Black activists fought for slavery exhibits 24 years ago. The fight returned under Trump

This story, which I pitched, photographed, and reported on for NBC News, documents the removal of the slavery exhibition, The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation, and focuses on the Black activists who fought for its placement at the President’s House in Philadelphia in 2002 and are fighting for its restoration in 2026.

‘The National Park Service removed several panels from the President’s House in Philadelphia, citing a March 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump to prohibit exhibitions or programs at federal sites based on race.

“We battled for eight solid years the grand opening of the first slavery memorial of its kind on federal property in the history of the United States of America,” attorney and activist Michael Coard told NBC News. “What started me to do this was anger and rage and outrage.”

The movement began in 2002 when the park service and the city of Philadelphia announced the Liberty Bell would move from a pavilion facing Independence Hall to 6th Street and Market Street, the same location of George Washington’s executive residence where he enslaved at least nine people, including children.

Last week, more than 200 activists, residents and supporters protested the panels’ recent removal.

“One, we’re demanding restoration — put the 34 interpretive panels back where they were,” said Coard. “Two, we’re demanding enhancement, which means to expand this President’s House slave memorial site. And number three, we’re seeking replication. We know that Black people have contributed mightily in every state in the country and maybe even every city in the country, so we want something like this on any federal property throughout the United States where Black folks were enslaved.’”

Mijuel K. Johnson, member of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC,) poses for a portrait following a rally held by ATAC at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Signage is placed by an activist where the installation "The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation" during of a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Gerry James, Deputy Campaign Director of Outdoors For All for the Sierra Club, poses for a portrait following a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

People spend time viewing The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation is pictured at The President's House Site ahead of it’s removal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 18, 2025.

Activists holds a sign during a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A torn piece of paper placed where the installation "The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation" is pictured at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A drawing of former President George Washington is pictured where the installation "The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation" at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

An activist holds a sign during a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

An activist holds a sign during a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 10, 2026.

Dianne Thomas touches the name of "Oney Judge" one of the names of the nine enslaved people who lived and worked at the President's House under former President George Washington carved into a wall at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Signage placed where the installation "The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation" is pictured at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Signage for Independence National Historical Park is covered in snow at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Michael Coard, founder of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC,) poses for a portrait following a rally held by ATAC at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 10, 2026.

An activist poses for a photo while holding a sign ahead of a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Signage is pictured following a rally held by Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) at the President's House Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.