Hernandez vs. TX Supreme Court Civil Rights Case Presentation May 10th at Baker Ripley House

Hernandez v. Texas (1954) | Untold Stories of the Civil Rights Movement

Please join us for a timely presentation on this case on May 10th in the auditorium of the Baker Ripley House (Navigation Campus) - 4410 Navigation, Houston TX, 77011.

The 1954 Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas, a major win for Mexican Americans, established their recognition as a distinct group facing discrimination entitled to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. This ruling, preceding Brown v. Board, declared the exclusion of Mexican Americans from juries unconstitutional and broadened the Fourteenth Amendment's scope beyond Black/white issues, influencing later civil rights cases.

This victory was driven by the activism of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the American G.I. Forum. LULAC spearheaded the legal strategy with attorneys Gus Garcia and John Herrera, raised funds, and

Attorney Gustavo Garcia, Pete Hernandez, and Attorney Johnny Herrera on the courthouse steps ca. 1953

submitted a supporting brief. The GI Forum raised awareness, provided financial support, and mobilized the community.

Key lawyers in this landmark case included Gus C. Garcia, who delivered crucial arguments; John J. Herrera, vital for strategy and local context; Carlos Cadena, who contributed significant legal research; and James DeAnda, involved in the early stages.

Hernandez broadened the Fourteenth Amendment's reach, set a precedent for challenging various forms of discrimination, and laid the groundwork for future legal victories for Latinos, such as ending school segregation specifically against Mexican American students. The case, fueled by dedicated organizations and lawyers, was a pivotal moment that significantly expanded the meaning of equal protection in the U.S.