Michael Jackson's name uncovered in L.A. public school
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The late pop icon Michael Jackson, who was charged with child molestation seven years ago, was reinstated in a spectacular way, this time by a sting of gleaming silver letters dedicated to his name in a Los Angeles elementary school on Friday.
The sign, proclaiming The Michael Jackson Auditorium at Gardner Street Elementary School in Hollywood, was uncovered from behind white plywood boards at the direction of Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines, ending a period of seven years when the tribute was covered by the school after Jackson was arrested on suspicion of child molestation in 2003.
The move is meant to honor the King of Pop's "musical legacy and contribution to modern culture," Cortines said in a prepared statement.
"It's important for the District to value the artistic impact and humanitarian contribution that will be the lasting legacy of Michael Jackson," Los Angeles School Board member Steven Zimmer said. "I'm happy that we will be recognizing and appreciating Michael's LAUSD moment."
The school, which locates a few blocks west of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, is the last public school that Jackson has attended. In 1969, he and his family moved to Los Angeles from Gary, Ind., so that Jackson and his brothers could make a record with Motown.
As an 11-year-old, he was briefly enrolled as a sixth grader. Three months after school started, the Jackson 5 released their debut album "Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5."
The sign was originally unveiled at the then newly-refurbished auditorium in 1989. Jackson attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where the school's choir sang "We Are the World," a tune Jackson co-wrote. Gleaming silver letters across the front of the building read: "The Michael Jackson Auditorium."
In return, Jackson sort of adopted his old school; he paid the salary for the school's music teacher, planted memorial rose bushes near the playground, and even left his famous signature on the wall of his old 6th grade schoolroom.
However, when the King of Pop was charged with child molestation, the school chose to remove his name from the auditorium, covering it with layered board.
After the entertainer's death in June 2009, fans began a campaign to have his name revealed.
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