Lewis and Thompson to Skip Civil Rights Museum Opening

It’s official. Yesterday, civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) -- whose district is next door to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum -- issued a joint statement saying that they would not attend nor participate in the opening because a certain someone is going there. "President Trump’s attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum. The struggles represented in this museum exemplify the truth of what really happened in Mississippi. President Trump’s disparaging comments about women, the disabled, immigrants, and National Football League players disrespect the efforts of Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry, Medgar Evers, Robert Clark, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and countless others who have given their all for Mississippi to be a better place." The Congressmen are encouraging people to visit the museum after Trump departs. After the White House’s comments that it was “unfortunate” that Lewis and Thompson would not attend the event and “wouldn't join the president in honoring the incredible sacrifice rights leaders made,” Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) tweeted, “It’s laughable that the @WhiteHouse is criticizing @repjohnlewis & Rep. @BennieGThompson for not attending the opening of a civil rights museum that honors the sacrifice of ...wait... John Lewis, Bennie Thompson & many others" and “This White House is not serious about civil rights.” More here.