Washington State is named after President George Washington, who enslaved hundreds of people.

Rhode Island is making changes: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/24/rhode-island-official-name-change-governor-slavery 

Mississippi is making changes: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/27/politics/mississippi-confederate-flag-vote/index.html 

So can we. Let's change the name & flag of Washington State. 

For anyone wanting to read more about this part of George Washington's life: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/george-and-martha-washington-enslaved-300-people-lets-start-with-their-names/2020/06/26/d3f7c362-b7e7-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html%3foutputType=amp

Active on instagram? Follow us here: @namechangeproject_wa

Petition background: I'm from Washington State and am a social worker. I didn't think much about the name of our state growing up, just that it was weird we were the only state named after a person. Last summer, my partner visited my family in WA for the first time, and struggled constantly facing the image and name of someone who enslaved hundreds of people. Unlike mine, his ancestors were enslaved in this country.

I realize changing the name may seem expensive, over-the-top and unnecessary to some. Folks have reminded me that George Washington spoke out against slavery and even freed his slaves a year after he died. Others have pointed out that many people enslaved others during their lifetime, and questioned the fairness of judging a person solely on the basis of their wrongdoings. 

In my mind, naming a state after someone or something celebrates that legacy. As my partner so eloquently put it - "slavery isn't cool" and we shouldn't celebrate those who participated in it. 

Thank you to all who have taken the time to read, sign and/or share this petition!