Final answer:
It is true that Charlene Teters organized protests against the University of Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek. These efforts, beginning in the 1980s, eventually led to the mascot's retirement in 2007. However, there is no clear evidence that powerful alumni specifically joined her to remove the mascot through legal channels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Charlene Teters organized protests at the University of Illinois calling for the removal of the mascot "Chief Illiniwek" is true. Teters, a student at the university, began her activism in the 1980s. Her campaign highlighted the misrepresentation and stereotyping of Native cultures by such mascots, specifically criticizing aspects such as the headdress, regalia, and dance style used by Chief Illiniwek. Even though there was support from many fans and alumni who believed the mascot honored the Illiniwek people, the persistence of the campaign led to the eventual retirement of the mascot by the university in 2007. While the campaign had many supporters, it is not explicitly stated that powerful alumni organized with Teters to remove the mascot through legal channels in Illinois. It is important to note that the efforts against such mascots often span several years and involve various strategies, including raising public awareness, protesting, and sometimes legal action. Over the years, the opposition to racially insensitive mascots has also included collaborative approaches between tribes and universities, as seen with the University of Utah and the Ute tribe, and Florida State University's collaboration with the Seminole tribe.