Bernie Sanders opposes Washington Redskins’ name

Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders has come out against the Washington Redskins’ team name.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has come out against the Washington Redskins team name.

Speaking about “un-American tactics” at a campaign rally in Arizona, Sanders condemned a name that has been called offensive by many.

“Washington has a very good football team but it doesn’t have to be called the Redskins,” Sanders said.

He also vowed to address the inequality Native Americans face.

• Donald Trump doesn’t think Redskins should change name

In 2014, two members of Congress sent a letter to the NFL saying that the name was offensive. A poll that same year run by The Change the Mascot campaign determined that 83 percent of Americans would not use the term to a Native American’s face.

Critics of the name say it is a racial slur that denigrates Native Americans, while many defenders say that the name honors Native Americans. 

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has said he will never change the team’s name.

– Kenny Ducey