ST LOUIS, Mo. (AP) _ A state lawmaker is planning a do-over after a ribbon-cutting photo from the revitalized Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis included only white people.
Democratic Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., who is black, said Thursday on Facebook Live that the image wasn’t reflective of the city he represents. The photo sparked a backlash online.
The park was dedicated Tuesday, the culmination of a five-year, $380 million renovation. Included in the ribbon-cutting were Gov. Mike Parson and U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt.
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation apologized Wednesday for the lack of diversity. A foundation spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a question of whether black leaders were invited.
Franks’ do-over is scheduled for noon Friday. St. Louis is nearly 48 percent black.
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