NYCLU Praises NYSED's Stand Against Trump and Support for Ban on Offensive School Mascots That Have A Racist History

NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) decisively rejected the Trump administration's attempts to pressure the state into lifting its prohibition on offensive Native American mascots. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) responded with a powerful statement from Cassandra Minerd, a key strategist in their Racial Justice Center: “NYSED's stance is commendable, firmly challenging the Trump administration’s disrespectful endeavor to undermine Native American culture while perverting established civil rights legislation for its own benefit. Utilizing derogatory mascots fosters harmful stereotypes, trivializing vibrant cultures into false and demeaning portrayals that perpetuate prejudice and obscure historical truth. Indigenous nations, deserving of true respect, reject these flawed representations. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act aims to shield students from discrimination. Should the Trump administration's misuse of this law succeed, essential funding for New York’s public schools could be jeopardized, critical resources that sustain educational environments, especially for Indigenous students.”