Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assemblyman Luis Alejo’s bill banning the use of “Redskins” as a public school mascot name in California, according to Alejo’s office.
It makes California 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. It will 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. The governor signed it Sunday, according to Alejo’s office.
The bill goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
