The Michigan Department of Civil Rights defended its complaint against the use of Indian mascots.

The department filed the complaint with the Department of Education on February 8. It calls for the elimination of Indian mascots and imagery in public schools in Michigan.

"Our complaint argues that the question isn't whether or not they are offensive," Leslee Fritz, the department's public affairs director, said in the chat on MLive. "Even when they are intended to honor and respect history, they cause harm. That harm to some students in the classroom is the problem.

The complaint lists 35 schools with Indian mascots and imagery.

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