06.24.16

Grijalva Applauds President Obama’s Designation of Stonewall Uprising to Honor LGBT Equality

Washington, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement today applauding President Obama for designating a new national monument at the historic site of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City to honor the broad movement for LGBT equality.

“One of President Obama’s greatest achievements has been his continued dedication to fight to protect our public lands and historical sites that have helped write our nation’s history. The new Stonewall National Monument will serve as a reminder of the historic strides our LGBT brothers and sisters made to fight for equal rights. For generations to come, people who visit the site will be reminded that all Americans are created equal and are free to love who they choose.

“Today’s designation is also a prime example of why it’s so important for current and future presidents to have the authority to designate national monuments on existing federal land. Our wide open spaces and our historic sites need just as much protection today as they did the day the Antiquities Act was signed into law in 110 years ago by President Roosevelt. It is a shame that House Republicans have continued to attack one of our nation’s most critical conservation tools that has helped diversify our monuments and protect some of our most popular national parks.”

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