Since the beginning of the school year, there have been heated debates at public meetings about the mascot. Those who wanted to keep it say it’s tradition and not malicious. Those who wanted to see it changed say it’s a racial slur.
Tensions remained high tonight, with at least two opponents of the name escorted out during public comment. The board threatened to recess the meeting if attendees didn’t remain civil.
There was a much larger police presence at tonight’s meeting than there was at previous public forums, with officers from the Van Buren Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police and tribal police on hand.