Citrus Strike of 1936

The Citrus Strike of 1936 was the largest strike to affect the Citrus industry in southern California among citrus workers for better working conditions that took place within the Citrus belt covering more than 280,000 acres covering various cities within Orange County, such as Fullerton and Anaheim from June 10 to July 25. Multiple factors led the citrus workers to strike including low paid wages, harsh working conditions, inadequate living conditions, and overall social dynamics. The strike itself was significant for ending the myth of "contented Mexican labor." It was one of the most violently suppressed strikes of the early twentieth century in the United States. The sheriff who suppressed the largely Mexican 3,000 citrus pickers was himself a citrus rancher who issued a "shoot to kill" order on the strikers. The aftermath of the strike effort led to 400 citrus workers being arrested in total, while others were forced to either face jail time or possible deportation back to Mexico. It has also been referred to as the Citrus War and the Citrus Riots.