Native Americans backing LI Chiefs mascot vow to take case to US Supreme Court: Dumbest law of all time
A Native American group fighting for schools such as Massapequa High on Long Island to keep their indigenous mascots says it is prepared to take its case to the US Supreme Court.“We’re moving ahead full steam,” Native American Guardians Association lawyer Chap Petersen told The Post — calling New York’s ban on such mascots “the dumbest law of all time.“This is a case which begs for a determination by the US Supreme Court,” Petersen said.NAGA had its lawsuit against the New York State Board of Regents’ controversial 2023 prohibition dismissed in November but has recently filed an appeal with the second circuit court, vowing to continue its legal battle at all costs.“This is a racially discriminatory policy — it violates the 14th Amendment,” Peterson said, referring to the US Constitution protection that says, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”“It’s also a restriction on freedom of speech, which violates the First Amendment,” the lawyer said.“I would call on Governor Hochul to just step back and tell the Board of Regents to stand down.This is one of the stupidest policies.
It’s not benefiting anybody,” he said.Petersen added that, “No ruling in this case matters until we get to the US Supreme Court.“This Supreme Court has been so solid on this idea that there is no concept of good discrimination,” he said.“There’s no concept where white liberal people basically decide what’s good or what’s bad for certain groups of people and classify them in that respect.
That will not stand up with this supreme court.”NAGA, whose members joined US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon at Massapequa High School in May, had filed a request for a preliminary injunction against the regents board in court in the summer.Massapequa’s name is of Native American origin, as are those of several other areas on Long Island, thanks to the region’s ...