FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — A headdress worn during athletic events at a Maryland high school has been banned as dueling petitions gather signatures.
The Frederick News-Post reports Linganore High School Principal Nancy Doll confirmed Wednesday that the school will not allow the headdress to be worn by students as it has been in previous years following complaints about it being offensive to Native Americans.
Petitions for and against the ban have each garnered over 1,500 signatures. As of Thursday, the petition to bring the headdress back has amassed nearly 2,000 signatures, with most coming from community members and alumni.
Students vote for an incoming senior to become the "chief" of the student section, which is called "the tribe." The leader wears the headdress for football and basketball games.