Assemblyman Luis Alejo’s bill aiming to ban the use of “Redskins” as a public school mascot name in California is headed to the governor’s desk for a possible signature.
The California Racial Mascots Act passed through the State Assembly and State Senate and will now head to Gov. Jerry Brown for consideration.
If signed, California would be the first state to pass a law phasing out the use of the term “Redskins” as a “school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname in California public schools,” according to Alejo’s office.
Alejo, D-Salinas, represents San Benito County and introduced the California Racial Mascots Act in the Assembly in December. It would ban the use of the name in light of public pressure for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League to change the longstanding team name.
Alejo’s announcement pointed out how the state legislature previously approved a similar bill, but it was vetoed by the prior governor.
There are four California public high schools listed with the Redskins mascot on MaxPreps.com. They include Gustine, Calaveras, Tulare and Chowchilla. There are 69 high schools in the nation with the school mascot listed on the prep sports website.
The bill passed the Assembly in a 59-9 vote. It passed the State Senate 25-10, according to Alejo’s office in an announcement released Thursday afternoon.
