Activists call for ban on Washington team name in Minnesota

Friday, October 11, 2013  

The American Indian Movement and its supporters are calling for a ban on the "R-word" in public facilities in Minnesota.

AIM asked the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority to stop using the name of the Washington professional football team. The group and its supporters say the term is offensive and shouldn't be broadcast or displayed in a public place like the Metrodome, which will host a game between Washington and Minnesota on November 7.

“There’s a man in Washington, D.C., who owns a professional football team and wants everyone to know that he is not going to change the name,” Richie Plass, a member of the Menominee Nation who is a part of the effort, told The Minneapolis Star Tribune. “He is taking my way of life, my identity, and he is making millions and millions of dollars off it and he’s saying, ‘You Indian people should feel honored.’ There is no honor in that.”

Mascot opponents will protest outside the upcoming game. They also hope to convince the MSFA to prevent the name from being used at a new public facility that will be the home base of the Minnesota team.

Get the Story:
American Indian groups plan to challenge NFL team's name at Metrodome (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 10/11)
New Vikings stadium may give leverage to opponents of 'Redskins' name and logo (Minnesota Public Radio 10/10)
Dispute over Washington Redskins name, logo flares up in Minnesota (AP 10/10)

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