Mexican AmericansMexican AmericansA Brief History of Los AngelesA Brief History of Los Angeles

PachucosPachucos

PachucosPachucos Pachucos were Mexican American Pachucos were Mexican American

youths who developed their own youths who developed their own subculture during the 1930s and subculture during the 1930s and 1940s in the Southwestern United 1940s in the Southwestern United States. States.

They wore distinctive clothes (such They wore distinctive clothes (such as Zoot Suits) and spoke their own as Zoot Suits) and spoke their own dialect. dialect.

PachucosPachucos Due to their double-marginalization stemming Due to their double-marginalization stemming

from their youth and ethnicity, there has from their youth and ethnicity, there has always been a close association and cultural always been a close association and cultural cross-pollination between the Pachuco cross-pollination between the Pachuco subculture and the gang subculture. subculture and the gang subculture.

For this reason, many members of the For this reason, many members of the dominant (Anglo) culture assumed that anyone dominant (Anglo) culture assumed that anyone dressed in Pachuco style was a gang member.dressed in Pachuco style was a gang member.

The BeginningThe Beginning The Pachuco style originated in El Paso, Texas The Pachuco style originated in El Paso, Texas

and moved westward, following the line of and moved westward, following the line of migration of Mexican railroad workers migration of Mexican railroad workers ("traqueros") into Los Angeles, where it ("traqueros") into Los Angeles, where it developed further.developed further.

Zoot SuitZoot Suit A zoot suit has high-waisted, wide-A zoot suit has high-waisted, wide-

legged, tight-cuffed pegged trousers legged, tight-cuffed pegged trousers (called tramas) and a long coat (called tramas) and a long coat (called the carlango) with wide (called the carlango) with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders. lapels and wide padded shoulders.

Often zoot suiters wear a felt hat Often zoot suiters wear a felt hat with a long feather (called a tapa or with a long feather (called a tapa or tanda) and pointy, French-style tanda) and pointy, French-style shoes (called calcos).shoes (called calcos).

Zoot SuitsZoot Suits Zoot suits were for special occasions Zoot suits were for special occasions

– such as a dance or a birthday – such as a dance or a birthday party. party.

The amount of material and tailoring The amount of material and tailoring required made them luxury items. required made them luxury items.

Many young people wore a more Many young people wore a more moderate version of the "draped" moderate version of the "draped" pants or styled their hair in the pants or styled their hair in the signature "ducktail."signature "ducktail."

Zoot SuitsZoot Suits The oversized suit was both The oversized suit was both

an extravagant personal an extravagant personal style and a declaration of style and a declaration of rebellious self-assertion. rebellious self-assertion.

By their dress, Zoot suiters By their dress, Zoot suiters expressed defiance, at a time expressed defiance, at a time when fabric was rationed when fabric was rationed due to the war effort, and in due to the war effort, and in the face of widespread racial the face of widespread racial prejudice.prejudice.

DancingDancing

Sleepy LagoonSleepy Lagoon

The Sleepy Lagoon Murder case began on The Sleepy Lagoon Murder case began on August 2, 1942, when the body of Jose Diaz August 2, 1942, when the body of Jose Diaz was found at a reservoir in southeast Los was found at a reservoir in southeast Los Angeles. Angeles.

Press hysteria and bigotry fueled the arrest of Press hysteria and bigotry fueled the arrest of 300 Mexican American youths and guided a 300 Mexican American youths and guided a corrupt trial in which the judge and prosecutors corrupt trial in which the judge and prosecutors displayed routine disregard for fundamental displayed routine disregard for fundamental civil rights. civil rights.

Despite a complete lack of evidence, including Despite a complete lack of evidence, including no proof that Diaz had in fact been murdered, no proof that Diaz had in fact been murdered, twelve defendants were convicted of murder twelve defendants were convicted of murder and five were convicted of assault. and five were convicted of assault.

The DefendantsThe Defendants

The DefendantsThe Defendants

Henry LeyvasHenry Leyvas Henry Leyvas, age 20, worked Henry Leyvas, age 20, worked

on his father's ranch. on his father's ranch. He was the inspiration for the He was the inspiration for the

character Henry Reyna in the character Henry Reyna in the Valdez play Zoot Suit.Valdez play Zoot Suit.

Not long after his release from Not long after his release from prison, Henry Leyvas was prison, Henry Leyvas was convicted of a criminal offense convicted of a criminal offense after receiving a fair trial.after receiving a fair trial.

Chepe RuizChepe Ruiz Chepe Ruiz, 18, was a Chepe Ruiz, 18, was a

fine athlete and wanted fine athlete and wanted to play big league to play big league baseball. baseball.

