Zinke Made the Remark at the National Monument Designation of a Historical Site for African American Soldiers

Nicholasville, KY -- The Huffington Post reports that scandal-plagued Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, while speaking at a monument designation for Camp Nelson -- a historical site for African American soldiers during the Civil War -- likened Confederate General Robert E. Lee to civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, insinuating they were on a march together toward “a more perfect union.” These comments follow a series of racially charged remarks from Zinke, including his suggestion that “diversity isn’t important,” and making a racially charged remark to a member of Congress.

Yesterday, it was reported that one of the many investigations into Zinke by the Interior’s Inspector General has been referred to the Department of Justice, indicating Zinke could be facing criminal charges.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

“Dr. Martin Luther King gave his life to creating a more just and equitable world, while Robert E. Lee fought to protect white supremacy and the enslavement of African Americans in this country. You could not have two more diametrically opposed individuals, yet Ryan Zinke is clearly incapable of telling the difference. The fact that he made this ignorant comparison at a site commemorating the service and sacrifice of African American soldiers who were fighting for their freedom and opposing Lee compounds Zinke’s disgusting remarks.

“Ryan Zinke’s ignorant and racist understanding of history is as deeply flawed as his understanding of the laws he abuses to enrich himself every day while in power. He threatened to spoil this historically significant commemoration with his disgusting rhetoric, and has again proven he should have no place in any Administration.”

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