The Kennedy family has filed a motion in a U.S. court to halt former President Donald Trump’s proposal to erect an arch that would stand near the John F. Kennedy gravesite, a move the family says would obscure the president’s Eternal Flame and the nearby family burial plots.
Trump’s plan calls for a large commemorative arch to be constructed on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, close to the site where President Kennedy’s remains lie. Critics argue that the structure would physically block the view of the Eternal Flame, a symbolic tribute that has burned continuously since 1963.
Members of the Kennedy dynasty contend that the proposed arch would not only diminish the solemnity of the memorial but also violate federal regulations governing monuments at the historic cemetery. Their motion describes the project as “unlawful” and seeks an injunction to prevent any construction from proceeding.
The family’s legal action joins other lawsuits that have been filed to challenge Trump’s arch plan, citing concerns over preservation of the historic landscape and respect for the late president’s legacy. The lawsuits argue that any new structure must undergo rigorous review before being allowed on cemetery grounds.
The Eternal Flame marks the final resting place of President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, at Arlington National Cemetery, a site visited by millions each year. Preservation of the flame and surrounding gravesites has long been a priority for both the National Park Service and the Kennedy family, who view the proposed arch as a threat to that legacy.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>