In a triumphant affirmation of American history and heritage, the National Park Service has wisely reversed its decision to remove the esteemed statue of Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn, from Philadelphia’s historical Welcome Park. This reversal, a victory for conservative values, comes after a significant public outcry defending our nation’s legacy.
Make no mistake: the Biden Administration tried to tear down a statue of William Penn as part of its toxic obsession with "equity."
They only stopped because they got caught. https://t.co/1pHEIqkmTM
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) January 9, 2024
Last Friday, the NPS initially announced plans to remove both the statue and a replica of Penn’s home from Welcome Park, located within the Independence National Historical Park, as part of a misguided attempt to “rehabilitate” the park for a “more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience.” This plan, seemingly part of a broader, politically motivated agenda, faced immediate and fierce resistance from the public, reinforcing the importance of preserving our historical figures and monuments.
In place of Penn’s statue, the NPS had proposed an exhibit paying tribute to American Indians, reflecting a revisionist view of history. The original plan, developed in collaboration with various Native American groups, sought to expand the park’s focus on indigenous history. However, this approach blatantly disregarded the significant contributions of William Penn, a historical figure who not only championed religious freedom and democracy but also respectfully engaged with native tribes.
Public consultation on these changes led to an overwhelming response, culminating in the NPS retracting their plans in light of the strong public sentiment. Critics of the original plan, including politicians and influential public figures, voiced their support for retaining the Penn statue. State Representative Martina White (R-PA) and others called for a solution that honors Penn’s legacy within the park’s renovation.
It started with Confederate statues.
Now they've arrived at William Penn.
It doesn't matter that he supported religious freedom, opposed slavery, and treated Native Americans with respect.
It was always about replacing the history of the United States.
— Michael Seifert (@realmichaelseif) January 8, 2024
The backlash was widespread, with comments from various quarters highlighting the broader issue of cultural erasure in America. Michael Seifert, a notable entrepreneur, pointed out the concerning trend of removing statues, emphasizing Penn’s positive historical contributions, which seem to be conveniently ignored by those pushing for ‘modernization’ at the expense of history.
Even Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, along with public figures like Elon Musk, acknowledged the importance of keeping the William Penn statue in its rightful place. This sentiment was echoed by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), who criticized the Biden Administration’s initial decision as part of a harmful obsession with ‘equity,’ only reversed due to public exposure and pressure.
“To correct this decision” @GovernorShapiro, the only reason why this decision was stopped is because the public got wind of it and became rightfully outraged.
If the public did not speak up, William Penn’s statue would’ve been cancelled just as Jefferson & Washington have
— Recover Republic 🐊☀️ (@RecoverRepub) January 8, 2024
William Penn, a visionary Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, stood for values that are fundamentally American: democracy, religious freedom, and fair treatment of all people, including native tribes. His statue not only commemorates his personal achievements but also serves as a symbol of the enduring principles upon which our great nation was built. The National Park Service’s decision to retain this iconic statue is a resounding victory for those who cherish American history and seek to protect our nation’s heritage from being rewritten.
