Sacramento, CA…(Yesterday Governor Brown Signed AB-30 which would ban the use of the Redskins Mascot Name. The following is an earlier press release that gives details on the bill) Assembly Bill 30, authored by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), passed the Assembly Floor on concurrence with a bipartisan vote of 59 to 9. Earlier this week, the State Senate also approved this bill with a bipartisan vote of 25 to 10. Assembly Bill 30 will establish the “California Racial Mascots Act,” phasing out the use of the term “Redskins” as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname in California public schools.

“As the state with the largest Native American population in the country, we should not continue to allow a racial slur to be used by our public schools,” states Alejo. “California should lead the way and phase out the use of this derogatory term. A similar bill passed through the Legislature, but was unfortunately vetoed by the previous Administration. It’s time for California to do the right thing and phase out the use of this, dictionary defined, racial slur. Affected schools will be able to build school pride around a new mascot, just like other schools already have done.”

The “R-word” was once used to describe Native Americans scalps sold for a bounty, and current use of the term is widely recognized as a racial slur that promotes discrimination against Native Americans.

“I applaud Assemblymember Alejo for his bill which would put a long overdue end to the official use of a racial slur at our high schools. There is no question that the term ‘Redskin’ is denigrating and offensive.” Urge Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego), “I have a hard time understanding how anyone can rationalize this. It is clearly racist. Those using the word out of a misguided and outdated sense of tradition or ignorance have just got to let go. It’s past time to move forward on this issue.”

“I am thrilled with the passing of AB 30 to finally ban the use of the “R-word” in our schools, but I will refrain from celebrating this as a historic victory until the Honorable Governor Brown signs it into law,” states Dahkota KickingBear Brown, Founder and President of Native Education Raising Dedicated Students. “It has been 10 years since then-Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill. At that time, I was 6 years old and had just finished 1st grade. My peers and I are Seniors now, and many of us have struggled and faced horrible racism our entire education. I can’t help but wonder how different our experiences would’ve been had it passed. Let us pray this time that the bill becomes law and Native children will finally be given the opportunity for an equal education free from mockery.”

“I understand the concerns of the students who attend the affected high schools, and the fear they have in losing their high school identity if this bill is to pass,” states Alejo. “But this is a great opportunity to create a new identity for students, schools, and communities that inspires joy and pride for all students. A mascot is not what defines the school identity, but its community which it belongs to.”

Assembly Bill 30 will now be considered for signature by the Governor.

If signed into law, California will be the first state in the country to pass a law to phase out the use of the term “Redskins” as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname in California public schools.

Luis Alejo represents the 30th District in the California State Assembly, which consists of the Salinas Valley, Monterey County, San Benito County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County.