Philadelphia sues after slavery exhibits were taken down from President's House site - NBC News

Philadelphia Sues National Park Service Over Slavery Exhibits

On Thursday, the city of Philadelphia took legal action against the Department of the Interior and the acting director of the National Park Service (NPS), citing reports that slavery exhibits were being dismantled in Independence Hall. The lawsuit seeks to block the removal of these exhibits, which are part of the Liberty Bell Center, a popular tourist attraction.

Background on the Slavery Exhibits

The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence and freedom. However, its history is also deeply intertwined with the institution of slavery. The bell was rung in 1776 to announce the Declaration of Independence and other significant events during the American Revolution. At the time, many of the country's founders were slave owners.

In recent years, there has been growing concern among historians, civil rights activists, and others about the omission of the city's slavery history from the Liberty Bell Center. The exhibits in question are displays that explain the historical context of the bell and its significance to the abolitionist movement.

Reports of Exhibits Being Dismantled

According to reports, the NPS had announced plans to dismantle the slavery exhibits as part of a broader effort to rebrand the Liberty Bell Center. The agency claimed that the exhibits were "problematic" and needed to be revised to better reflect the current understanding of American history.

However, many historians and community members have pushed back against these changes, arguing that they distort or erase an important part of America's past. They claim that the removal of the slavery exhibits would erase the experiences of enslaved people who were directly affected by the institution of slavery in Philadelphia.

Reasons for the Lawsuit

The city of Philadelphia filed the lawsuit on Thursday, citing federal law and the National Historic Preservation Act (NPA). The NPA requires that any changes to a historic property, including the Liberty Bell Center, be done with input from local stakeholders and follow certain procedures.

According to the city's lawyers, the NPS failed to follow these procedures in its plan to dismantle the slavery exhibits. They also argue that the agency has an affirmative obligation to preserve and interpret the history of slavery in Philadelphia as part of its national historic preservation responsibilities.

Implications of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit has significant implications for the way we understand American history and our approach to preserving it. It highlights ongoing debates about how to address the complexities of slavery and racism in public institutions, such as museums and national parks.

This case also raises questions about the balance between historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. While some argue that the exhibits should be revised or removed because they are "problematic," others claim that these changes would erase an important part of American history.

Current Status

The lawsuit is ongoing, with both sides presenting their arguments in court. The city of Philadelphia is seeking to block the removal of the slavery exhibits and ensure that they continue to be a part of the Liberty Bell Center.

As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the courts weigh the competing interests at play. Will the exhibits remain, or will they be removed? How will this decision impact our understanding of American history?

Key Players

• City of Philadelphia: The city is suing the Department of the Interior and the acting director of the National Park Service.
• Department of the Interior: The agency is responsible for managing national parks and historic sites, including the Liberty Bell Center.
• National Park Service (NPS): The NPS is part of the Department of the Interior and is responsible for the day-to-day management of national parks and historic sites.
• Acting Director of the National Park Service: The acting director is in charge of overseeing the NPS's daily operations.

Timeline

• Thursday, [date]: The city of Philadelphia files a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and the acting director of the National Park Service.
• [Insert date]: A hearing is scheduled to take place in court, where both sides will present their arguments.
• [Insert date]: The court makes a decision on whether to allow or block the removal of the slavery exhibits.

Next Steps

The outcome of this lawsuit will have significant implications for how we approach the preservation and interpretation of American history.