May 4, 1970, was a sunny day in northeast Ohio, the nice weather contrasting with the growing tension on the Kent State University campus. As hundreds of students and others protested the war in Vietnam and Cambodia, three Ohio National Guard companies ordered the crowd to disperse. Suddenly shots rang out, and soon four students lay dead on the pavement, with nine others injured.
The massacre, and the searing photograph of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the body of Jeffrey Miller, played a pivotal role in shaping the public’s attitudes towards the war itself, not to mention towards government authority, protest and the ways in which a free country navigates its differences. But for the families of the victims, those concerns surely mattered far less than the cruel loss of a loved one.
The context, conditions, and details of what transpired in Minneapolis this weekend differ from the Kent State shooting. But in some respects the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, following the killing of Renee Good two weeks earlier, raise the same questions as those in Ohio nearly 50 years ago. Whether the scenes from the Twin Cities mark a turning point in the debate over immigration and the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign is unclear. But what is certain is that the images of unrest and violence we’ve seen the past few weeks are not likely to leave us anytime soon.
The ripples from the shooting in Minneapolis already are reaching Washington, where Democratic outrage at the administration’s actions are threatening to derail congressional attempts to avoid another government shutdown.
Last week, the House passed the last of the 12 appropriations bills that fund the federal government in fiscal year 2026; they now await action in the Senate. But because the package includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, many Senate Democrats have now said they will oppose the package. Since 60 votes are needed to move ahead on any appropriations bill, the Republican majority needs at least seven Democrats to advance it.
If it does not pass by January 30, and if Congress does not pass a short-term continuing resolution than several agencies, including the Departments of Labor, HHS, Education, Transportation and HUD – would need to shutter their doors. (Other departments, including Interior, have received full-year appropriations and would not be affected.)
With even some Senate Republicans growing concerned about the administration’s tactics on immigration, it is possible that the bill could be changed to include reforms to ICE. But it’s far from certain that those changes would be enough for Democrats, many of whom are heeding their base’s call to “abolish ICE.”
ACRA Expresses Concern with Army Program Comment
ACRA has expressed serious concerns with the U.S. Army’s proposed Program Comment for Army Warfighting Readiness and Associated Infrastructure, which the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is currently considering.
According to the Army, the program comment “represents a transformative approach to historic property management, intended to strategically align Section 106 procedures with the imperative of the Army’s warfighting readiness activities.”
In its comments, ACRA expressed concern about the broad scope of the program comment and the short comment time that was provided to the public. The program comment’s scope ”goes well beyond previous program comments, and the number of structures covered dwarfs those of other Army program comments. Such an expansive program comment demands there be more robust public engagement and study before approval.”
ACRA noted that the proposed program comment did make some improvements over the Army’s original program comment plan issued last summer. In particular, the proposed comment would require Army installations to seek and incorporate Indigenous Knowledge, and it would require installations to report yearly on any projects for which they used the program comment; both were recommendations ACRA made in its 2025 comments to the Army.
The ACHP is expected to decide on the program comment by mid-February.
The 2026 Outlook: Join Us on February 11
What does 2026 have in store for CRM on Capitol Hill? What moves are federal agencies making that impact preservation?
Find out on Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00pm EST for the 2026 Washington Outlook for CRM. This webinar will explore the current legislative and regulatory environment, the outlook for the elections, and how ACRA is speaking up for the industry.
You will also learn how to make a direct impact on the issues you care about the most. From engaging policymakers to communicating your message effectively, you will come away with the skills you need for advocating for your business, your family, and your community.
This webinar is FREE for ACRA members and available to non-members for $20. Spaces are limited – register NOW to reserve your spot!
Make Your Voice Heard at Preservation Advocacy Week
With Congress beginning to exert more independence and looking to debate permitting reform and other proposals that could affect CRM, it’s more important than ever that ACRA members meet with their elected representatives.
By joining forces with Preservation Action at the 2026 National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week, ACRA members can join their preservation colleagues in speaking with a unified voice on Capitol Hill. The event also feature variety of preservation and policy professionals discussing issues affecting historic preservation, exclusive local tours, networking opportunities and more.
We hope that you and other members of your firm can make plans to join us in March to make a difference for CRM. Learn more and register today here!