SYLVIA MENDEZ (center in blue) was the main speaker (Tribune photo).

From a staff writer

It was a long journey from the segregated schools of Orange County to the honoring of those who challenged – and ultimately played a key role in ending – separation based on race all across the nation.

A VIEW of the trail (Tribune photo).

On Tuesday morning the dedication ceremony for the Mendez Freedom Trail was held along the Hoover Street bikeway, paralleling a railroad track south of Westminster Boulevard.

The trail consists of colorful and historical art recounting the background, experience and heritage of the case.

The guest of honor – who also made the closing remarks – was Sylvia Mendez, in whose name a lawsuit was filed by her parents, Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez and others objecting to the then-policy of Westminster School District – and certain other Orange County public school systems – segregating classrooms of Mexican pupils from the rest of the student population.

Mendez v. Westminster was decided on April 14, 1947 with the judge declaring that such segregation was unconstitutional.

The ruling became a precedent for the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that school segregation was unlawful for the entire nation.

That ruling -– based on the Mendez decision – is considered a major force in advancing the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s which culminated in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Other speakers included City Manager Christine Cordon, Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen and Assemblyman Tri Ta (R-70th District).