Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The Sierra Club praised news today that President Obama will designate new national monuments recognizing the country’s civil rights history. The Reconstruction Era, Freedom Riders, and Birmingham Civil Rights National Monuments highlight an important chapter in American history. President Obama will also expand the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument in Oregon and the California Coastal National Monument. The designations accompany a presidential memorandum to increase diversity and community outreach across land management agencies to help ensure our parks and public lands are more inclusive and welcoming to people from all walks of life.
In response Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:
“We welcome President Obama’s continued dedication to expanding our nation’s outdoor heritage and the history it tells. The new monuments are both recognition of the importance of these sites and assurance that they will remain as places of remembrance and inspiration.
“Public lands are the embodiment of our democracy. They belong to us all and are places where everyone should feel welcome. President Obama’s memorandum on diversity will help ensure these special places will better serve the diversity and interests of the public.
“We will continue to defend these great places -- both the history they represent, and the more inclusive future they offer. Dr. King famously noted that ‘what affects one directly affects all indirectly.’ We join in solidarity with all those working to continue the fight for civil and human rights.”
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