Jewish legislators issue statement on Holocaust Memorial Day and removal of slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus January 27, 2026 | 4:08 PM
After the Trump administration removed a memorial honoring nine people enslaved by President George Washington from Independence National Historical Park, state Reps. Jared Solomon and Ben Waxman and Philadelphia Councilmember Rue Landau released the following statement on the consequences of erasing history:
“Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment of reflection for those who perished at the hands of the fascist Nazi regime. Whether religiously observant or culturally Jewish, many of us have spoken with our parents, grandparents, and other relatives about the horrors of the Holocaust. Some of us had grandparents who served in the military, others are descendants of survivors, and others were simply urged to listen to these stories and were implored to ‘Never Forget.’
“Sadly, many of us know what it feels like to have our history erased. We’ve heard the conspiracies and witnessed people in power question the veracity of documented, firsthand accounts. Even more troubling, some have forgotten -- or worse, try to glorify -- the Nazi leaders, who embodied true evil.
“That is how we felt -- and we can only imagine how the Black community felt -- when the National Park Service, at the direction of the Trump administration, removed a slavery memorial from the President’s Home exhibit at Independence National Historical Park, which honored the nine people enslaved in George Washington’s household.
“This year, America celebrates its 250th birthday. It’s time to confront our past, engage with our present, and chart a new course for our future. The American story cannot be told without the Black experience—each shapes and informs the other in an ongoing dialogue about what it truly means to be American.
“Many of the Founding Fathers owned slaves, yet they also issued a clarion call for freedoms and liberties that generations have fought to preserve. Ignoring the unforgivable parts, however, denies their humanity -- warts and all -- and overlooks the ways in which they fell short of the very virtues they envisioned for a free world.
“The commitment to slavery by many of our Founders must be made visible for all to see. We must confront it and recognize that we are part of this history. We should never hide from America’s past; instead, we should face it with clear eyes, acknowledge it, wrestle with it, and use it to reshape ourselves in pursuit of that ‘more perfect union.’
“The long road to a ‘more perfect union’ began with the enslaved Black people and continued through many milestones, including the Civil Rights movement. This is the essence of America: freedom, citizenship, and ideals we continually strive to perfect. To fear these conversations is to deny our roots -- roots born of determination and the courage to wrestle with our highest ideals.”