Trump ignores protesters and boycotts as he calls for 'peace and equality' at opening of Mississippi civil rights museum but races back to Air Force One after eight minute speech
- President Trump spoke briefly at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson on Saturday morning
- His visit was shrouded in criticism from local civil rights leaders and lawmakers who dislike his policies
- They boycotted the ceremony because he was attending and held their own event in another place
- Protesters also descended on the streets and some wore Confederate flags taped over their mouths
- Trump was unperturbed by their absence and gave a calm speech after a private tour of the museum
- He however left the event straight afterwards and went back to Air Force One to return to Florida
- The president will spend the night at Mar-a-Lago before traveling back to the White House on Sunday
President Trump paid a flying visit to Mississippi on Saturday to open a civil rights museum which critics boycotted because of his attendance. He spent less than two hours in the state before racing back to Air Force One to fly to Mar-a-Lago.
The president flew in to Jackson from Florida, where he spent the night on Friday, at around 11.20am.
He then went straight to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Mississippi State History Museum where, after a swift, private tour, he gave a brief and unremarkable speech before leaving.
Predictably, he congratulated the state's governor Phil Bryant and paid homage to the people who the museum honors.
President Trump spoke at the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson on Saturday morning despite boycotts from local black leaders who dropped out when they found out he was going
He made no mention of the absence of iconic civil rights leader John Lewis who earlier in the week announced he would not be attending because Trump was on the bill.
Nor did he speak of the NAACP which held a separate event in the city to distance themselves from the president.
'We're here today to celebrate the opening of two really extraordinary museums.
'These museums are labours of love. Love for Mississippi, love for your nation, love for God given dignity written in to every human soul.
'These buildings embody the hope that has lived in the hearts of every American for generations.
'We want our country to be a place where every child from every background can grow up free from fear, innocent of hatred and surrounded by love, opportunity and hope,' said Trump.
With just one reference to the 'great success' he has had in Mississippi, the president continued: 'This is an incredible tribute not only to the state of Mississippi, this is a tribute to our nation at the highest level.'
Trump described the two museums being opened as 'really extraordinary' and said they represented the 'hope' the country has for 'peace, equality and freedom'
President Trump greets Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant after his speech at the museum on Saturday morning
Before taking the stage, the president was given a private tour of the museum. His visit was controversial and stopped local groups from attending
President Trump was solemn and sincere during the tour, listening intently as a museum representative took him round
Trump waits to be shown to the stage at the Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, after a tour
He arrived in Mississippi shortly after 11am after jetting in on Air Force One from Florida, where he spent the night at his Mar-a-Lago home after a rally in Pensacola
Charles Evers, the brother of slain civil rights hero Medgar Evers, was on site to greet the president when he arrived. He did not follow the same accord of other leaders of the movement who said Trump's presence was an 'insult' to their mission
Over and out: After his eight minute speech at the museum, Trump was whisked straight back to the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers Airport to be flown back to Florida. He will return to Washington on Sunday
Rep. John Lewis and Rep. and Rep. Bennie Thompson both refused to attend the event. They said Trump's policies were 'hurtful' to the civil rights movement
The event was shadowed by the absence of Lewis and Bennie Thompson, the Dem. Rep. for Mississippi's 2nd District.
Earlier in the week, the pair announced that they would not attend while Trump, whose policies they said were 'hurtful', was scheduled to appear.
They issued a joint statement which read:
'President Trump's attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in the 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 NFL 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.
'After President Trump departs, we encourage all Mississippians and Americans to visit this historic civil rights museum.'
Others boycotted the event because of the president's continued support of Alabama senate hopeful Roy Moore, an alleged sexual abuser who said America was at its greatest in times of slavery.
A protester wears a Confederate flag sticker over her mouth in a sign of protest during Trump's visit to Jackson
Another Black Lives Matters protester in the group which formed outside the museum. Civil rights leaders said Trump's participation in the event was hurtful to their movement
A line of protesters outside the museum which local black lawmakers refused to attend on Saturday because of Trump
A female protester takes a selfie with her middle finger faced towards the museum with Trump inside
Across town: The NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) held its own event elsewhere in Jackson in protest of the president's visit
Protesters braved the uncharacteristically cold day and lined the road the president's motorcade took with signs
Snow melts around a protester in Jackson, Mississippi, as the president prepares to speak at the city's newly opened Civil Rights Museum
Most watched News videos
- Donald Trump uses two hands to drink water from glass
- ISIS claims it has hacked US Army sites in new propaganda video
- Sheriff reveals horrifying details about woman mauled by dogs
- F***ing joke? Paula Radcliffe's husband on Mo Farah's SPOTY win
- Saudi air forces intercept ballistic missiles fired by Yemen rebels
- Woman brings BABY into out-of-control brawl at Florida mall
- Terrifying moment plane crashes at airshow in the Russian Arctic
- 'Several people killed' after Amtrak train derails near Seattle
- Adorable video of husky dog nuzzling up to newborn baby
- Fire rages from car after it exploded with driver stuck inside
- Thousands turn out to see criminals sentenced and executed
- Shocking footage shows fire breaking out at Cameron House, Scotland
- Wife is covered in bruises so husband could degrade her...
- Ferne McCann's acid attacker ex-lover WINKS as he is...
- Queen appoints Prince Harry to take over from his...
- Transgender model who was sacked by L’Oreal over race row...
- Boy, 14, dies from a cobra bite after his pet snake bit...
- Indiana pastor remarries after his first wife was...
- Parents pull their children out of Connecticut high...
- 'Beautiful' mother-of-two and her scientist boyfriend who...
- PIERS MORGAN: She might look better doing it but...
- Hollywood's first major sex scandal: 'Prince of silent...
- 'Christmas terror plot foiled': Police kick door off its...
- Ex-nurse, 27, who pretended to be a man to pursue online...
- Britain's FILTHIEST house: Revolting scene including...
- Turkish Islamic preacher says men without beards cause...
- 'Several Americans among 12 killed' after a bus carrying...
- Is this Britain's first private house SWAP? Downsizing...
- Moment Yemen rebels launch ballistic missile that was...
- Thought you knew the Tube map? Not any more - THIS is how...
The tolerant left once again showing how really int...
by Walker1 783