Native American group says it will sue Cleveland Indians

A Native American group called People Not Mascots is planning to file a federal lawsuit in late July against the Cleveland Indians for $9 billion in damages.

‘We’re basing it on a hundred years of disparity, racism, exploitation and profiteering,” Robert Roche, the group’s leader, told CBS News’ Cleveland affiliate.

Roche said that the lawsuit that his group is filing will target the team’s name, logo and mascot.

“It’s been offensive since Day One,” said Roche. “We are not mascots. My children are not mascots. We are people.”

The Washington Redskins faced similar scrutiny for their team name. On June 18, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office deemed the name “disparaging of Native Americans” and stripped them of trademark protection.