Topline:
Entry to more than 200 participating California State Parks will be free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday.
Background: In December, the U.S. National Park Service eliminated free admission for MLK Day and Juneteenth — two of the country’s major civil rights holidays. Instead, Trump added his own birthday, June 14, to the list of free admission days.
What you need to know: Free entry is valid for one vehicle with no more than nine passengers. A full list of participating parks is here. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, pack out what they pack in when they leave, and follow ‘Leave No Trace’ principles to help protect park resources.
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Officials say: Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that the Trump administration is attempting to whitewash civil rights history.
“Dr. King taught us that ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that,’” Newsom said. “I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on MLK Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all.”
Who is covering the admission? In Newsom’s announcement, funding for free admission was made possible by the California State Parks Foundation –not taxpayer dollars.
Dig deeper … how else you can visit state parks for free.