WATCH LIVE: President Trump Delivers Remarks at Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Opening

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum today. His address will take place at 12:00 PM ET and the Opening Day Ceremony will begin at 11:30 AM ET.

Trump’s visit to the opening comes amid widespread criticism and boycotts. In a statement issued earlier this week, Reps. John Lewis (D-GA) — a civil rights icon — and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) announced that they would not attend the opening due to Trump’s appearance, citing his rhetoric and policies.

“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 two lawmakers did encourage Americans to visit the museum after Trump departed. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded to the boycott by the Democratic congressmen, stating that “it’s unfortunate that these members of Congress wouldn’t join the president in honoring the incredible sacrifice rights leaders made to right the injustices in our history.”

With the controversy brewing over Trump’s appearance, museum officials announced on Friday that besides making public remarks at the opening, the president would also tour the museum and then speak to those who had fought for civil rights in a private event.

Watch the video above, via the White House.

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