Jeff Amy, The Associated PressNAACP President Derrick Johnson, right, speaks with Dr. Robert Smith, former president of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, after a speech Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, denouncing the visit of President Donald Trump in Jackson, Miss., for the opening of twin history and civil rights museums marking Mississippi's bicentennial.
Rogelio V. Solis, The Associated PressChristina Berry of Mendenhall, Miss., reviews one of several monoliths listing the names, dates and rationale for the lynching of Mississippi African-American residents as she tours the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 in Jackson, Miss. This facility and its sister museum, the Museum of Mississippi History were open together on Saturday.
Rogelio V. Solis, The Associated PressGov. Phil Bryant, right, speaks of the guidance of former Gov. William Winter, seated center, in spearheading the establishment of the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, as Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, left, and Myrlie Evers, widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, second from left and the First Lady Deborah Bryant, seated right, listen during the grand opening ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Jackson, Miss.
Jeff Amy, The Associated PressKeller White of Jackson, Miss., protests Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, against the visit of President Donald Trump in Jackson, Miss.
Susan Walsh, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.
Rogelio V. Solis, The Associated PressMyrlie Evers, center, civil rights activist and widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, is escorted to the entrance of the two museums, the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Jackson, Miss., following opening ceremonies.
Rogelio V. Solis, The Associated PressVarious current and past public officials join Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, second from right, and Myrlie Evers, center, civil rights activist and widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, as they cut open the oversized ribbon symbolizing the opening of the two museums, the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Jackson, Miss.
Susan Walsh, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump, left, gets a tour of the newly-opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, watches at right.
Susan Walsh, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump, center, listens to Museum Division Director Lucy Allen, right, during a tour of the newly opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, left, joins the president on the tour.
Rogelio V. Solis, The Associated PressBrittany Brent of Jackson, wears a Confederate battle flag sticker on her mouth as part of a silent protest to the current Mississippi state flag, on which it rests prominently, during the grand opening ceremony for the two museums, the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Jackson, Miss. A small group of protestors wore the stickers and stood silently holding an alternative flag during the program.
Rogelio V. Solis, The Associated PressCivil rights activist and widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, Myrlie Evers speaks at the grand opening ceremony for the two museums, the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in Jackson, Miss. She said if the state can rise to the occasion, then "the rest of the country should be able to do the same thing."
Susan Walsh, The Associated PressPresident Donald Trump, left, listens as Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, right, shows him the Hinds County Jail on display at the newly-opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.
Jeff Amy, The Associated Press
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NAACP President Derrick Johnson, right, speaks with Dr. Robert Smith, former president of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, after a speech Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, denouncing the visit of President Donald Trump in Jackson, Miss., for the opening of twin history and civil rights museums marking Mississippi's bicentennial.
ExpandBy Darlene Superville | The Associated Press
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
JACKSON, Miss. — President Donald Trump has honored figures of civil rights movement, some famous, some not.
But his tour of the new Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and adjacent Museum of Mississippi in Jackson drew protests Saturday. At issue is a debate over his commitment to the legacy of the civil rights movement.
Rep. John Lewis, a leader of the civil rights movement, called Trump’s visit an insult. The White House accused Lewis and others of injecting politics into a moment that could have brought people together.
Trump spent about 30 minutes at the museums, gave a 10-minute speech to select guests inside and flew back to his Florida estate, skipping the public schedule for the dedication ceremony held outside.










