National Parks Axe MLK, Juneteenth Free Days: Equity Advocates Slam 'Woke Purge'
Trump admin drops holidays from 2026 waiver list, citing $5M revenue boost amid backlash.
Washington, D.C. – December 8, 2025 – The Interior Department removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from national parks' fee-free days for 2026, officials announced in a Federal Register notice Sunday. The change, affecting 63 sites like Grand Canyon, aims to reclaim $5 million in entry fees but faces swift condemnation from civil rights groups as an erasure of Black history milestones.
What Happened: The Notice Drops
The Friday filing retains nine days like National Public Lands Day but excises the two added under Biden in 2021. According to department memos, it prioritizes "fiscally neutral observances." No comment period, sparking procedural gripes from environmental lawyers.
Parks logged 1.5 million extra visits on those days in 2025.
Official Statements: Savings vs. Symbolism
Interior's Doug Burgum: "Equal access through balanced budgets," per release. "All holidays matter equally."
NAACP's Derrick Johnson: "This is deliberate diminishment," in a presser. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) called for reversal hearings.
Why This Matters: Access Barriers Rise
Free days increased diversity by 35%, per NPS stats, aiding low-income families facing $35 vehicle fees. Dropping them could cut minority visits 20%, exacerbating urban-rural divides.
It signals cultural policy wars, echoing school book bans.
Background: From Expansion to Retrench
Biden's additions honored racial justice; Trump's 2024 pledge targeted "woke excesses." NPS free program since 2013 balances revenue ($150M yearly) with inclusion.
2025 visits hit 342 million, straining ops.
Current Situation: Signage Swaps and Suits
Parks update portals Monday; EBT waivers persist. A coalition sues Tuesday over APA violations.
No visitor dips yet.
Public Response: Protests Brew Online
#KeepMLKFree trended, 350K posts with park selfies. Conservative cheers: "End giveaways." Atlanta's MLK site fears tourism hit.
Expert Analysis: Tourism's Tangled Web
NPS historian: "Symbols shape visits." Econ models predict 8% revenue gain but 12% diversity loss.
Conclusion: Parks at a Cultural Crossroads
Axing MLK, Juneteenth fees tests inclusivity's cost. As gates tighten, America's outdoors ponders welcome for all.
