ORANGE COUNTY – Assemblyman Tri Ta, joined by civil rights leader Sylvia Mendez, local leaders, and community advocates, held a press conference Monday at Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School to highlight Assembly Bill 2294, legislation to establish “Sylvia Mendez Day” in California.
AB 2294 would designate April 14 as “Sylvia Mendez Day,” recognizing the legacy of Mendez v. Westminster, a landmark case that helped end school segregation in California and paved the way for broader civil rights progress nationwide.
The bill builds on Assemblyman Ta’s previous legislation, AB 1805, which helped bring the story of Mendez v. Westminster into classrooms across the state. AB 2294 takes the next step by establishing a statewide day of recognition to reinforce that history.
“As we think about our future, we need to make sure that not only are we teaching this history, we are also honoring it,” said Assemblyman Ta. “This ensures Sylvia Mendez’s story is never forgotten.”
“Sylvia Mendez reminds us of the importance of standing up for yourself and your community,” said Rep. Lou Correa. “Californians should be aware that school segregation was not just an injustice that occurred in the ‘Jim Crow’ South, but it happened right here too. Recognizing both Sylvia Mendez’s story and the landmark Mendez v. Westminster ruling through a state holiday will help shine a light on the history of school segregation in Orange County, the perseverance of the Latino community, and how a young girl has the power to make sweeping change.”
“The Mendez v. Westminster case helped pave the way for Brown v. Board of Education and changed the course of civil rights history in America,” said Assemblymember Valencia (D-Anaheim). “Seventy-nine years ago, on April 14, 1947, that decision was made. At a time when Latino children were being turned away from school doors simply because of who they were, Sylvia Mendez and her family refused to accept that. Her courage helped dismantle segregation in California and set a precedent for the entire nation. I want to thank Assemblymember Ta for elevating the importance of Mendez v. Westminster.”
In 1947, the Mendez family and other parents challenged school segregation in Orange County after their children were denied access to local schools. Their case helped end segregated schooling in California and set an important legal precedent, paving the way for future civil rights rulings across the country, like Brown v. Board of Education.
“I’m grateful to the local leaders who came out to support this effort, and to the school board for opening their doors and helping make this event possible,” said Sylvia Mendez. “It means a lot to see this community come together to honor this history and make sure it’s passed on to future generations.”
Assemblyman Ta and Ms. Mendez were joined by a broad coalition of community leaders, including U.S. Congressman Lou Correa, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, Michael Carter of the Tierney Center for Veteran Services, and trustees from school districts across Orange County.
For Assemblyman Ta’s full remarks from the press conference, read more here.
Video from the event is available here, and photos from the event are available here