FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 6, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Werkheiser | (703) 408-2002 | greg@culturalheritagepartners.com
MARTIN LUTHER KING III, TRIBAL LEADERS, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO RALLY AT U.S. CAPITOL AGAINST HISTORIC PRESERVATION ROLLBACK
106 Strong coalition of more than 1,200 organizations to gather Monday ahead of anticipated Senate vote on S. 5653
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 6, 2026 — Martin Luther King III, Tribal leaders, members of Congress, and leaders of national preservation, architecture, archaeology, museum, and civil rights organizations will gather on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, November 9, to oppose sweeping changes to federal historic preservation law proposed in Title III of S. 5653, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA). The rally begins at 12:30 p.m., ahead of an anticipated Senate cloture vote later that afternoon.
The event, “106 Strong: The Rally for History, Culture, and Sovereignty,” is organized by a coalition of more than 1,200 Tribal Nations and organizations representing over 10 million Americans. The coalition is urging Congress to defeat the bill: Title III will gut the National Historic Preservation Act’s Section 106, devastating protections for cherished places, silencing the public, and assaulting the sovereignty of Tribal Nations.
“For sixty years, Section 106 has given America’s communities and Tribal Nations a voice before the federal government damages or destroys places that hold our history,” said Greg Werkheiser, a leader of 106 Strong and attorney at Cultural Heritage Partners. “This bill silences those voices. We are gathering at the Capitol to show Congress just how broad—and resolute—the opposition is.”
The coalition warns that for projects ranging from data centers to strip mines to President Trump’s DC projects, Title III eliminates public consultation, excludes numerous projects and many types of harm from review, and blocks citizens’ ability to challenge unlawful actions by federal agencies and industry developers. The bill’s sponsors argue that its permitting changes would accelerate development; coalition members contend that removing public consultation and narrowing review will generate more conflict, uncertainty, and delays.
Confirmed participants include Martin Luther King III; Tribal leaders including Pueblo Governors, Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman, and Rappahannock Chief Anne Richardson; Representatives Melanie Stansbury, Rashida Tlaib, and Adelita Grijalva; actress and advocate Lynda Carter; and leaders of the American Institute of Architects, American Society of Landscape Architects, Association of African American Museums, Archaeological Institute of America, and other national organizations. Additional speakers will be announced.
EVENT AND MEDIA DETAILS
Monday, November 9 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | West Front Lawn, U.S. Capitol (between the Capitol and reflecting pool). Camera setup available after 11 a.m.; a camera riser and mult box are available by advance arrangement. Speakers will be available for interviews following their remarks, with Martin Luther King III’s media availability planned for approximately 2:20–3:00 p.m.
Rally information: https://www.106strong.com/nov-9-rally
Coalition: https://www.106strong.com
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