ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y.—New York Assemblyman Karl Brabenec has urged locals to sign an online petition to keep historic school team names and mascots referencing Native Americans.
According to a state Department of Education regulation, all public schools must ditch team names, mascots, and logos associated with Indigenous people by June 30.
“These names have been a part of our communities for decades. They symbolize the strength, resilience, and courage of our students and athletes, as well as the communities that support them,” Brabenec said in an April 9 statement, citing Port Jervis Raiders and Minisink Valley Warriors.
The six-term Republican assemblyman is a graduate of Minisink Valley High School and a resident of Deerpark, which belongs to the Port Jervis School District….