The controversy over a southwest Michigan school district’s logo is ramping up, as the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan gets involved.

The ACLU on Monday filed a complaint with the US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, alleging that the Paw Paw Public Schools maintains a “racially hostile educational environment”. They cite information they obtained from the Freedom of Information Act regarding complaints made by students, including an incident where students allegedly placed a Hitler figurine and a swastika in the basket of another student’s hot air balloon science fair project, and more than one report of students using racial slurs directed at other students.

They also reference the fact that the Paw Paw district reaffirmed their use of the Redskins logo, which they describe as a racial slur.

The ACLU claims that this means the school district is in violation of Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act, and if this were found to be true the district could have federal funding pulled. However, they say in their release they want this complaint to result in a “voluntary resolution agreement”, as bigotry can be fought more effectively in a cooperative manner.

Fox 17 reports that the Paw Paw District says they have yet to receive any word from the Office of Civil Rights on whether this complaint will be investigated, but they say that they deny the allegations and will cooperate fully if an investigation does take place.

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