Crystal City 1969

Crystal City 1969 is based on the true story of Mexican-American students in south Texas who walked out of school and into civil rights and US political history.

In 1969, students at Crystal City High School demanded that they be treated equally without prejudice. They were punished for speaking Spanish on campus, and forbidden to eat Mexican food in the cafeteria. They simply wanted what teenagers around the country wanted – to become a cheerleader, the homecoming queen, or a varsity athlete. However, these recognitions were almost exclusively reserved for non-Latinos while Latinos were punished for their culture. On December 9, 1969, student leaders Severita Lara, Diana Serna, and Mario Treviño led a walkout that transformed not only the local educational system but inspired their parents to run for political office. About an event rarely discussed in contemporary history textbooks, Crystal City 1969 is an example of American democracy at its best.