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Backlash After Civil Rights Museum Denies Trump Request

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Credit: Valerie via Flickr

Greensboro's International Civil Rights Museum is receiving backlash after it refused a request last month by the Trump campaign. The museum is standing by its decision.

The civil rights landmark denied a request from the Trump campaign asking the museum to close for five hours on September 20th. The campaign wanted to record Trump's private tour of the facility by an outside guide.

In a statement, CEO John Swaine says the museum does not allow for, “un-vetted, unaccredited” presenters in the space. He also says it was not in a position “to serve as a backdrop to legitimize Mr. Trump's ideological positions.”

Since news of the interaction broke last week, the museum has received continued backlash, including threats and racial slurs.

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is housed in the F.W. Woolworth building, home to the 1960 lunch counter sit-in.

 

Bethany joined the staff of WFDD in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University and focused on Anglo-Irish writing. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming Assistant News Director, Bethany was a reporter and Associate Producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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