Oppose Removal of MLK Day and Juneteenth from National Park Free-Entry Days

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the National Park Service's decision to remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its free-entry days for 2026 while adding President Trump's birthday on June 14. This change represents a troubling erasure of days that honor the struggle for civil rights and the end of slavery in America. Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years and commemorates the final end of slavery in Confederate states after the Civil War. It was federally recognized in 2021, reflecting bipartisan acknowledgment of its historical significance. Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors a leader whose work transformed our nation and expanded access to opportunity for millions of Americans. Removing these days from the free-entry calendar sends a message about whose history and contributions we value as a nation. The justification that this change is designed to "allow more Americans to visit national parks" and cut back on DEI policies is deeply concerning. Our national parks belong to all Americans, and the days we choose to celebrate with free admission reflect our shared values and history. There is no legitimate reason why honoring the end of slavery or the civil rights movement conflicts with park access or fiscal responsibility. The decision to replace these historically significant days with a sitting president's birthday is unprecedented and inappropriate. National parks should remain spaces that unite rather than divide us, celebrating the full breadth of American history including the painful chapters and hard-won progress toward equality. I urge you to publicly oppose this policy change and work to restore MLK Day and Juneteenth as free-entry days at our national parks. These days honor fundamental American values of freedom and equality that transcend political divisions. Our national parks should reflect the diverse history and heritage of all Americans, not erase the contributions and struggles of Black Americans from our national commemoration.