Several members of the Kennedy family, one of the United States’ most famous political dynasties, filed on Tuesday to join a court case aimed at stopping US president Donald Trump from building a proposed triumphal arch in Washington, saying it would obstruct views and cast shadows over their relatives’ grave sites.
The 76m arch, shown in a rendering to include a flame held by a 60-foot gold winged female figure and flanked by gold flying eagles, would be situated across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial on a highway roundabout near the entrance to the Arlington National Cemetery.
A judge has already issued a temporary order blocking construction until November 19th as she considers whether to issue a preliminary injunction.
The arch “will permanently cast shadows over and damage historically significant sight lines to the existing grave sites and memorials established in the Kennedy family’s honour at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as to the memorials of hundreds of thousands of fallen American heroes,” the filing said.
The Kennedy family is one of the most prolific political dynasties in US history, notably including former president John F Kennedy. Trump’s health secretary is Robert F Kennedy Jr, nephew to the assassinated former president.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
[ Keith Duggan: Trump's hunger for monuments is reshaping WashingtonOpens in new window ]
The Trump administration contends Congress approved the arch more than 100 years ago when it also authorised construction of a bridge across the Potomac River. It has said that the arch would honour veterans.
Numerous Democrats in Congress have vowed to block construction once they take control in January, after winning November’s midterm elections. – Reuters
Source: The Irish Times · Costas Pitas
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