National Parks: Where History and Science Are Under Fire

Preserving History and Nature

In a bold move, groups focused on preserving nature and history have taken legal action against the Trump administration. They claim that recent policies are leading to the removal or alteration of key exhibits in national parks. These exhibits cover important topics like slavery, civil rights, and climate change.

The Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in Boston, points to orders from President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. These orders have reportedly led to the censorship of exhibits that share factual information about U.S. history and science. For example, the Stonewall National Monument in New York recently removed a rainbow Pride flag, which commemorates a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Executive Orders and Changes

The changes come after a Trump executive order aimed at "restoring truth and sanity to American history." This order directed the Interior Department to ensure that sites under its control do not display content that "inappropriately disparages" Americans. Burgum later instructed the removal of "improper partisan ideology" from public exhibits.

Intensified Campaign

The groups behind the lawsuit argue that a federal campaign to review interpretive materials has intensified. This has resulted in the removal of exhibits discussing slavery, civil rights, Indigenous peoples' treatment, and climate science. The coalition includes prominent organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Separate Case: Philadelphia Exhibit

In a separate case, a federal judge ordered the restoration of an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington. This exhibit was removed from Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The judge ruled that the exhibits must be restored while the lawsuit challenging their removal is ongoing.

Removal of Civil Rights Materials

The lawsuit also highlights the removal of materials describing key civil rights moments. For instance, about 80 items have been flagged for removal at the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama. Additionally, exhibits at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park in Kansas have been flagged because they mention "equity."

Interior Department's Appeal

The Interior Department has appealed the court's ruling in the Philadelphia case. They argue that the National Park Service routinely updates exhibits to ensure historical accuracy. The department claims that updated materials providing a fuller account of slavery's history were set to be installed.

Judge's Ruling

U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ruled that all materials from the Philadelphia exhibit must be restored. She prohibited Trump officials from installing replacements that explain the history differently. Rufe began her written order with a quote from George Orwell's "1984," comparing the Trump administration to the book's totalitarian regime.

Stonewall Flag Removal

The lawsuit over the Stonewall flag argues that its removal is part of a broader effort to target the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride flag, installed in 2022, was the first of its kind to fly permanently on federal land. The park service cited a memo that limits the display of flags to Interior and POW/MIA flags, with some exceptions.