The fight to get the Washington Redskins to change their name is far from over. At least 2,000 Native Americans carrying signs, playing drums and chanting “Who are we? Not your mascot!” began gathering on the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday morning to stage what they hope will be the largest-ever protest against the name of the Washington Redskins.
A stream of Native Americans, students and other activists arrived by bus, car and foot at an American Indian community center for one of two marches to the stadium, where the Redskins will face the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m.
Preparations for the protest have been underway for months. A Facebook page — #NotYourMascot Global Convergence, Rally & March — indicated that 13,000 people had been invited to the protest.
Unlike many NFL cities where Native Americans have little presence, their influence in the Twin Cities — and throughout Minnesota — is robust.
TCF Bank Stadium was built with the help of a $10 million donation from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. At the time, it was largest private gift to Gophers athletics. The stadium features a plaza that honors Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes.
