Newsom signs Ramos bill banning use of slur against Native women as name for California public lands, landmarks, geographic locations
SACRAMENTO—Gov. Newsom today signed a proposal to prohibit the use of the word “squaw” (S-word) for geographic features and place names in California by January 1, 2024. The measure, AB 2022, was introduced by Assemblymembers James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first California Native American elected to the state legislature and Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. AB 2022 was part of a five-bill Ramos tribal package sent to Newsom and which he has approved.