The family of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy has joined a lawsuit aimed at blocking President Donald Trump’s plan to build a triumphal arch in Washington, along the Potomac, the BBC reported Wednesday.
The Kennedy family filed a complaint as part of a joint lawsuit brought by the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia to stop construction. The plaintiffs argue that the arch would block the view of Kennedy’s grave, as well as the graves of thousands of veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Among the plaintiffs are seven children of Robert (John’s brother) and Ethel Kennedy, their grandson Joe Kennedy, a former Democratic congressman, and Edward Kennedy Jr., son of Ted Kennedy (the brother of John and Robert). Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of Trump’s Cabinet who runs the health department, did not join the suit.
The White House said it was “regrettable” that some members of the Kennedy family had joined a lawsuit against an arch meant to “unite the nation.”
John F. Kennedy, also known as JFK, was president of the United States from 1961 to 1963. He was killed in an assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.
On Thursday, a federal court temporarily blocked work on the arch from beginning. Trump has said the structure, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is meant to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which is being marked this year, and to honor American history and the service of soldiers.
According to the plans, the structure would stand 76 meters (about 250 feet) tall and be topped by a golden Statue of Liberty guarded by four golden lions. It is also meant to serve military functions.
The arch is to stand on the Potomac, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. It is unclear who will pay for it or how much it will cost, though some estimates put the price at as much as $100 million.
Source: PAP
