On August 1, 1942, a 22-year-old Mexican American man was stabbed to death at a party. To white Los Angelenos, the murder was just more proof that Mexican American crime was spiraling out of control. The police fanned out across LA, netting 600 young Mexican American suspects. Almost all those taken into custody were wearing the distinctive uniform of their generation: zoot suits. The tragic murder and the injustice of the trial that followed, coupled with sensational news coverage of both, fanned the flames of the racial hostility that was already running rife in the city. Within months of the verdict, Los Angeles was in the grip of some of the worst violence in its history. Guest speakers, Professors, Dr. Denise Sandoval and George B. Sanchez, California State University, Northridge. 

Zoot Suit Riot is a film from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE series.

DOCS @ LA PLAZA

Challenge for Change: Labor, Environment & Social Change

Challenge for Change, LA Plaza’s documentary film series, explores stories of labor, environment, and social change touching upon themes from identity, gender, food, immigration, art, and politics. Join us for each installment, which includes a discussion with the filmmaker and other guest speakers connected to the film or topic. In addition, join a free tour at 6pm; each tour provided is themed around each film screening. All films are free and presented on Thursday nights unless otherwise noted.