COMMUNITY VOICES: Trump Removes MLK Day & Juneteenth as Free National Park Dates, Adds His Birthday

December 8, 2025

The National Park Service announced that Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth would no longer be fee-free entry days at national parks in 2026, replacing them with June 14th, which coincides with both Flag Day and Donald Trump's birthday. The author argues this decision represents a discriminatory erasure of Black history and civil rights commemoration from national policy.

Who is affected

Black Americans and their families who lose symbolic recognition and practical free access opportunities
Marginalized communities who previously used MLK Day and Juneteenth as accessible entry points to national parks
All Americans who value civil rights history and equitable access to public lands
Families who cannot afford regular admission fees and relied on these specific free days

What action is being taken

The National Park Service is removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its 2026 fee-free days calendar and adding June 14th (Trump's birthday/Flag Day) as a replacement fee-free day.

Why it matters

This decision affects how America acknowledges its history through public institutions, particularly regarding civil rights, slavery, and emancipation. It removes both symbolic recognition and practical access for communities whose histories are tied to these commemorations. The change transforms public lands from shared heritage spaces into platforms for individual political glorification, undermining the principle that national parks belong equally to all Americans and should reflect the nation's full historical narrative.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle