Photo Credit: Newsday
U.S. Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie of New York's Eastern District Court dismissed the lawsuit by the Wantagh, Massapequa, Connetquot and Wyandanch school districts against New York State on March 27th, which challenged the state's ban of Native American mascots, names and logos used by public schools.
Photo Credit: LI Herald
April 3rd, 2025
Edited by Andrea Chen
Last week on Thursday, March 27th, federal judge U.S. Chief Judge Margo K. Brodie of New York's Eastern District Court dismissed the lawsuit by the Wantagh, Wyandanch, Massapequa and Connetquot school districts against New York State, which challenged their ban of Native American mascots, names and logos used by public schools. The complaint was originally filed in January 2024. The judge wrote in a court document that the districts "lack capacity" to sue under the 14th Amendment and other acts and "because school district plaintiffs, school board plaintiffs, and individual board member plaintiffs suing in their official capacity lack capacity to assert a First Amendment violation, the court does not address their overbreadth claims". Casey Fahrer of the Long Island Press reports that the judge stated the districts can file an amended complaint within 30 days; otherwise, the clerk will close the case.
State Senator Steven Rhoads, a Wantagh grad, had introduced two bills a few months ago on January 8th, 2025 (Senate Bill 2025-S717) to exempt Wantagh schools from "regulations regarding the use of indigenous mascots" and also protect other districts that did not want to get rid of their mascots, names and logos.
In light of this new court ruling, districts have until June 30th (the end of the 2024-2025 school year) to comply with the ban before facing threat of losing state funding or the removal of school officers, although they can apply for an extension if they verify that they will remove the prohibited mascots, logos and names. Wantagh Superintendent John McNamara said that the district is disappointed in the court's ruling, saying that they will be "reviewing the decision and will explore all available options as we move forward." If the district changes the logo, it is estimated to cost more than $650,000. According to the New York State Sportswriters Association, Wantagh has already spent more than $61,000 to put a new "W" logo on the gym floors at the middle and high schools.
The Wantagh Warriors, a name used by the high school sports teams since 1956, have a logo of a Native American profile with two feathers, while the Massapequa Chiefs have a similar Native American profile with a feathered headdress.
In July 2024, Massapequa locals spoke with broker and Wantagh grad Al Iaquinta about the mascot ban; several viewed the logo and nickname as tributes and sources of pride that were not negatively "targeting" Native Americans:
At the time of this video, the district had reached out to Native Americans for further discussion, but had not heard back.
Charles Shaw of the LI Herald reported that in June 2024, Wantagh's district mascot committee consisting of teachers, administrators and students had discussed potential alternatives in the event that they could not keep the Warriors nickname or logo. Several options included a trident for the logo, as well as the nicknames Titans, Wolves and the Wolverines.
This dispute has been ongoing since November 2022. Darwin Yanes of Newsday reports that 13 school districts were threatened by the New York State Board of Regents with loss of state funding in April 2023 and the following month with Part 123 passed on May 3, 2023, stating that, "no public school in the State of New York may utilize or display an indigenous name, logo, or mascot other than for purposes of classroom instruction". NewsdayTV's Laura Albanese reported on this in April 2023 sharing opinions from both sides, including that of Harry Wallace, Unkechaug Indian Nation Chief:
Alex Mitchell of the New York Post also interviewed Al on the "infuriating" mascot ban that "makes no sense". Matt Susco, President of the Wantagh Preservation Society and the Wantagh Museum, noted that Wantagh's mascot is based on a portrait of a historical figure - Sachem leader Chief Wantagh of the Montaukett tribe, who settled in the area during the mid-17th century. In 1891, the community honored the chief by renaming the town after him. Later in 1956 as tribute, the school district adopted the Warriors team name.
Back in September 2023, a poll of the Wantagh school community showed that more than 88% requested that the district keep the "Warrior" name and 75% of 962 respondents asked the district to challenge the state's ban.
As noted by Jerry Barmash in Massapequa Patch, Massapequa Superintendent Dr. William Brennan is also exploring their district's legal options, stating in an open letter on Friday, March 28th that "We firmly believe that decisions about our schools should reflect the voices of the people who live here, not be dictated by the state. Despite this setback, we remain steadfast in our advocacy and will continue to explore all available options. We will be consulting with legal counsel in the coming days to determine our next steps".
While 80-90% of Native Americans oppose the name and logo changes happening across the country, the other 10-20% are funded by American investor and philanthropist George Soros and the radical left. Interviews with Eunice Davidson of the Spirit Lake Tribe and Associate Board Member of Native American Guardian's Association (NAGA), as well as Tony Henson, President of NAGA, shed more light on this:
Eunice questions why the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), funded by George Soros, is supporting name changes. She raises concerns for the loss of Native American history with these name changes and if down the line, this will ultimately lead to erasure of Native American representation, ownership, rights and possession of their remaining untouched land on Indian reservations.
As Wantagh and other school districts move forward with next steps after the court's recent ruling, local communities continue their ongoing support and pride in their Native American mascots, nicknames and logos that represent their core values of bravery, leadership, courage and strength.
