WASHINGTON (RTW) — The National Park Service has announced a new policy allowing free admissions for U.S. residents on June 14, which is also Donald Trump’s birthday, while eliminating free access on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.
This updated schedule of free admission days has sparked concerns regarding the erasure of America’s civil rights history from national recognition. Critics argue that promoting Trump in this way further devalues significant milestones marking the struggles for Black Americans' rights.
Previous free admission days included Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, marking important events in the civil rights movement. The changes will be effective starting January 1, reflecting broader trends seen during Trump’s administration that have been criticized for downplaying diversity and civil rights.
Alongside the adjustment of free admission days, the National Park Service also announced higher fees for international visitors, another move expected to increase costs for those seeking access to national parks.
Kent Brengel, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, highlighted the impact on community engagements typically conducted on MLK Day, stating that it has been a popular occasion for service projects in parks.
Some lawmakers and civil rights leaders quickly condemned the changes. Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto deemed the exclusion of these two holidays an affront to civil rights, arguing that America needs to acknowledge its history rather than suppress it.
The rationale behind the current administration’s approach was not immediately provided by officials, but historical patterns indicate a trend towards diminishing recognition of significant events tied to Black history.
As reactions continue to unfold, the debate over this new policy underscores a larger conversation about representation and commemoration in national narratives.
