RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Three Virginia state lawmakers are forming a “Redskins Pride Caucus” to defend the Washington, D.C.-based football team that’s come under pressure to change its name.
Fairfax Democratic Sen. Chap Petersen, Manassas Republican Del. Jackson Miller and Loudon Republican Del. David Ramadan scheduled a news conference Monday at the Capitol to announce the caucus’ formation.
In a news release, the lawmakers said their caucus would support “commercial freedom” in Virginia and oppose what they call Congress’ “inappropriate involvement” in issues related to the Redskins.
Last month, 50 U.S. senators sent a letter to the NFL urging it to change the name. And the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled last week that the Redskins name is disparaging to Native Americans and that the team should be stripped of federal trademark protection.
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