Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sqoop - Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos
Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photosSqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos

News

Parents vote on dropping Michael Jackson’s name from his old school hall

 

US pop megastar Michael Jackson performing during his “Dangerous” tour on September 1, 1993 in Singapore. AFP PHOTO

Parents at a Los Angeles elementary school have voted on whether to drop Michael Jackson’s name from the auditorium after damaging paedophilia allegations made against the late pop singer in a documentary.

Gardner Street school’s Michael Jackson Auditorium has become a thorny issue ever since the airing of “Leaving Neverland”, an HBO documentary which alleges the singer molested two boys when they were seven and 10 years old.

Jackson attended the school in 1969, but left after his family band, The Jackson 5, scored their first big hit, “I want you back”.

Officials at Gardner Street school would not say when the results of this week’s vote would be released.

“Following remarks by some parents and team members about the current name of our auditorium … we gave the opportunity to parents and employees to decide on the issue,” said principal Karen Hollis.

The auditorium at the school, in the heart of Hollywood, was named for Jackson in 1989 before first allegations of abuse were laid on the singer, who died in 2009 of a drug overdose.

A 13-year-old boy complained about being abused by Jackson in 1993, but the case was settled out of court. The singer was tried in 2005 for the alleged abuse of another minor, but acquitted.

“The name should probably be removed, it’s not right for an elementary school. The documentary gave a very clear picture of the situation”, Robert Fitzgerald, a parent told the Los Angeles Times.

Another parent disagreed, however.

“People in this country have done much worse, have been convicted and still have their names on buildings”, said Myreon Arslan.

You May Also Like

Events

The debut Captain Morgan Spice Takeover in Uganda delivered an electrifying blend of spice, music, and vibrant entertainment. Jamaican dancehall artist Kranium headlined the...

Features

A bunch of Ugandans find themselves teeming with a new-found energy after coming through a three-day training workshop with two acclaimed Hollywood filmmakers. The...

Events

  Allan Toniks, real name Allan Ampaire, is among the few artistes from his generation still standing strong over 15 years since his debut....

News

  Spotify has announced that the South African multi-award-winning R&B sensation Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli, alias Elaine, is the Equal Artist for October 2024. A...

Advertisement