For Immediate Release
July 13, 2020
Contact
Matthew Nocella, mnocella@dccouncil.us, 202.286.1987
Washington Football Team’s name retirement is a win for activists
Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso released the following statement regarding the announcement by the Washington Football Team that they would end the use of its name, a dictionary-defined racial slur, and racist logo:
“I am overjoyed at the Washington Football Team’s commitment to end their use of a racial slur for the team’s name and racist imagery for its logo and mascot. No longer will Native Americans be dishonored and disrespected every Sunday, every time a news outlet reports on that name, or every time a fan dons their apparel.
“A lot of praise will be lavished on the corporate sponsors who finally began to speak up and threaten Dan Snyder’s bottom line. But, there are so many Native individuals and groups and their allies who have been fighting for this change for decades and whose hard work and dedication deserve recognition. Suzan Harjo, Amanda Blackhorse, Crystal Echo Hawk, David Glass, Ray Halbritter, the National Congress of American Indians, Kevin Gover at the National Museum of the American Indian, Rebrand Washington Football and anyone who stood up and spoke out against this nearly 90 year injustice. They made a demand and those in power have finally conceded. This is their moment.
“Over the years I have had the honor of meeting with them, protesting with them, delivering petitions with them, and doing what I could to put the pressure on the team from the Council of the District of Columbia. I thank them all for allowing me to be a part of this movement and for never taking ‘NEVER’ as an answer.”
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