NY's Native American logo ban turned over to DOJ as Trump admin fights to save Massapequa Chiefs
New York State's ban on Native American logos was referred to federal prosecutors Tuesday after the Trump administration enthusiastically jumped in to save the name of the Massapequa Chiefs on Long Island.
US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon wrote a fire letter referring the 'absurd' issue to the Department of Justice in a lifeline to the Massapequa after New York State refused to voluntarily dissolve its policy on an offer from the department's Office for Civil Rights.
'Both the New York Department of Education and the Board of Regents violated federal antidiscrimination law and disrespected the people of Massapequa by implementing an absurd policy,' said McMahon, who visited the Long Island High School in May.
5 Sec. of Education Linda McMahon is taking the Massapequa Chiefs logo issues to the Department of Justice, calling New York's attempt to remove it 'absurd.'
Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
She torched the ban — enacted in 2023 — on Native American logos and imagery for public schools during a May visit to the Long Island school, saying it was discriminatory because it only applied to names and logos of one ethnicity.
'You've got the Huguenots, we've got the Highlanders, we've got the Scotsman. Why is that not considered in any way racist?' she asked in the gym surrounded by students.
5 Sec. of Education Linda McMahon toured Massapequa High School in May.
Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
McMahon brought the case to the DOJ as a Title VI civil rights violation, which was an 'unlawful attempt to ban mascots and logos that celebrate Native American history,' according to her office.
Initially, the state Board of Regents and the state education department were twice offered a resolution agreement, which would have allowed them to voluntarily withdraw from the ban or risk a referral to the DOJ.
Both rejected the offers, her office said.
'Both of these entities continue to disrespect the people of Massapequa by refusing to come into compliance with the Office for Civil Rights' proposed agreement to rectify their violations of civil rights law,' said McMahon.
'We will not allow New York state to silence the voices of Native Americans, and discriminatorily choose which history is acceptable to promote or erase.'
5 The town has aggressively fought to keep its Chiefs name.
Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Massapequa has been involved in lengthy legal action supported by the Native American Guardians Association to retain its Chiefs logo. The district would have to spend $1 million to phase out the team name, according to school board president Kerry Wachter.
'This is a school that really takes its education seriously, and they're incredibly, incredibly behind their school, behind their Chiefs,' McMahon told The Post while in Massapequa last month.
'I think this is wrong — what's happening at Massapequa, to take away this incredible mascot and emblem of Chiefs.'
Other Native American-named districts on Long Island that had unsuccessfully sued New York are now allocating massive funds to replace their mascots and logos — most shockingly, the Connetquot which said rebranding from the Thunderbirds will cost $23 million.
5 Sec. of Education Linda McMahon criticized that the logo ban applies only to Native American culture.
Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Dave Frank, assistant commissioner of the state Department of Education, has responded to discriminatory claims to say the state could expand the ban to include other names and logos ruled to be offensive.
'That's their workaround … we've demonstrated that this regulation was not a good idea,' Wachter previously told The Post.
'Now you're wanting to put another unfunded mandate on top of all these districts who are just barely making it, just to not give Massapequa the win?'
5 Massapequa School Board President Kerry Wachter is seen wearing a shirt with President Trump's 'LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS' quote.
Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post
Rather than caving, townsfolk in Massapequa have rallied in support of the fight since President Trump intervened in April and ironically declared, 'LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!'
'We've garnered the support from the President of the United States, the Department of Education, the whole town, the Native American Guardians Association, and now we expect the same from the Department of Justice,' Chiefs lawyer and Massapequa native Oliver Roberts told The Post..
'Never underestimate the power and resolve of Massapequa.'
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