The Pittsburgh Press (June 8, 1943)
‘Zoot-suiters’ again feel troops’ wrath
Los Angeles, California (UP) –
Servicemen seeking revenge for assaults by “zoot-suiters” surged through Los Angeles streets early today stripping off the youths’ fancy raiment and sending several to hospitals.
More than 500 soldiers, sailors and Marines marched through the downtown area, charging into theaters, cafés, bars and nightclubs and collaring the wearers of the glad plaid.
Police riot squads were busy all night. Shore patrols and military police patrolled the area trying to remove servicemen, but the truckloads they took out had little effect on the size of the mobs.
Servicemen have been beaten, stabbed and robbed and girls they were escorting have been attacked by the youthful gangsters. Police roundups have had little effect in curbing the hoodlums, although more than 100 were arrested over the weekend.
Most of the zoot-suiters are exempt from the draft because of their criminal backgrounds.