U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia and Rep. Bennie Thompson's boycott of President Donald Trump's visit to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum spurred more protests when the president landed in the state. 

Thompson, who represents Mississippi, was scheduled to speak at the news conference at the Smith Robertson Museum where other leaders Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and NAACP President Derrick Johnson spoke out against Trump. This locale was a mile away from the new museum and the Museum of Mississippi History, according to The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger.

Around the same time, 100 protesters held demonstrations at the new site chanting “No Trump, no hate, no KKK in the USA.”   

“It is my appreciation for the Mississippi martyrs not here — the names both known and unknown — that will not allow me, that will not allow many of us standing here today to share a stage with a president who has not demonstrated a continuing commitment to civil rights,” Lumumba said.

Many of the protests were fueled by the revelation that Gov. Phil Bryant had invited Trump to the museums’ kickoff event while the state is still embroiled in a fight over the state's flag. 

La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO, of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation offered words of unity in her speech at the opening yesterday stating, "We acknowledge the histories of the people of Mississippi and the deep resolve to find common ground for the future – a future where communities of freedom, opportunity and justice will thrive."

However, Trump's actions and statements in recent months, as well as his rhetoric from the past, could not be forgotten. 

“Since Donald Trump has not shown up to learn about civil rights and make an apology for his wrongful accusation of the Central Park Five, since Donald Trump has not stood up for our civil rights (and) did not show up when we needed him to speak a word on behalf of blacks who experienced police brutality … he does not deserve to be in Jackson for the celebration of the civil rights museum opening,”Amos Brown, who sits on the NAACP board of directors, said.

Rep. Al Green of Texas believes that Trump's visit was a photo-op to repair his relationship with black Americans after a string of high-profile attacks on black celebrities and politicians. 

Donald trumpMississippi Civil Rights MuseumRep. John Lewis