Trump Calls Anti-Racism Protests a "Campaign to Erase History"

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota, on the 3rd (local time) for the Independence Day event. The "Great Faces" of Mount Rushmore feature the carved faces of four former presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 3rd (local time), a day before Independence Day, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized protesters against racial discrimination, saying they are "conducting a ruthless campaign to erase history."

President Trump made the remarks during a fireworks event held at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota that evening, stating, "This campaign is openly attacking the heritage of everyone at Mount Rushmore," according to the Associated Press.

Mount Rushmore is famous for its gigantic sculptures of four former U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Expressing displeasure at the movement to remove statues and monuments intended to honor "American heroes," President Trump criticized, "(Politically left-leaning forces) are slandering our heroes, erasing our values, and indoctrinating our children."

He added, "We will not be afraid, we will not lose our dignity, and we will not be intimidated by bad and evil people," and said, "We will not let them take away all of America's values, history, and culture."

In his speech that day, President Trump introduced plans to sign an executive order to establish a national park honoring the "greatest Americans," like the former presidents carved into Mount Rushmore.

Most of the approximately 7,500 people gathered at the event site were not wearing masks.

Before President Trump arrived at Mount Rushmore, over 100 indigenous people blocked nearby roads, holding signs with phrases such as "You are on stolen land" and "End white supremacy." About 15 of them were arrested by police during the protest.