Parents Speak Against School Name at School District Meeting - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SALINAS, Calif- Parents against naming a new school in Salinas after a notorious bandit were out in full force at the Alisal Union School District meeting Wednesday night.

Members of the school board say they decided to go with naming the school after Tiburcio Vasquez because they want to students to "challenge the structure." People who are for naming the school after the Vasquez say they are trying to do their part to rewrite a history that was unfair to VAsquez. They claim he was a Mexican American hero who was doing his part to fight injustice against his people.

The Monterey County Deputy Sheriff Association and Salinas Police Peace Officer Association are also speaking out about the name chosen for the new school. They said in a statement that they are disappointed in the school district for selecting that name.

Here is the statement they released about the name selection:

"The Monterey County Deputy Sheriff Association and Salinas Police Department Police Officer Association would like to express extreme disappointment in the Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees decision to approve the name "Tiburcio Vasquez" for the new elementary school at 1300 Tuscany Blvd, Salinas.

Gang violence is not isolated to the City of Salinas but rather it's a Monterey County problem that effects everyone in one way or another.  The City of Salinas sees more than its fair share of gang violence and it's a shame that the Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees would even consider honoring a man whose name is surrounded in controversy that revolves around murder and gangs.

We should not reward behavior like Vasquez' with such honors. Is there no other person closely tied to the local Latino community who would be more deserving of such an honor to have a school named after them?"

READ MORE:

Tiburcio Vasquez's History In Monterey

New Salinas School Named After Man Admired, Feared