Philadelphia Sues Federal Government Over Removal of Slavery Exhibits

The City of Philadelphia has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service (NPS), alleging the unlawful removal of interpretive panels discussing slavery at the President's House Site within Independence National Historical Park. The city seeks to reinstate the exhibits, arguing the removal violated prior agreements and federal laws, while federal officials maintain the actions align with a presidential executive order.

Lawsuit Details

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the complaint names the NPS, the U.S. Department of Interior, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and NPS Acting Director Jessica Bowron as defendants. Philadelphia asserts that the removal of educational panels, including one specifically titled “The Dirty Business of Slavery,” occurred without prior notification and constituted “arbitrary and capricious” actions. Video footage aired by NBC Philadelphia depicted individuals using crowbars to remove the panels.

The city alleges that these actions violate federal congressional laws, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) of 1946—which mandates federal agencies to publish proposals and allow public comment regarding agency actions—and a 2006 cooperative agreement.

According to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, this agreement stipulated that parties must "meet and confer" before any exhibit modifications.

The city claims it holds an "equal right" under the 2006 agreement to approve the final design and, by extension, any alterations to the exhibit.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to reinstate the memorial, a preliminary injunction to prevent further changes, and a permanent injunction blocking additional modifications to the exhibit.

Site and Exhibit Background

The President's House site, which also served as a residence for President John Adams, was notably home to President George Washington and nine enslaved individuals he brought with him. In 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives recommended that the NPS acknowledge the enslaved people at the site. This recommendation led to the aforementioned 2006 cooperative agreement between the NPS and the city, culminating in the opening of an exhibit and memorial focusing on slavery in 2010.

Federal Government's Rationale

A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior stated that the exhibit's removal aligns with Executive Order No. 14253, signed by President Donald Trump in March. Titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," the order directs federal agencies, including the Interior Department, to review interpretive materials.

The order's stated aim is to ensure "accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values," while avoiding content that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living" and focusing on "the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people." The spokesperson also mentioned that the order seeks to eliminate "divisive, race-centered ideology" and narratives from federal cultural institutions and criticized the city's lawsuit. The National Park Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reactions from Other Parties

Various organizations and officials have commented on the removal:

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson described the removal as "an effort to whitewash American history," arguing that history should not be erased due to discomfort.

The National Parks Conservation Association characterized the dismantling as "an insult to the memory of the enslaved people who lived there and to their descendants" and a "dangerous precedent."

The Black Journey, a group conducting Black history tours in Philadelphia, expressed outrage, stating that the removal cannot erase the past and vowing to continue telling the full history.

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) and CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu also condemned the removal, emphasizing the importance of understanding all aspects of American history.

The American Historical Association has criticized the executive order itself, asserting that it misrepresents the work of historical institutions, whose goal, they state, is to understand the past rather than to criticize or celebrate it.

Previous Incidents

Earlier in February, prior to the executive order's signing, the National Park Service modified the webpage for Stonewall National Monument, removing references to transgender and queer people.