Third Circuit denies rehearing in Philadelphia's fight over President's House slavery exhibit

Well, back here, the city of Philadelphia now facing an uphill battle to restore the panels showing the history of slavery at the historic president's house on Independence Mall. An appeals court recently denied the city's petition for a new hearing on the matter. Action reporter John Paul live at that site with an update on the case tonight and where it goes from here. John. Yeah. Now, Rick, I want to be clear about something here. The Third Circuit didn't rule on the merits of this case. This is a little more procedural, but either way, it is another blow to the city's quest to have the original panels back up. Another legal setback tonight for the city of Philadelphia in the ongoing fight with the federal government over the slavery exhibit at the president's house. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request for a rehearing after the court ruled it didn't have jurisdiction to review most of what the National Park Service did. The city filed a lawsuit after the Trump administration directed the National Park Service to take down panels that detail the stories of nine people enslaved at the president's house. That was on January 22nd. Initially, the city won and a judge ordered that the panels be reinstalled. But after more legal wrangling, the panels were finally replaced entirely to what we see here today. There's nothing historically inaccurate of what's up here, so there's nothing wrong with what they've done. It's just muting kind of that internal tension that was so fundamental to the opening of our United States. Peggy Compton volunteers with Old City Remembers. She reads what was on those removed panels out loud for visitors to hear. She's upset to learn the court denied the rehearing, but vows to continue spreading the message. As for the city, if they want to continue the legal fight, they would have to petition the Supreme Court. I'd prefer not to see a showdown if we didn't have to. I'd prefer to see maybe a change in the administration where we're more willing to look at both sides of this issue. Now, Caroline, the city still has one count of their lawsuit still pending in court. There are other suits pending as well. And also, the city says they are keeping all of their options on the table at this point. Live tonight in Old City, John Paul, Channel 6 Action News. Caroline? This, of course, is a story we will continue to follow. John, thank you.