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California governor signs legislation barring sports teams from using 'Redskins' as mascot
California Governor Jerry Brown signed legisaltion on Sunday banning use of the term "Redskins" as a mascot or team name in the state.
AB 30, the California Racial Mascots Act, was approved by both houses of the state's legislature last month and was one of several bills Brown signed into law.
Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo, who introduced the bill, says the name "Redskins" dates from a time in California's history when bounty hunters were rewarded for killing Native Americans and it should not be affiliated with schools.
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There are currently four schools in California that still use the name Redskins for their teams. The ban goes into effect in 2017.
In a statement, the grassroots campaign Change the Mascot lauded California's new law.
"Their historic step to build a better future stands in stark contrast to the dogged inaction of Washington's NFL team, which in the face of all the evidence that this term degrades and offends Native Americans, continues to defend and promote the slur for its own financial gain."
A federal judge ruled in July that the Washington Redskins federal trademark registrations be canceled, which activists called a "huge victory" in the fight to get Washington to change its name from one considered a slur by many. Team owner Daniel Snyder has vowed to never change the name, and the team is appealing the decision.
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