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Long Islanders Seek Support from Trump on High School Logo Controversy
Residents of Massapequa, Long Island, are calling on former President Donald Trump to lend his influence as they grapple with a state law mandating the removal of school logos that reference indigenous people. This issue has emerged prominently as the local high school’s team, known as the Chiefs, faces the possibility of a name change by the end of the year.
The Massapequa school district has contested the law by taking legal action against the state; however, a recent ruling by a federal judge did not favor the district’s position. In response to the situation, Trump expressed his support for retaining the “Chiefs” nickname in a post on Truth Social, labeling the proposed name change as “ridiculous.”
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Trump articulated his perspective, stating, “I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School… Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population.” He emphasized the community’s desire to preserve their identity, questioning the rationale behind the push to abandon a name that has been part of the school’s culture for so long.
In a further show of support, Massapequa School Board President Kerry Wachter voiced her sentiments about the name change, emphasizing that for the students, the Chiefs nickname is a fundamental part of their identity. She stated, “Changing the name doesn’t have any good effect on our kids. This is their identity; this is who they are — they are Chiefs.” Wachter also mentioned that the district has reached out to the Department of Education for assistance.
Echoing similar concerns, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s stance, stating, “She must have bad thoughts in her head — when I think of a chief, I think of a leader. When I think of a warrior, I think of somebody with bravery… We honor and celebrate our Native American heritage here on Long Island.”
The lawsuit filed by the school district in September claims that the Board of Regents has violated the First Amendment by imposing restrictions that prevent school officials from displaying “Chiefs” merchandise on school grounds and at events. Furthermore, school officials estimate that a rebranding could incur costs of approximately $1 million, in addition to the loss of the school’s longstanding identity.
The ongoing debate mirrors a broader conversation surrounding sports team names and logos associated with indigenous cultures. While some teams have made changes due to public pressure—such as the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians—others like the Chicago Blackhawks and Kansas City Chiefs have retained their names despite facing scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the local Little League recently celebrated a significant achievement by winning the Little League Softball World Series in 2022, further embedding sports and community pride within the identity of Massapequa.
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