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Walker Signs Mascot Bill
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | December 20, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker yesterday signed legislation (AB 297) into law as 2013 Wisconsin Act 115, making it harder to force schools to dump race-based mascots despite his personal support for moving away from nicknames that some find “seriously offensive.”
Walker has sent signals in recent days that he would sign the bill, which overhauls the process for challenging a race-based mascot or nickname. He said today he is concerned about the principle of free speech.
“If the state bans speech that is offensive to some, where does it stop?” Walker said in a release. “A person or persons’ right to speak does not end just because what they say or how they say it is offensive. Instead of trying to legislate free speech, a better alternative is to educate people about how certain phrases and symbols that are used as nicknames and mascots are offensive to many of our fellow citizens. I am willing to assist in that process.”
State Superintendent Tony Evers issued a statement expressing his disappointment with Walker’s action.
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