Friend –

In a shocking act of disrespect, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors has refused to take up a vote to change the name of "Squaw Valley," despite resounding calls from their community to do so.

"Sq**w" is a deeply offensive term that epitomizes the racism and sexism Native American women face. It has no place in our vocabulary, much less as the name for a community.

Throughout the country, governments, schools, and sports teams are reckoning with this truth – and taking necessary steps to end the harm inflicted by names like "Sq**w." And yet, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is brazenly bucking this trend.

ACLU Supporter, support Native American community members in Fresno County by signing the petition, voicing your support to change the racist name "Sq**w Valley."

Our towns and landmarks should only be named after leaders and heroes who deserve to be honored and celebrated. Keeping the name "Sq**w Valley," as the Board of Supervisors wishes to do, suggests that the continued violence against Indigenous women is something worth celebrating.

We won't stand for it, and we hope you won't either.

In solidarity,

Tedde Simon (Navajo),
Indigenous Justice Advocate, ACLU of Northern California