On Monday, November 13th at 1 pm, the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing on H.477/S.245 – An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth. This bill is the top legislative priority of the Mass Mascot Coalition and MaIndigenousAgenda.org. New York banned the use of Native mascots in public schools earlier this year. It’s time for Massachusetts to do the same. Your help is needed. See the message from the bill’s Senate sponsor, Jo Comerford, below.
“I am delighted to share that a bill I filed with Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley, H.477/S.245 – An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth, will have a hearing on Monday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m.
I both welcome and need your participation in the hearing.
About H.477/S.245:
Indigenous Leaders in the Commonwealth and the Indigenous Legislative Agenda are calling for an end to the appropriation of Native American images, symbols, language for athletic mascots in public schools.
That’s what this bill accomplishes.
You are warmly welcome to participate in this hearing – either in person at the State House or remotely via video, or by submitting written testimony. (Remember, public input is absolutely critical for passage of this bill.)
As you consider testifying on the bill, please also consider posting this opportunity on your social media, sharing it with your neighborhood listserv, or any other way to amplify this hearing. By sharing this information with your networks, more people have the chance to make their voices heard on why this matters to them.
Native American Mascot Hearing:
Joint Committee on Education
Monday, November 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
To testify in-person or virtually:
Register by completing this form before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9 (TOMORROW).
To submit written testimony (it need not be long or detailed):
Email your statement to the House Chair Denise Garlick at Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov, Senate Chair Jason Lewis at Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov, and copy me at Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov.
Please include the subject line:
“EDUCATION COMMITTEE TESTIMONY re: H.477/S.245 – An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth”.
Also be sure to include your name, organization, and phone number in the body of the email.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy on this important issue! We hear you loud and clear, all the way to Beacon Hill.”
Warmest regards,
Jo