Free access to national parks was eliminated by President Donald Trump on Martin Luther King Jr. Day which falls on January 19. However, during this upcoming holiday, California's state parks will be providing free access to over 200 of them.
Money raised through private donors
According to California Governor Gavin Newsom who held a press conference in San Francisco on Friday, the money used to cover the costs of allowing free access to these vehicle-parked park spaces was raised through private donors.
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This funding comes through an organisation called the California State Parks Foundation, which serves as a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting California’s parks, according to a statement from the office of the Governor.
In the statement, Newsom's office stated, "While Trump works to erase Dr King's legacy, California will honor it."
Where can visitors go on Monday?
On Monday, people can get into California State Parks for free if they are driving a vehicle that carries not more than nine people. A list of these parks can be found on the California State Parks website.
However, there will still be some parks charging fees on this day, including parks that have off-highway vehicle areas, parks charging per person for entry, parks operated by partner organisation systems and parks providing guided tours such as Hearst Castle.
Not the first time Trump has cancelled free entry days
This announcement by the California Governor comes just weeks after the National Park Service announced in November that it would no longer offer free admission to national parks on MLK Day or on Juneteenth. The announcement also included a new plan to establish two fee-free days at national parks, Independence Day weekend and Flag Day, which is also the birthday of President Donald Trump.
Newsom characterised California's decision as a countermeasure against what he perceives as a systematic attempt by the Trump administration to erase the history of civil rights in America by "whitewashing civil rights history".
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"MLK Day (has) now been shifted to Trump Day. Again, what more evidence do we need on what the hell is going on the United States of America?" Newsom said during Friday's press conference.
NAACP criticises Trump's move
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) also condemned Trump's decision and said that it was an attempt to erase the legacy of Dr King. NAACP advocates and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America.
"Removing MLK Day and Juneteenth from the national parks calendar is more than petty politics — it's an attack on the truth of this nation's history," it said in a statement.
"It's an attempt to erase the legacy of Dr King, minimise the story of emancipation, and sideline the communities that have fought for generations to make America live up to its promise. We will not stand by while this Administration tries to turn public spaces into instruments of division."
