Education Dept Says NY School Violated Civil Rights by Dropping 'Thunderbirds' Mascot
Federal civil-rights officials concluded that Connetquot Central School District’s change from the “Thunderbirds” mascot to “T‑Birds” violated Title VI and offered a resolution agreement requiring the district to restore the “Thunderbirds” name, with Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey saying “equal treatment under the law is non‑negotiable.” The district says it is reviewing the OCR report but has not committed to the terms; OCR separately found New York’s statewide ban on Native American mascots violates federal civil‑rights law, a determination tied to broader litigation by groups such as NAGA (including the Massapequa “Chiefs” case) and prompting federal officials to threaten withholding funds unless bans are reversed.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) concluded Connetquot School District’s change of its mascot from “Thunderbirds” to “T‑Birds” violates Title VI and has offered a resolution agreement requiring the district to restore the “Thunderbirds” name.
- OCR Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said “equal treatment under the law is non‑negotiable,” framing the mascot change as a civil‑rights violation tied to national‑origin‑based mascots.
- Connetquot School District says it is reviewing the OCR report and has not publicly committed to accepting the resolution agreement’s terms.
- A separate OCR investigation found New York’s statewide ban on Native American mascots violates federal civil‑rights law, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon has threatened to withhold federal funds unless the ban is reversed.
- The Connetquot action is tied to broader litigation by the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), which is pursuing related cases (including Massapequa’s “Chiefs”) and has said it intends to take New York’s mascot ban to the U.S. Supreme Court.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that OCR has formally concluded Connetquot’s change from 'Thunderbirds' to 'T-Birds' violates Title VI and has offered the district a resolution agreement requiring it to restore the 'Thunderbirds' name.
- Quotes Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey saying 'equal treatment under the law is non-negotiable' and explicitly framing the change as a civil-rights violation tied to national-origin-based mascots.
- Notes that the district says it is reviewing the OCR report but has not yet publicly committed to accepting the resolution terms.
- Reiterates that a separate OCR investigation found New York’s statewide Native American mascot ban itself violates federal civil-rights law, and that Secretary Linda McMahon has threatened to pull federal funds unless the ban is reversed.
- Connects the Connetquot action to NAGA’s broader litigation strategy, including its Massapequa 'Chiefs' case and its stated plan to take New York’s mascot ban to the U.S. Supreme Court.