Ruffalo told The Associated Press in a recent interview that Trump’s decision was a “slap in the face” to Native Americans. Last week, the president signed two proclamations to reduce the Bears Ears National Monument by nearly 85 percent and cut Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by almost half.
Trump’s declarations would replace the federally-protected lands with five smaller monuments, cutting them by 2 million acres. Several lawsuits have been filed against the president, challenging his cuts. There are fears drilling or mining might be authorized without the protections.
“Honestly, it’s disgusting,” Ruffalo said before he was honored at the Captain Planet Foundation annual gala on Friday in Atlanta.