Free admission, Census info at Memphis museum on MLK day

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Civil Rights Museum will be providing free admission and information about voting and the upcoming U.S. Census during a celebration of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday in Memphis, Tennessee.

The museum hosts several events each year on the King holiday, which takes place Monday. The museum is located on the grounds of the former Lorraine Motel, where King was killed while standing on a balcony on April 4, 1968.

The museum is working with organizations to offer information about voter education, empowerment and registration on Monday. Museum officials note that 2020 is not only a presidential election year, but also the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment granting voting rights to freedmen and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote.

Agencies and community groups also will be providing information about this year’s Census, including privacy protections, the impact on congressional and state legislative district boundaries, and how government funds are handed out for programs that affect communities.

A blood donation drive, canned food donations, musical performances and arts and crafts stations are among the other activities taking place at the museum on the holiday. Visitors can tour the museum from 8. a.m. to 6 pm.

Meanwhile, volunteers will be working on community cleanup and beautification projects in several Memphis neighbourhoods.