Mendez v. Westminster: Families for Equality

In 1945 the Mendez, Guzman, Palomino, Estrada, and Ramirez families led a movement to integrate Orange County elementary schools. They succeeded. Mendez v. Westminster: Families for Equality is a Fullerton College Production of a 28:30 documentary film by Librarian and Dramatist Erica Bennett. It weaves together family members memories of the case with the first public performance of Bennett's play El Primer Dia de Clases. The film focuses on civil rights, educational equality, and multicultural understanding of the landmark case that set the precedent for Brown vs. Board of Education. It features many of the original family members who participated in this class action lawsuit and students from the college's Ethnic Studies Department. It was created in collaboration with the Fullerton College Office of Special Programs and the Division of Academic Services.