Washington nickname protesters hit FedEx Field

Following two years of protests at several away venues, opponents of the nickname of Washington’s NFL team brought their picket signs to FedEx Field in Landover on Sunday.

About 100 protesters assembled on property owned by the Jericho City of Praise church near the stadium, a number considerably less than organizers expected, according to The Washington Post.

Still, it represented the largest protest of the nickname ever to take place at a home game, according to the report.

Protesters held signs saying the name is racist and urged it be changed.

“We are people. Not your mascots,” the crowd chanted, according to the report.

Team owner Dan Snyder has consistently declined to change the name, saying it’s meant to honor Native Americans.

Police were on hand and caution tape was employed during Sunday’s protest, which turned heated but never physical. There was a lot of shouting between demonstrators and fans streaming into the stadium, according to the report.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled the team’s trademark registration in June after a Native American group petitioned the Trademark Trial and Appeal board arguing the nickname is disparaging. For a rundown of the year in nickname controversy, check out this piece from colleague Bob Niedt.

On the playing field Sunday, Washington’s season ended with 44-17 loss to the division champion Dallas Cowboys. Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III completed 27 of 41 passes for 336 yards and one touchdown pass. He threw two interceptions and ran for a score in the loss, which pushed the team’s record to 4-12 on the season.

Washington will have the fifth-overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

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