I’m here at Savannah High School where I was pretty sure (incorrectly) that the meeting started at 6 p.m.

Anyway, a van from the Boys and Girls Club of the Kickapoo Tribe rolled up a few minutes ago with at least six people. SHS officials aren’t letting folks in the building yet https://twitter.com/andrewwegley/status/1282726326236061697

Immediately, two members of the Kickapoo tribe went to Savannah’s flag pole, and it looked like they were going to replace the American flag with a Kickapoo flag, but the flag pole was locked. Meeting hasn’t even started yet and it’s already interesting. Stay tuned for updates.

A Savannah official told me that after two hours, the board is going to limit speakers to those with “new information.” But until then, anyone who wants to will have a chance to speak.

Also, I’d say around 30% of those in attendance have a mask on. No enforcement of distancing.

The first five speakers here in Savannah have all been pro-changing the mascot, two of which are Native Americans with ties to the high school. And maybe 40% of this crowd has agreed with them, based entirely off who’s clapping after they speak.

After 11 speakers — all of whom were on the original agenda — we’re moving into random audience members who threw their names in a hat at the door. Still more than an hour away from the 9 p.m. cut off for public comment. Every single speaker has been pro-change so far.

Our 13th speaker of the night — a Savannah High School student — gave a speech about Savage Pride in sports. He’s a descendant of Native Americans, he said. Decidedly anti-change, and he gets the loudest applause of the night. So there’s that.

Our 14th speaker was Jeff Hovey, who started the petition to keep the mascot the way it is, just said that Savannah’s logo — the depiction of a man with face paint on and feathers in his long, dark hair — isn’t necessarily a Native American. First time I’ve heard that argument.

Our 16th speaker, a student named Noah, started his speach by addressing the cost, and is now arguing that no one has ever explained to him “how” the word “Savage” is offensive. Additionally, he cited a Savannah Reporter poll that says 61% of town likes the mascot.

More from Noah: He said that the school just got a brand new gym floor and uniforms with the name on it. He said taxpayers simply won’t pay for changes, which is accurate.

Savannah voters last month denied two tax levies for additional education funding.

I’m a few speakers behind now, but, a man named Eugene started his brief with impassioned speech with, “Everyone’s racist.” He said he could probably say something that each board member might find offensive. He didn’t provide examples, disappointing at least one reporter.

Our latest speaker, Cassie, a resident, implied she would work to vote out any board member who voted for a mascot change.

“This community is Savage,” she said. “... we will brutally fight” for our community.

A lotttt of applause after that one. Gol-lee.

A new speaker, Joy, argues that the 5,000-something signatures on the change dot org petition to change the mascot mean nothing because the petition is not registered with the state or county. But here we are, anyway, an hour and 23 minutes into a discussion about the mascot.

Our latest speaker — I didn’t catch her name — compared Savages to Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, and then asked if “Savages” was more or less offensive than a Bald Eagle. I can honestly say I’ve never considered that argument. Thought-provoking, for sure

Wow. Our 27th speaker, a woman named Diane, I think, said that a week ago she was all-for keeping the name. But she heard for a nearby district official that other schools will refuse to play Savannah if the name doesn’t change. She’s reconsidered. Not worth that cost, she says

Our 28th speaker, a veteran named Laurie Burns (i’m botching every spelling tonight for sure) begged the board to listen to every voice, not just a select few, which is the point of this meeting, I think.

The 31st speaker of the night just asked the board to make the potential name change a ballot initiative, allowing the community to decide. The 32nd speaker agreed. Strong push to allow the same taxpayers who just voted down two levies to make the calls for the district.

The 33rd and last speaker of the night shared a few anecdotes from former students embarrassed to be Savages. By my count, that’s 17 speakers pro-change, 12 speakers anti-change and 3 speakers somewhere in the middle. No decisions will be made tonight.

Most of the 300-or-so attendees have filed out of the gym as the regular business meeting gets underway. Waiting to talk to a few school board officials after the meeting. My bedtime is in 28 minutes but expect a story tonight, for sure. Thanks for reading. This has been fun

Filed the story on this around 1:30 this morning, should be online later today, but there are a few other notes & anecdotes I wanted to add to this thread, so I’ll do that. Also, I simply can’t get over the fact that a woman asked if Savage was more or less offensive than Eagles.