Zoot Suit Riots

Paige Ortiz

Per.2

Riots in L.A.

The Zoot suit riots took place in Los Angeles, California during the 1940’s.in was hard for the Mexican Americans to be themselves because of the oddness and suspicion revolved around them. People would accuse them for being criminals because of their race and because they dressed a certain way. They were know as the “Zoots Suits”. they wore a suit that had long broad shouldered coats with extra baggy pants that ft tight at the ankles. They wore a long chain pocket watch and a broad brimmed hat with a feather in it. This was the standard pachuco outfit for teenage boys. Many people thought about it as gang related.

On August 1, 1942, Henry Leyvas and some of his friends were involved in a fight with another group of pachucos at Williams Ranch by a lagoon which is now called Sleepy Lagoon. A young