Judge calls Justice Department’s statements on slavery exhibit display ‘dangerous’ and ‘horrifying’
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge warned Justice Department lawyers on Friday that they were making “dangerous” and “appalling” statements when they said the Trump Administration could decide what part of American history goes on display at National Park Service sites.
Because of the suddenness of the incident, there was a bitter debate during the trial in Philadelphia. lifting One to display on the history of slavery at the site of the former President’s House on Independence Mall.
The city, which worked with the park service on the exhibit two decades ago, was stunned this month to see workers using crowbars to lift outdoor plaques, panels and other materials that tell the stories of the nine people enslaved there. Some of the history has only been uncovered in the past quarter century.
“Once you know history, you can’t erase it. It doesn’t work that way,” said Senior U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, an appointee of President George W. Bush.
The dismissal follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to “restore truth and sanity to American history” at museums, parks and landmarks across the country. In Philadelphia, the materials were put into a pickup truck and then into the warehouse; This led Rufe to express concern about whether they were damaged.
“While many people feel strongly about this in one way or another, other people may disagree or feel strongly in another way,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory in Den Berken.
“Eventually,” he said, “the government will choose the message it wants to convey.”
Rufe quickly interrupted him.
“This is a dangerous statement you are making. It is horrifying to listen to,” he said. “Does the manager change according to someone’s whim? I’m sorry, that’s not what we elected anyone for.”
Rufe took hours of testimony Friday from former city officials who helped plan the exhibit and said the city donated $1.5 million to the project. He plans to visit both the landfill and the site before deciding on the city’s request to restore the exhibit. But he asked Justice Department lawyers to make sure nothing else was disturbed.
In den Berken argued that the government cannot be forced to tell a particular story, noting that the Park Service routinely changes its exhibits and tours. But the city’s lawyers and other advocates said the park service does not have “carte blanche” to interpret the county’s history as it sees fit.
The exhibit includes biographical details about nine people enslaved by George and Martha Washington at the presidential mansion. Now only their names (Austin, Paris, Hercules, Christopher Sheels, Richmond, Giles, Oney Judge, Moll and Joe) are etched into the cement wall.
Michael Coard, an attorney who represents one of the advocacy groups supporting the exhibit, said the president is ignoring the power that Congress, the judiciary and the American people have.
“It’s one thing to whisper that kind of dictatorial authority. But sending lawyers into a public courtroom to make that claim is absolutely frightening,” he said. “I really worry about the state of America.”
Rufe stated that he plans to take control quickly and drew attention to the influx of visitors who will visit the birthplace of the country this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding.
Residents who visited the site shed tears, left flowers and a handmade sign that read “Slavery was real.”
