After backlash, feds reverse plan to remove William Penn statue in Philly

[KARAH RUCKER]
THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS WALKING BACK ITS PLAN TO REMOVE A STATUE OF WILLIAM PENN.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN WAS TO REVITALIZE THE PHILADELPHIA PARK AND MAKE IT MORE “WELCOMING, ACCURATE, AND INCLUSIVE” FOR VISITORS.

THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY PLANNED TO EXPAND ITS NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND REHABILITATE THE PARK THAT IS **LOCATED AT THE HISTORICAL FIGURE’S FORMER HOME.

HERE’S A QUICK HISTORY LESSON.

WILLIAM PENN IS KNOWN AS THE FOUNDER OF PENNSYLVANIA –

A STATE RICH IN EARLY U.S. HISTORY.

WAY BEFORE THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION WAS ENSHRINED IN ANY DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE –

PENN DREAMT OF A COLONY WHERE QUAKERS – ALONG WITH ALL KINDS OF CHRISTIANS – COULD COME TOGETHER AND WORSHIP FREELY.

DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES SERVED AS INSPIRATION FOR THE CONSTITUTION.

IT’S THIS STATUE OF PENN THAT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PLANNED TO REMOVE AT “WELCOME PARK.”

A PARK – DEDICATED TO PENN – AND NAMED AFTER THE SHIP PENN TOOK TO PHILADELPHIA.

THE PARK SERVICE SAYS THE PROPOSAL TO REHABILITATE THE PARK WAS RELEASED “PREMATURELY.” AND DID NOT GET A COMPLETE “INTERNAL AGENCY REVIEW” BEFORE ITS RELEASE.

THE IDEA OF A PENN STATUE BEING REMOVED RECEIVED BIPARTISAN BACKLASH.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO SAID HE WAS IN TOUCH WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION “TO CORRECT THE DECISION.”

OTHER STATUES AROUND THE COUNTRY –

HAVE TOPPLED IN A RECENT MOVEMENT TO REMOVE CERTAIN HISTORICAL FIGURES WHO HAD TIES TO SLAVERY OR THE CONFEDERACY DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SAYS THEY STILL PLAN TO REVITALIZE “WELCOME PARK.” BUT WILL DRAW UP A NEW PLAN –

THIS TIME LEAVING THE PENN STATUE IN PLACE.

As for the statue of william penn that overlooks philadelphia atop CITY HALL – there are no plans to tamper with the historic guardian.