//Cleveland Indians look into changing name amid pressure

Cleveland Indians look into changing name amid pressure

Amid new pressure sparked by a national movement to correct racial wrongdoings, the Cleveland Indians said they will review their long-debated nickname.The Cleveland Indians said Friday they are looking to engage their community and appropriate stakeholders “to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name.” There have been previous efforts to get the Indians to rename themselves. But following the death George Floyd in Minnesota and other examples of police brutality against Black people in the U.S., there has been a major move nationwide to eradicate racially insensitive material.The team said it’s looking to continue improving on social justice issues amid the “recent social unrest.”In 2018, the Indians removed the contentious Chief Wahoo logo from their game jerseys and caps. The grinning, red-faced mascot, however, is still present on merchandise that can be purchased at Progressive Field and other team shops in Northeast Ohio.”We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advance social justice and equality,” the team said in a statement. “Our organization fully recognizes our team name is among the most visible ways in which we connect with the community.”The statement comes as recent national conversation on race has led many brands and products to review whether they should change their imaging and naming.Renewed opposition to the name of the Washington Redskins has come forth and even prompted sponsors to speak up. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Amid new pressure sparked by a national movement to correct racial wrongdoings, the Cleveland Indians said they will review their long-debated nickname.

The Cleveland Indians said Friday they are looking to engage their community and appropriate stakeholders “to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name.”

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There have been previous efforts to get the Indians to rename themselves. But following the death George Floyd in Minnesota and other examples of police brutality against Black people in the U.S., there has been a major move nationwide to eradicate racially insensitive material.

The team said it’s looking to continue improving on social justice issues amid the “recent social unrest.”

In 2018, the Indians removed the contentious Chief Wahoo logo from their game jerseys and caps. The grinning, red-faced mascot, however, is still present on merchandise that can be purchased at Progressive Field and other team shops in Northeast Ohio.

“We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advance social justice and equality,” the team said in a statement. “Our organization fully recognizes our team name is among the most visible ways in which we connect with the community.”

The statement comes as recent national conversation on race has led many brands and products to review whether they should change their imaging and naming.

Renewed opposition to the name of the Washington Redskins has come forth and even prompted sponsors to speak up.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.