After multiple demonstrations at Redskins road games in 2013 never really generated much buzz, an effort to protest the team’s name in Minnesota on Thursday reportedly generated a crowd of hundreds.
According to the Associated Press, the throng rallied outside the Metrodome to call for the name of the visiting team to be changed. Organized by the American Indian Movement, protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, Little Red Sambo’s got to go.”
Former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura spoke at the event, and Minneapolis mayor R.T. Ryback said in a statement that the team name represents indigenous people.
“This name is wrong. It’s just plain wrong,” Ventura said.
Thursday’s developments show that the movement isn’t subsiding but spreading. The ongoing question will be whether the movement ever generates enough momentum to compel the league to push the Redskins to change the team name.