The Overview
If you live in California, April 14 is now an official state holiday honoring Sylvia Mendez and her family's fight to end school segregation. California's State holidays: Sylvia Mendez Day, Assembly Bill 2294 became law when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 27. The Mendez family won a federal court case in 1947, *Mendez v. Westminster*, that barred school segregation based on national origin, seven years before *Brown v. Board of Education*. Still, many Americans, including many Latinos, don't know much about the case, according to NBC News.
What the Law Does
California law now makes Sylvia Mendez Day a state holiday, joining existing ones like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Cesar Chavez Day. The bill also exempts Sylvia Mendez Day from being a judicial holiday.
Legislative Status
Assemblymember Tri Ta (R) sponsored the bill, and 16 lawmakers co-sponsored it. Co-sponsors include Senator Tom Umberg (D), Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R), Assemblymember Leticia Castillo (R), Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R) and Assemblymember Heath Flora (R), plus 11 others.
An Assembly committee approved it 21-0 on April 22, and the full Assembly passed it 73-0 on May 4. A Senate committee approved it 13-0 on June 9. On Aug. 31, the Assembly voted 77-0 to accept the changes the Senate made.
Sylvia Mendez said: "I am deeply honored that Governor Newsom has signed AB 2294 and that April 14 will now be recognized as Sylvia Mendez Day in California," according to Community News.
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