AUGUSTA – Today, 11 Maine state lawmakers signed a letter spearheaded by Rep. Gary Friedmann, D-Bar Harbor, condemning the recent removal of educational signs in Acadia National Park, as directed by Secretary Doug Burgum of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The removal of the signs follows the Trump Administration’s sweeping executive order aimed at “restoring truth and sanity to American history,” part of its widespread effort to deny climate science and erase parts of American history that it doesn’t like from public spaces across the country.
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the positive impact of the signage on the visitor experience and its role in protecting the land. The signs, located near some of the park’s most popular locations, provided visitors with scientifically relevant information about the effects of climate change on the local ecosystem and shared the history of the Wabanaki people.
“The removal of these signs doesn’t just increase the risk of damage to these precious natural resources – it also denies all visitors the opportunity to fully learn about the land that they are walking on; about its history, and about how climate change will impact it for future generations," the lawmakers wrote. "There should be nothing controversial about these signs. Their removal from the park is unfortunately another example of this administration's attempt to stifle science and whitewash our country’s history. It is beyond troubling.”
Friedman was elected in November to his first term in the Legislature. He is a member of the Taxation Committee and represents Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, Lamoine and Mount Desert.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Friedmann) | 305-965-2744