U.S. says New York school violated civil rights law in mascot name change

Federal education officials said a New York school district violated civil rights law by changing its team name from the “Thunderbirds” to the “T-Birds,” according to The Associated Press. The U.S. Department of Education said the Connetquot Central School District can resolve the violation by restoring the Thunderbirds name. The Long Island district changed the name to comply with state regulations that ban Native American sports names and mascots, according to the report.

Federal officials said the state mandate violates civil rights law because it allows schools to keep team names derived from other racial or ethnic groups, such as the Dutchmen and Huguenots, according to The Associated Press. The school district said it is reviewing the federal finding. New York state education officials said the conclusion “makes a mockery” of civil rights laws. A spokesperson for the New York State Education Department said the department remains committed to ending harmful depictions of Indigenous people.