A Florida high school band was performing at Disney. Then there was a mascot controversy

A Florida high school band has pulled out of a Walt Disney World parade this month because the attraction has banned its mascot.

The nickname of Venice High, in Sarasota County, is the Indians. And Disney didn’t want any part of that.

The school refused to change its identity — and the Marching Indians marched away from the Nov. 12 performance.

Disney notified principal Zoltan Kerestely of the policy change: The band either had to change its name or cover the school’s mascot because it depicts a Native American.

Disney changed its policy in March after a video of a Texas high school dance team’s performance got backlash on social media. The Port Neches-Groves High School team, known as the Indianettes, chanted “Scalp ‘em, Indians, scalp ‘em” during their routine on Main Street, U.S.A.

The policy follows professional sports teams dropping their Indian mascots and nicknames, including the Washington Redskins, now the Commanders, and the Cleveland Indians, now the Guardians.

But many high schools, including Venice High, have stuck to their traditions.

Throughout 2022, Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have been at odds after the company’s executives condemned the Parental Rights in Education Act, most commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay bill.” The feud has deepened, with the governor punishing the company for being “woke.”

As of Friday afternoon, Disney hadn’t responded to the Miami Herald’s request for comment.

Kerestely, the Venice High principal, said he contacted Disney twice and asked the attraction to reconsider, even sharing anecdotes about how the performers are great musicians and ambassadors to the school.

But Disney didn’t budge. The band, which has been recognized by the Florida Bandmasters Association, will still enjoy a day in the park on Nov. 12.

After consulting with the district, Kerestely said he couldn’t approve a performance that required the covering or altering of the school logo.

“Our band deserves to be honored and celebrated without having to change our name or cover our identity,” Kerestely said in a letter to parents.

Sarasota School Board Chair Jane Goodwin told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that there should be more discussions about the future of the school’s mascot and expressed her sorrow for the musicians.

“I’m disappointed that they don’t get to go because they have really improved a lot,” Goodwin told the news site. “They are on a trajectory to do some great things, so I’m concerned and sad that they’re not going.”