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Assembly Education Committee Approves Legislation to Abolish American Indian Mascots in California's Schools

Sacramento, CA - In a hearing Wednesday, the Assembly Education Committee voted 6-3 to approve Assembly Bill 858 (Goldberg) legislation to eliminate American Indian mascots in California's schools. Assemblymembers Jackie Goldberg, Rebecca Cohn, Manny Diaz, Loni Hancock, Fran Pavely and Sarah Reyes voted for the bill. This bill would prohibit elementary, middle and high schools from using the racial epithet, "Redskins," as a team name. The bill would also prohibit the use of "Indians", "Braves", "Apaches", "Comanches", "Papooses", or any Native American tribal name. "Warriors" and "Sentinels" are also prohibited by the bill, if accompanied by American Indian imagery. The prohibitions do not apply to schools located within Indian country, as defined by federal law, if approved by tribal enactment.

"This issue is a critical civil rights issue for all Californians. Nobody deserves to have their religious icons and sacred objects exploited by sports teams in our public schools," said Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-45).

Sponsored by the Alliance Against Racial Mascots (ALLARM), a coalition formed by the Southern California Indian Center and the National Conference for Community and Justice, this bill has garnered broad support in Native and non-Native communities; including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Hoopa Valley Tribe, Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, National Indian Education Association, Museum of Tolerance, and the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA).

"We are pleased to support this legislation this year. I commend Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg and the Assembly Education Committee for their efforts to address an important civil rights issue while upholding tribal sovereignty," said Lyle Marshall, Chairman of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in California, and a member of ALLARM.

"For over 40 years, Native peoples have called for the elimination of Indian mascots. Yet, over 100 schools in California maintain racial mascots. The need for a state law is clear. All children suffer when racial stereotypes and religious intolerance are promoted in education, " says Cindy LaMarr, Executive Director of the Capital Area Indian Resources, Inc. and the first California Native to be elected President of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA).

For more information about the bill and racial mascots, please visit the Alliance Against Racial Mascots (ALLARM) online. Lori Nelson of Alliance Against Racial Mascots, can be contacted by phone: 213-250-8787.