Twin Valley School District Sued Over Anti-Raider Mascot Club

PHILADELPHIA —The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Twin Valley School District of violating students' First Amendment rights by barring them from starting a school club pushing to get rid of the Raider mascot.

A parent, Janelle Wolfe, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court here on behalf of her daughter, Sloan, who spearheaded the plan to start the club.

The lawsuit asks the court to allow the students to form the club. The district has 3,071 students.

The district consists of Honey Brook and Elverson boroughs, Honey Brook and West Nantmeal Townships in Chester County, and New Morgan Borough, and Caernarvon and Robeson townships in Berks County.

The students believe that the “Raider” mascot is based on its stereotypical depiction of North American indigenous people.

Dr. Patrick T. Winters, superintendent, said the school district denies any wrongdoing and encourages all its students to exercise their rights.

“The district is evaluating strategies for fighting these claims. We look forward to our day in court,” he said.

The lawsuit claims that official school clubs are allowed to meet during the school day, be featured on the school district’s website, and post flyers in school hallways.

In 2021, Radnor School District dropped the Raider name as its mascot out of respect for Native American people. The district's mascot is now the Raptors.

A hearing date has not yet been scheduled for the federal lawsuit. The lawsuit is available here.