82 Years Ago - Zoot Suit Riot

Emily Morales, Psy.D., LMFT, Diversity Chair • June 11, 2025

Hello SGVPA Folx,


June 3-8th, 1943 marks the 82nd year anniversary of the Zoot Suit Riots. Very reminiscent to the anti-immigrant rhetoric and racial tension in Los Angeles today.


With the current political climate, ICE raids, National Guard being deployed, Marine's being deployed, and people being unlawfully detained I felt that it was urgent to point to a historical parallel. The police, servicemen, and anti-immigrant xenophobic propaganda boiled over and targeted Mexican American, African American, and Filipino American zoot suiters. There were non-zoot suiters that were targeted during these racial riots. To learn more check out the Huntington Archives on the zoot suit riots. The Huntington Archives. Check out an original Zoot Suit at the LACMA.

Resources for Undocumented Folks

With the protests, ICE detainments, and xenophobic rhetoric people need to be aware of their rights and what to do if the worst case scenario were to happen.

Undocumented People Resources:

Immigrants Rising: https://immigrantsrising.org/

CHIRLA: https://www.chirla.org/

CARECEN: https://www.carecen-la.org/

Immigrants are Los Angeles: https://www.immigrantsarela.com/knowyourrights

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