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Reports: Activist seeks to ban usage of Chief Wahoo, Cleveland Indians name in Toronto during ALCS

Posted at 8:39 PM, Oct 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-16 23:18:17-04

An indigenous activist and architect is seeking a court ruling that would ban the Cleveland Indians from wearing their jerseys, using their name and displaying Chief Wahoo while they play the Toronto Blue Jays this week during the American League Championship Series, according to the Globe and Mail.

Douglas Cardinal is an officer of the Order of Canada and said that the Chief Wahoo logo is offensive and discriminatory. 

Cardinal filed applications to the Ontario Superior Court, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Canadian Human Rights Commission. A hearing will be held Monday on the application of the superior court. 

Read the full story at the Globe and Mail

Indians fans are pushing back.

"Unbelievable," said Nina Ross, a Cleveland resident. "We're not standing for that."

"It's a long history of using that symbol, and everybody loves it," said Zachary Marich, a Cleveland resident.

"I don't think it's meant to be derogatory," said Brandon Hicks, a Cleveland resident.

But Cardinal isn't alone in his fight. The United Church of Christ and the United Church of Canada launched a similar campaign Friday, which includes the hashtag #notmymascot. They're asking other ministries to join in.

Indians officials told News 5 they have no comment on the matter. News 5 also reached out to Cardinal but did not receive a response.