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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

California school changes criticized Arab mascot

Associated Press

THERMAL, Calif. – A Southern California high school has changed its nickname from the Arabs to the Mighty Arabs and has adopted a logo with a nobler image, school officials announced Wednesday.

The Coachella Valley Unified School District governing board unanimously adopted the changes in a closed-session meeting Tuesday night after months of pressure from Arab-American anti-discrimination groups.

“Dealing with the mascot issue has gone worldwide,” superintendent Daryl Adams said. “I’m glad to see that coming to an end.”

Officials at Coachella Valley High School consulted with Arab-American groups in getting rid of the scowling, hook-nosed image in the old logo and adopting the more stoic face in the new one.

Abed Ayuoub of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said the group supports the new mascot and image.

The Arab mascot has existed since the 1920s.