police officers hold up weapons confiscated from men in zoot suits. Los Angeles. 1942.
Zoot Suit Riots Leaders In Court
A group of men, accused of leading other boys into a riot, sit in the courtroom. Los Angeles. 1943.
38th Street Line Up
Zoot suit wearers accused of being in a gang stand in a lineup. Los Angeles. 1943.
38th Street Girls
A group of girls, accused of gang violence, stand in a lineup. Los Angeles. 1943.
Zoot Suiters Detained
A crowd of zoot suiters behind bars. Los Angeles. 1943.
Defendants Swearing In
An entire courtroom full of defendants are sworn in following the riots. Los Angeles. 1943.
Zoot Suiters In Jail
A group of zoot suiters wait in their jail cell. Los Angeles. 1943.
Fashion, War, And Racial Tensions: How The Zoot Suit Riots Began
Zoot suits first emerged out of Harlem dance halls in the 1930s. Then, Smithsonian Magazine reports that dancers wore free-flowing clothing, tapered at the ankles, which captured their movements. Zoot suits, defined by their large shoulder pads, wide lapels, and high-waisted, baggy pants, soon spread across the rest of the country…