The leadership of the Society of Ohio Archivists are deeply alarmed by many recent actions taken by the U.S. federal government, including, but not limited to:

• the dismissal of Dr. Colleen J. Shogan as Archivist of the United States;
• the mass dismissal of federal employees, including at the National Archives and Records Administration and the National Park Service;
• the dismantling and attacking of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and work, including the erasure of transgender people from the Stonewall National Monument website;
• the deletion and alteration of government websites containing vital records and data;
• and the freezing of federal funds despite multiple court orders.

These actions undermine the invaluable work of archivists and cultural heritage workers across this nation and the state of Ohio, as well as the transparency, accountability, and integrity that are foundational to democratic governance.

SOA Council condemns these actions and the reckless nature with which they were undertaken, as they unnecessarily jeopardize the livelihood of dedicated professionals and damage our ability to preserve and make accessible the rich tapestries of our national, state, and local histories. We will continue to monitor this rapidly changing landscape, and will proactively work to provide support for the Ohio archival community in accordance with our core professional values.

As we move forward please feel free to contact the current SOA President Matt Francis with any suggestions, questions, or concerns and we encourage you to contact your federal representatives to make your voice heard.

United we stand.

Society of Ohio Archivists Council