A Native American group is threatening to boycott the Washington Commanders football team if the team does not change its name back to the Redskins.
The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) wrote that the group, along with its Founder and President Eunice Davidson, have sent a letter to the “Washington ‘Commanders’ Ownership & Key Leadership Formally Requesting The Team Revitalize it’s Relationship With The American Indian Community & Rightfully Change Their Name Back to ‘The Redskins.’”
In a letter that addressed what the group called the “cancel culture” against the Native American population and the erasure of its “steadfast role in American history, including serving as counselors to the Founding Fathers in the creation of the U.S. constitution.”
“At this moment in history, we are formally requesting that the team revitalize its relationship with the American Indian community by (i) changing the name back to ‘The Redskins’ which recognizes America’s original inhabitants and (ii) using the team’s historic name and legacy to encourage Americans to learn about, not cancel, the history of America’s tribes and our role in the founding of this Great Nation,” the letter read.
“Should we need to encourage a national boycott similar to what happened with Anheuser Busch (Bud Light) which is now down $27 billion (note, not one brick thrown, not one highway blocked, not one bridge burned) — WE WILL DO JUST THAT,” the letter added.
The Commanders changed their name from the Redskins in 2020 after years of pressure from Native American groups and others who said that the name was offensive. The team’s new name, the Commanders, was chosen in a fan contest.
The NAGA’s letter is the latest in a series of protests against the Commanders’ name change. In June, a group of Native American protesters disrupted a Commanders practice. The protesters said that the name change was “a slap in the face” to Native Americans.
The Commanders have not yet responded to the NAGA’s letter. It is unclear whether the team will return its name to the Redskins.
🚨BREAKING: Native American Guardian’s Association Founder & President Eunice Davidson Sent a Demand Letter Today to Washington "Commanders" Ownership & Key Leadership Formally Requesting The Team Revitalize it's Relationship With The American Indian Community & Rightfully Change… pic.twitter.com/cpau4hVq6H
— Native American Guardians Association (@GuardiansNative) August 7, 2023
