Large Portion of One Denomination Votes to Urge Its Churches to Boycott Washington Redskins

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

NEWARK, Del. (AP) — A major sector of the United Church of Christ is calling for a boycott of the Washington Redskins until the team changes its name.

The Central Atlantic Conference passed a resolution Saturday to become the latest organization to denounce a name that has frequently been condemned as a racial slur.

In this Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012 file photo, Zena "Chief Z" Williams, unofficial mascot of the Washington Redskins, signs autographs during fan appreciation day at the Redskins' NFL football training camp at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. (Image source: AP/Alex Brandon, File)

The conference said it will urge its 40,000 members in D.C., New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and parts of Virginia and West Virginia to boycott the team's games and merchandise.

Conference minister Rev. John Deckenback said changing the name won't solve the problems of Native Americans, but it "can send a strong message."

Native Americans protest before the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins game on November 7, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Image source: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

There has been increasing pressure over the last year for the Redskins to change the name. Team owner Dan Snyder has vowed he will never do so.