One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Virtual Groundbreaking For Park Commemorating Major Civil Rights Moment In Southern California
An East L.A. artist will create the bronze statues for a new park that will celebrate the landmark case that led to the desegregation of California schools and ended the practice of what was known as "Mexican schools."
A virtual groundbreaking today showcased what the park in Westminster will look like and served as a history lesson.
A rendering of Mendez Tribute Park in Westminster. (Courtesy of City of Westminster)
In 1943, the children of Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez were denied enrollment at the all-white 17th Street School in Westminster. They and other families sued county school districts, and in 1947, they won the case: Mendez v. Westminster.
East Los Angeles-born artist Ignacio Gomez was commissioned to create bronze statues for the park — they will be of Mr. and Ms. Mendez and two children carrying books:
"It means a great deal, I'm deeply honored. I was fortunate that when I was growing up, I grew up in a mixed neighborhood so I never basically experienced any of that, somewhat a little bit, but not what they experienced."
Sponsored message
READ MORE ABOUT THE LANDMARK CASE
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