While in San Quentin, he While in San Quentin, he won the admiration of won the admiration of the warden, guards, and the warden, guards, and prisoners when he prisoners when he continued in a boxing continued in a boxing match after having match after having several ribs broken. several ribs broken.

Robert TellesRobert Telles Robert Telles, 18, was working at a defense Robert Telles, 18, was working at a defense

plant at the time of his arrest. plant at the time of his arrest.

Manuel ReyesManuel Reyes Manuel Reyes, 17, had joined the navy and Manuel Reyes, 17, had joined the navy and

was awaiting induction at the time of his was awaiting induction at the time of his arrest. arrest.

Angel PadillaAngel Padilla Angel Padilla, one of the Angel Padilla, one of the

defendants most severely defendants most severely beaten during his interrogation beaten during his interrogation by police, was a furniture by police, was a furniture worker.worker.

Henry YnostrosaHenry Ynostrosa Henry Ynostrosa, 18, had supported his Henry Ynostrosa, 18, had supported his

mother and two sisters since age 15.mother and two sisters since age 15.

Manuel DelgadoManuel Delgado Manuel Delgado, 19, a Manuel Delgado, 19, a

woodworker, was married with woodworker, was married with two children, one of whom was two children, one of whom was born on the day he entered San born on the day he entered San Quentin. Quentin.

Gus ZamoraGus Zamora Gus Zamora, 21, was a furniture worker.Gus Zamora, 21, was a furniture worker.

Victor ThompsonVictor Thompson Victor Thompson 21, was an Anglo long Victor Thompson 21, was an Anglo long

associated with Mexican Americans in his associated with Mexican Americans in his neighborhood. neighborhood.

Jack MelendezJack Melendez Jack Melendez, 21, had been Jack Melendez, 21, had been

sworn into the navy before his sworn into the navy before his arrest. Ultimately, the U.S Navy arrest. Ultimately, the U.S Navy granted him an Honorable granted him an Honorable Discharge. Discharge.

John MatuzJohn Matuz John Matuz, 20, went to work in Alaska with John Matuz, 20, went to work in Alaska with

the U.S. Corps of Engineers. the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

" " Ysmael Smiles " " Ysmael SmilesParraParra

At the time of his arrest he lived At the time of his arrest he lived several blocks away from the 38th several blocks away from the 38th Street neighborhood, on 71st Street neighborhood, on 71st Street, with his wife Delia, 21, Street, with his wife Delia, 21, and their two-year-old baby Rita.and their two-year-old baby Rita.

At the time of his arrest he was At the time of his arrest he was earning 72 cents an hour working earning 72 cents an hour working at Gillespie Furniture Company at Gillespie Furniture Company

Sleepy Lagoon Defense CommitteeSleepy Lagoon Defense Committee

After the trial, the Sleepy Lagoon Defense After the trial, the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee was formed to publicize the case Committee was formed to publicize the case and raise money for a legal appeal. and raise money for a legal appeal.

The Committee's goals were to publicize the The Committee's goals were to publicize the case and to fund a legal appeal for the boys in case and to fund a legal appeal for the boys in prison.prison.

The Committee quickly grew as people from The Committee quickly grew as people from the film industry, educational fields, Congress, the film industry, educational fields, Congress, and labor unions joined its ranks.and labor unions joined its ranks.

In addition, the S.L.D.C. had significant In addition, the S.L.D.C. had significant support from African Americans, Jews, and support from African Americans, Jews, and Communists as well as the various presses that Communists as well as the various presses that spoke to these communities. spoke to these communities.

““Star Power”Star Power” Numerous fundraisers were Numerous fundraisers were

hosted and attended by hosted and attended by celebrities including: celebrities including:

Orson WellesOrson Welles Rita Hayworth (born Margarita Rita Hayworth (born Margarita

Carmen Cansino)Carmen Cansino) Nat King ColeNat King Cole Anthony Quinn (born Antonio Anthony Quinn (born Antonio

Rudolfo Oaxaca Quinn)Rudolfo Oaxaca Quinn)

Alice McGrathAlice McGrath McGrath was the executive McGrath was the executive

secretary of the Sleepy Lagoon secretary of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee. Defense Committee.

After attending the trials, she After attending the trials, she said, “I was appalled by the said, “I was appalled by the attitude of the judge and jury. It attitude of the judge and jury. It was clear that they just was clear that they just despised the defendants.” despised the defendants.”

She functioned on a more personal level with the She functioned on a more personal level with the boys. boys.

She visited "her boys" every six weeks at San She visited "her boys" every six weeks at San Quentin. Quentin.

She would tell them about the Committee's progress, She would tell them about the Committee's progress, distribute its news bulletin, and tried to boost their distribute its news bulletin, and tried to boost their morale. morale.

