The Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution today asking the Washington football team to change its name.

Led by Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large), Council Chair Phil Mendelson and eight other members voted in favor of the resolution, with Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) voting “present.” Superdome supporter Vincent Orange (D-At Large) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) were absent.

“Yesterday the football team sent out a plea to its hardcore fans to reach out in opposition to the change,” Grosso told the Council. “I have received hundreds of emails and am happy to report that 50 percent of the emails I have received are in favor of this legislation. I have received hundreds of messages on my Facebook and Twitter pages with many in favor of the name change. We can clearly see from the continued traction that the issue is getting that changing this racist and derogatory name resonates with the people of the District of Columbia.”

He added that “although the current resolution is different from my initial resolution proposed in early May, it drives home that the ‘R-word’ is objectionable to many Americans who consider it to be racist and derogatory.” Some of the changes from Grosso’s original resolution from April and the version passed today include removing the phrase “rectify this ongoing insult.”

Grosso also called on the Washington Post to abstain from using the name: “I thank the media for stepping up although I think it would be a huge statement to [team owner Dan] Snyder if the Washington Post stopped using the name.” He also said he would not support the team coming back to D.C. while they have their current name.

The Oneida Indian Nation, the group leading the charge behind the Change the Name campaign, praised the vote in a release.

“With its unanimous vote today, the D.C. City Council has placed itself firmly on the side of those who believe there should be no place for institutionalized racism within the National Football League,” Oneida representative Ray Halbritter said. “This city Council resolution is yet another call for Washington’s team owner to do the right thing by halting the callous use of the R-word and moving the team in a positive direction away from its past legacy of racial bigotry.”