John,

Donald Trump and Republicans can’t rewrite history, but they’re trying their hardest to make sure nobody can learn the truth.

From a recent story:

“The National Park Service has taken down an exhibit at Muir Woods National Monument that aimed to tell a more complete history of the site… It’s the first confirmed removal of what the Donald Trump administration has referred to as “improper ideology.”

[The exhibit] highlighted previously untold narratives: the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples who stewarded the land for centuries, the role of colonial violence in their displacement, and the efforts by the California Club — a women’s organization — to save the forest in the early 20th century… The sign was removed in response to Secretarial Order 3431, a directive signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in January that instructs agencies to eliminate any sign that “disparages” the United States.”

As someone who was a writer for the National Park Service while in college, and a deep lover of Muir Woods, this is offensive to me, John.

Muir Woods, like our state, has a rich, diverse history. And not every moment of it is honorable or pretty. But we can’t grow from our past, and improve historical wrongs, if we deny its existence entirely. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If we can’t talk about the history of our parks, what’s next?

From a happier time in Muir Woods

This is an issue of our ability to express ourselves, this is an issue of our ability to seek truth, this is an affront to the values we’ve written into our Constitution.

As your governor, truth will never be banned, no matter how uncomfortable it is. And if that means I must defy our federal government and this administration for the benefit of Californians, I will.

Everything from our parks to our speech is sacred, and we need the right person to protect them. Chip in $3 today to help elect the fighter we need in this time to allow Californians to have control of California.

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Together,

Betty