While she remembers a range of responses to her While she remembers a range of responses to her visits, from suspicion to appreciation, she quickly visits, from suspicion to appreciation, she quickly realized that she had become the lifeline between realized that she had become the lifeline between them and all efforts on the outside to have them them and all efforts on the outside to have them released. released.

With many of them, she forged lasting friendships.With many of them, she forged lasting friendships.

AftermathAftermath In 1944, thanks to the Sleepy Lagoon Defense In 1944, thanks to the Sleepy Lagoon Defense

Committee, the case went to appeal. Committee, the case went to appeal. The court unanimously overturned the The court unanimously overturned the

convictions and freed the defendants. convictions and freed the defendants.

Louie Encinas was eventually, decades later, Louie Encinas was eventually, decades later, identified by his sister as the true killer; identified by his sister as the true killer; stabbing him moments before the defendants stabbing him moments before the defendants arrived. arrived.

He later committed suicide. He later committed suicide. Officially the murder remains unsolved.Officially the murder remains unsolved.

Zoot Suit RiotsZoot Suit Riots

Zoot Suit RiotsZoot Suit Riots The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots that The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots that

erupted in Los Angeles, California during erupted in Los Angeles, California during World War II, between sailors and soldiers World War II, between sailors and soldiers stationed in the city and Mexican American stationed in the city and Mexican American youths, recognized because of the zoot suits youths, recognized because of the zoot suits they favored.they favored.

On June 3, 1943, a group of servicemen on leave On June 3, 1943, a group of servicemen on leave complained that they had been assaulted by a complained that they had been assaulted by a gang of pachucos. gang of pachucos.

Then on June 4, 1943, 200 uniformed sailors Then on June 4, 1943, 200 uniformed sailors chartered 20 cabs and went into the Mexican chartered 20 cabs and went into the Mexican American barrios in East Los Angeles. American barrios in East Los Angeles.

Their targets were Zoot Suiters. Their targets were Zoot Suiters. They jumped out of their cabs when they saw They jumped out of their cabs when they saw

them and beat them up. them and beat them up. The newspapers called the sailors heroesThe newspapers called the sailors heroes

On June 5, 1943, U.S. servicemen walked On June 5, 1943, U.S. servicemen walked down the streets of the barrios giving down the streets of the barrios giving warnings. warnings.

They said not to wear a zoot suit or they would They said not to wear a zoot suit or they would take it off . take it off .

The sailors went into bars and beat up The sailors went into bars and beat up Mexican Americans. Mexican Americans.

The police did not stop the servicemen. The police did not stop the servicemen. If a Mexican American tried to defend himself, If a Mexican American tried to defend himself,

he was arrested.he was arrested.

June 7, 1943 was the worst night of the riots.June 7, 1943 was the worst night of the riots. Thousands of servicemen went searching for Thousands of servicemen went searching for

Pachucos. Pachucos. Zoot Suiters were left bleeding in the street Zoot Suiters were left bleeding in the street

after their suits had been torn off. after their suits had been torn off. The mob went into theaters and took Mexican The mob went into theaters and took Mexican

Americans out of their seats and beat them.Americans out of their seats and beat them. Mexican American women were raped.Mexican American women were raped. Servicemen stopped the street cars and pulled Servicemen stopped the street cars and pulled

Mexican Americans off the cars to beat them Mexican Americans off the cars to beat them upup

On June 7, 1943 the Navy declared Los On June 7, 1943 the Navy declared Los Angeles off limits to all sailors. Angeles off limits to all sailors.

The riots were over. The riots were over. The Mexican American community had been The Mexican American community had been

terrorized and the police had stood by and terrorized and the police had stood by and done nothing to protect them. done nothing to protect them.

In all of the rioting only Mexican Americans In all of the rioting only Mexican Americans had been arrested and that was usually after had been arrested and that was usually after they had been beaten.they had been beaten.

"Police, rather than stopping or arresting the "Police, rather than stopping or arresting the soldiers, took the Mexican American youths soldiers, took the Mexican American youths into custody.“ into custody.“

The police refused to stop the riots. The police refused to stop the riots. The military stopped it but they could have The military stopped it but they could have

done it much earlier than they did.done it much earlier than they did.

After the riots were over the official version of After the riots were over the official version of the riots by the city of Los Angeles and the the riots by the city of Los Angeles and the county of Los Angeles was that the U.S. county of Los Angeles was that the U.S. servicemen acted in self defense. servicemen acted in self defense.

There was no racism involved according to the There was no racism involved according to the city and the county city and the county

Images of the RiotsImages of the Riots

Just for Fun… .Just for Fun… .