PAW PAW, MI (WTVB) – Hundreds turned out Wednesday night in Paw Paw for a second public hearing on whether or not the school district should keep the Redskin nickname.
Marshall went through the same debate several years ago before eventually changing their nickname to Red Hawks.
Tensions were high during Wednesdays meeting in Paw Paw. It broke up when some in the crowd began to shout obscenities.
Before things fell apart, school board members saw presentations on both sides of the issue and took public comment.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi council member and former Michigan Civil Rights Commission director Matthew Wesaw called on the board to “not cower to the propaganda, but to recognize the research” and change the nickname.
Native Americans Guardians Association executive director Andre Billeaudeux told the board to keep the Redskins moniker, saying it’s not offensive.
A decision by the school board is expected February 8, 2017.
