GARDEN GROVE MAYOR Steve Jones with Orange Crescent School students (Facebook).

In response to hate mail and other expressions of intolerance, Orange Crescent School in Garden Grove was the scene Friday of an assembly and press conference to promote acceptance and community unity.

The school, located on 13th Street and associated with the Islamic Society of Orange County mosque located there, was the site of support from various local leaders, including Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones.

“I am inspired to witness yet another act of humanity emanating from Garden Grove, an ethnically diverse city of 180,000 people, setting an example of how the world ought to behave,” said Jones.

Students at the school recited the Pledge of Allegiance and heard speakers praise the school and vow to defend the rights of the students.

FEDS LAUNCH INQUIRY INTO D.A.’s OFFICE

U.S. Department of Justice officials announced Thursday an investigation into the Orange County District Attorney’s office and its use of jail informants.

Critics accuse the county of using jailhouse “snitches” to violate the inmate’s Sixth Amendment rights to have an attorney present during questioning.

TONY RACKAUCKAS (OCDA photo).

“A systematic failure to protect the right to counsel and a fair trial makes criminal proceedings fundamentally unfair and diminishes the public’s faith in the integrity of the justice system,” said Vanita Gupta, head of the civil rights division of the Justice Department.

In response District Attorney Tony Ruckauckas issued a statement that read “We are pleased to work with the USDOJ Civil Rights Division, provide all needed documents and information, and hope for an expedited conclusion to their civil inquiry. The OCDA believes at the conclusion of USDOJ Civil Rights Division’s review, they will conclude that the OCDA did not engage in systematic or intentional violation of civil rights of any inmate and no innocent person was wrongfully convicted.”

SANTIAGO TEACHER IS HONORED

The Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education recognized Santiago High School teacher Sheri Zoratti at its Dec. 13 meeting for being named a Carlston Family Foundation Outstanding Teacher of America.

Zoratti was nominated by Santiago graduate William Beltran, who also attended the board meeting, and more than 16 former students who supported her nomination by writing recommendations. Each of the Carlston Family Foundation award-winning teachers are nominated by former students who are successful in their academic and life pursuits.

The president of the Carlston Family Foundation, Timothy M. Allen and Santiago Principal Michael Kennedy attended the Board meeting to congratulate Zoratti, and read powerful excerpts from the recommendation letters from her former students.  The Carlston Family Foundation awarded Zoratti with $20,000, a portion of which is donated to Santiago High School.