Westminster Civil Rights Statue Fundraiser Announced

WESTMINSTER, CA — On Friday, the City of Westminster launched a fundraising campaign to build a statue in commemoration of a court case that ended school segregation in California.

While Orange County is not often thought of as the "seat" of the civil rights movement, the 1946 court case Mendez v. Westminster School District had a "revolutionary impact" on Southern California, paving the way for civil rights legislation nationwide.

Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, and four other families, challenged segregation in local schools by suing to end educational segregation in Orange County, according to the Mendez Tribute Website. That court ruling will be honored on Friday, when The City of Westminster unveils the site in progress.

Sylvia Mendez, an American civil rights activist of Mexican-Puerto Rican heritage, grew up in California, where Hispanics were not allowed to attend schools designated for "whites,” and instead were sent to "Mexican” schools.

"At age eight, Sylvia's parents, along with five other families, challenged that practice in the 1946 case Mendez v. Westminster," a spokesperson for the event said. "The case successfully ended school segregation in California and paved the way for the American civil rights movement. "

Westminster's Mendez Tribute bike path will run 2.5 miles along Hoover Street, they said. The statue will be placed at the site of the school "where the Mendez children were originally assigned."

"The Mendez Tribute Monument and Trail will be a celebration of this momentous achievement for all to enjoy," a spokesperson for the tribute monument said. "This will serve as a gathering place for all ages and backgrounds to come together in remembrance of this historical event, reminding us all that the future is what you make it, and to reflect on just how far we’ve come."

For more information, visit: www.MendezTribute.com