Online Petition Calls For 'Eskimo Joe's' To Change Its Name, Sparks Counter Protests

A petition is calling for Stillwater's Eskimo Joe's restaurant to change its name and remove the mascot.

The petition on Change.org states "Eskimo Joe's has been a beloved but racially insensitive Oklahoma brand since it was established in Stillwater in 1975."

It also said minorities should not be used as "as caricatures or used as mascots" and the petition claims that "these depictions parallel the racist ads, mascots, and cartoons of Native Americans, Asians, and Africans."

The petition goes on to state that they are not asking for the restaurants, Eskimo Joe's and Mexico Joe's, to be done away with, but for them to be re-branded without the imagery of the restaurants' current mascots.

Stan Clark, the founder and CEO of Eskimo Joe’s, released the following statement in response to concerns regarding the restaurant’s branding.

“Everything we do is steeped in the tradition of unbeatable guest service, and we are always happy to hear feedback from our customers and our community,” Clark said. “We are taking a close look at the opinions some people have expressed and are evaluating the path forward for our company and our brand.”

There are also counter petitions in place for Eskimo Joe's to keep its name and mascot. One petition against the name change on Change.org states "Eskimo Joe's (1975) and Mexico Joe's (1987) have been a tradition in Stillwater, Oklahoma for many years. Now, there are people trying to change everything...These restaurants are far from racist and offensive."

Eskimo Joe's also posted on Facebook asking for feedback from the community and said " all views into consideration and evaluating the best path forward for our company."

To read the full Change.org petition for the name change, click here.

To read the full counter petition against the name change on Change.org, click here, and here for the second one.