On Tuesday, President Joe Biden used his authority under the Antiquities Act to sign a proclamation designating the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. The gruesome murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi in 1955 shocked the nation and helped catalyze the modern civil rights movement—in part due to the insistence of Mamie Till-Mobley, Emmett Till’s mother, that the injustice and violence of her son’s death be publicized.
The monument will be managed by the National Park Service and will include three locations: Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago where Emmett Till’s funeral was held; Graball Landing in Mississippi, believed to be where Till’s mutilated body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River; and the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Till’s murderers were tried and acquitted by an all-white jury.
“The establishment of this monument helps to tell a more inclusive narrative about what it means to be an American,” said Center for Western Priorities Director of Campaigns Lauren Bogard in a statement. “Thank you, President Biden, for elevating the stories of Black, Latino, and Indigenous Americans through the creation of new national monuments.”
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Quote of the day
At a time when there are those who seek to ban books, bury history, we’re making it clear. Crystal, crystal clear. While darkness and nihilism can hide much, they erase nothing.”
Picture this
Monsoon season is here! Smell the rain-soaked dirt, watch plants and flowers come back to life and observe just how much these crucial rains change the landscape.
If you are planning a trip during monsoon season, knowing how to prepare and what to look for is important for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Here are some tips to keep you safe from flash floods:
💧 Become familiar with your surroundings
💧 Have a plan. Where’s the nearest high ground?
💧 Check the weather forecast
💧 Stop by the visitor center for up-to-date info
💧 Watch for changing weather and a buildup of clouds
Photo at @coronado_nps by park volunteer Ron Stewart
#publiclands #planlikeaparkranger #recreateresponsibly
Alt Text: A monsoon sunset with dark gray clouds and dark pouring rain..
(featured image: President Joe Biden signs a proclamation designating Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. @POTUS via Twitter)