A federal prosecutor was presented with the case of the Native American logo ban in New York on Tuesday, following a strong push from the Trump administration to defend the name of Long Island’s Massapequa Chiefs.
Linda McMahon, the U.S. Education Secretary, reached out to a fire department concerning the Department of Justice’s stance on the logo issue after New York declined to amicably settle its policy in response to a proposal from the Civil Rights Office.
McMahon expressed that both the New York State Department of Education and the Regent Committee had ignored federal anti-discrimination laws while belittling the people of Massapequa by enforcing what she termed “absurd policies.” Her visit to Long Island High School in May highlighted her concerns.
During her visit, she criticized the 2023 ban on Native American imagery in public education. “You have groups like the Huguenots and Highlanders, yet no one labels that as racist,” she noted in a gym packed with students.
Her office indicated that the case was brought to the DOJ under Title VI regarding civil rights violations.
Initially, the state council and education board were offered two resolutions to voluntarily abandon the ban or face DOJ referral, but both offers were declined.
McMahon lamented that these institutions continue to undermine the Massapequa community by rejecting the Civil Rights Bureau’s proposal aimed at rectifying Civil Rights Act violations.
“We won’t allow New York to silence Native American voices, nor can we discriminate against which historical narratives are acceptable to either promote or erase,” she stated.
The Massapequa community is engaged in protracted legal battles in defense of the Chiefs logo, supported by the Native American Guardians Association. The district estimates it would cost around $1 million to phase out the team name, as indicated by Kelly Wachter, the education board president.
McMahon praised the school for its dedication to education and strong support for its mascot. “Taking away the crest of such an iconic representation is just wrong,” she said during her visit to Massapequa last month.
Other districts on Long Island that also use Native American names have had to allocate significant funds for mascot and logo replacements without facing legal action in New York.
Dave Frank, vice-chairman of the state Department of Education, addressed the allegations of discrimination, suggesting that the state might broaden its ban to cover other offensive names and logos.
“They’re attempting to navigate this issue. I’ve shown that this regulation is problematic,” Wachter previously stated. “Now, we’re looking at yet another unfunded mandate for districts that are already struggling, just to avoid giving Massapequa a win?”
The residents of Massapequa rallied in support of the logo, especially following President Trump’s intervention in April, when he declared, “Long Live the Massapequa Chiefs!”
“We have backing from the U.S. President, the Department of Education, the entire town, and the Native American Guardians Association. Now we are hopeful for similar support from the Department of Justice,” they said. “Don’t underestimate the strength and determination of Massapequa.”
