The Council on American-Islamic Relations demanded that the Washington Redskins change their “derogatory” name and mascot on Wednesday, coinciding with President Barack Obama’s address to the 2013 Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of Interior Wednesday.
“We join with all those who are opposed to racist, stereotypical and derogatory athletic team names or mascots and urge the owner of the Washington ‘Redskins’ recognize the hurt he is causing to Native Americans and the harm such stereotypical portrayals do to our nation’s ideals of inclusion and respect for all citizens, regardless of their racial, ethnic or religious background,” CAIR’s national executive director Nihad Awad said in a statement.
Awad said that team owner Dan Snyder and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should take “immediate action” to change the name.
The Muslim advocacy group further called on all teams “stereotypical or offensive nickname[s] or mascot[s]” to change them — including a high school in California whose turban-wearing mascot is called the “Rajahs.” (RELATED: California high school told they have to change their Arab mascot)
While advocates have lined up to demand Washington’s football team find a new name, Snyder has defended the name and refuses to change it.