Lawmakers Seek To Ban 'Redskins' Team Name From California Schools
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) -- The state Assembly has approved legislation barring California public schools from using the Redskins name for teams and mascots.
AB30 by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, a Democrat from Watsonville, would prevent public schools from using the controversial term as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname starting in 2017. The move has been deemed The Racial Mascots Act.
The Assembly voted 59-7 in favor of the bill Monday, sending it to the state Senate.
Four California schools would be impacted if passed: Gustine High School in Merced County, Calaveras High School in Calaveras County, Chowchilla Union High School in Madera County and Tulare Union High School in Tulare County.
The legislation comes as American Indian groups have protested continued use of the name, which many consider racially derogatory, and amid a fight over the NFL's Washington Redskins.
A federal panel ruled last year that the team's trademark should be canceled, but the team is challenging that decision in federal court.
This is the second time state lawmakers have tried to ban the term. A similar bill was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004.