Calif. first state to ban ‘Redskins’ team name
By Lydia O’Connor, Huffington Post
The Washington Redskins have come under fire for their name. Photo/Keith Allison
California became the first state to ban public schools from using “Redskins” as a team name, nickname or mascot on Sunday in a move applauded by Native American activists.
Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, the California Racial Mascots Act outlaws schools’ use of the slur effective Jan. 1, 2017.
Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter and National Congress of American Indians Executive Director Jackie Pata, who lead the advocacy group Change the Mascot, praised the action.