'No Honor In Racism Rally' Planned For Vikings-Redskins Game

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – There is controversy surrounding the Vikings home game next week. But it’s not because of the home team. It’s their opponent that’s creating waves.

Not everyone agrees with the name and mascot of the Washington Redskins.

Thursday, the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media announced a rally which will be held before next week’s Vikings game at TCF Bank Stadium.

The rally will be at 10 a.m. at Tribal Nations Plaza on the U of M campus near the stadium.

The group wants Washington ownership to hear their opposition. They came together Thursday to stand-up against a name they call racist.

It began with traditional music, but the topic quickly turned to the Vikings next opponent.

“We are rallying the community. We want the name changed for one. Redskins denotes genocide from our community. It’s a horrific word,” David Glass said.

Former Minnesota Viking Joey Browner said it was difficult for him to play against a team that demoralized his heritage.

“Professional athletes right now have to step up and say ‘I’m indigenous.’ These logos and this imagery are detrimental to our community. They’re degrading, and now we want to say that we’re not going to be mascots anymore. We won’t stand for this wording,” Browner said.

Washington will play the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium on the U of M campus Nov. 2.

The university supports a name change, calling it offensive and inappropriate. But a spokesperson said the university doesn’t have the authority to prevent the game from being played there.

Minnesota is home to 11 tribal nations and that’s why Clyde Bellecourt, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, said this is the right place to call for a change of the mascot.

“It has a tremendous effect on our community and that’s why we’re going to put a stop to it,” Bellecourt said.

Minneapolis City Council members also made a push to make the word, Redskins, illegal in the city. Wednesday, the city attorney said Minneapolis has no jurisdiction over speech on university owned property.

Washington’s owner Dan Snyder has said he’ll never change, saying it honors Native Americans.