A California school district is defending its decision to name a new elementary school after an infamous Hispanic murderer – by calling him a hero and a role model to children

The decision has infuriated many parents and law enforcement officers. The Alisal Union School District in Salinas agreed to name the new school in honor of Tiburcio Vasquez – who was eventually hanged for killing at least two people in the nineteenth century. Superintendent John Ramirez defended the board’s decision saying that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. “Tiburcio Vasquez, along with others, was an individual who was a revolutionary,” Ramirez said. “He was not okay with the oppression.” Vasquez “was probably the most notorious bandit California ever saw,” according to the University of Southern California library. He was 14-years-old when he committed his first crime – stabbing a constable. In 1875 Vasquez was convicted of two murders and subsequently hanged. Other historical records indicate that he may have killed as many as six people – including a law enforcement officer. “He took from the rich and gave to the poor,” Francisco Estrada said. “He was your inspiration of Zorro.” Estrada sat on the naming committee for the new elementary school and said that the convicted murderer was a good man who should be a model to the youth of East Salinas. Ramirez said that Vasquez is a role model to Mexican-Americans. Some local officials said that they have a problem with naming a school after a violent criminal. “You would not name a school Charles Manson Elementary, Ted Bundy Middle School or Bernie Madoff High,” one parent told the school board. “I don’t like the idea of naming the school after a criminal,” councilman Steve McShane said. “There’s a big difference between naming a school after people in our history who have shown leadership and courage – and those disrespectful of common laws and decency.” The incoming mayor of Salinas suggested there were plenty of other people in the community to name the school after – who did not have criminal records. “We’re a city fighting crime,” Mayor Joe Gunter said. “We don’t want to be honoring people who are criminals. We want to honor good people.”