AG Ferguson saves the archives

Atty General Bob Ferguson
saved the National Archives 
from leaving Seattle

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Friday morning, February 12, 2021 that a federal judge blocked the sale and closure of the National Archives facility in Seattle.

"Our coalition of regional tribes, community organizations, the City of Seattle and the State of Oregon stopped the federal government's unlawful plan to sell the Archives and scatter the DNA of our region thousands of miles away.

"This is a major victory for tribes, racial equity, our history, good government, and the rule of law.

“This victory preserves our ability to physically connect to our history by visiting the Archives and accessing the un-digitized records that are deeply personal to so many. 

"The federal government callously ignored deep concerns raised by the decision to ship these records to California and Missouri, including issues related to racial equity, tribal relations, conservation, good government, and the rule of law. 

"The judge just did what these federal agencies should have done – consider the facility’s importance to our region and apply the law.”

Assistant Attorneys General Lauryn Fraas and Kristin Beneski are handling this case for Washington.