PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The city of Philadelphia is seeking a preliminary injunction to restore interpretive panels at the President’s House, arguing it has a legal right to be involved in decisions about the historic site.
In court Friday, attorneys for the federal government countered that they control the property and acted within their authority.
The lawsuit centers on the Trump administration’s removal of panels that told the stories of nine people enslaved by President George Washington at the site. City officials say the administration lacked the authority to take them down.
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According to the city’s complaint, the panels were removed under an executive order directing the elimination of displays considered “disparaging” of America’s history.
People visit the President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation exhibit in the historic district of Philadelphia, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010.
(AP Photo)
Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett Harley said the case carries deep significance for Philadelphia.
“I’m actually here because this case matters. It matters to us tremendously, it matters to the city, and it matters to the people in the city because our history must live on,” she said.
Three witnesses testified for the city, including two people who served as chief of staff under former mayors Michael Nutter and John Street.
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Philly sues over removal of slavery exhibits at President’s House
The city argues that the removal violated a 2006 cooperative agreement requiring collaboration between the city and the federal government on any changes to the site. Government attorneys responded that the agreement expired in 2010.
“Ultimately, the National Park Service is the decision maker when it comes to what it displays and places on its property,” a government lawyer said in court.
City officials also argued that Philadelphia invested millions of dollars into the site and that removing the panels causes “irreparable harm.”
City Solicitor Renée Garcia said the city wants the panels restored and fears additional changes may be coming.
“I want to be very clear that we want those panels back up, but we also do not want anything else to come down,” she said. “As you saw in the declaration, that the United States before, they were planning on taking more down.”
Government attorneys argued the case belongs in a court of federal claims and maintained that the Trump administration has the right to change displays at national parks.
The judge pushed back, saying such a position “creates a dangerous precedent.”
“It’s frightening to think that the citizenry would not be involved in such an important change,” the judge said.
The hearing ended with tense exchanges as the judge pressed government attorneys to confirm that no further changes to the President’s House are planned.
She said that if they cannot provide that assurance, she will issue an order preventing additional removals until she rules on the injunction.
A decision could come early next week.
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