People gather at the Lorraine Motel to remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his last days fighting inequality at the Lorraine Motel. For the past 30 years, the cite has been the national civil rights museum, and visitors say they come here to reflect and celebrate his life.”

As Dr. King’s birthday is recognized as a national holiday, patrons gathered outside of the place where he was assassinated over fifty years ago. However, visitors say they did not come to mourn.

“It is very important to give back and to show him that we appreciate everything he’s done,” said Mariah Rhodes, Miss Tennessee State University.

And for some, coming to the national civil rights museum is the best way to celebrate.

“Especially at the civil rights museum. It’s the best way you can do it,” said Rhodes.

King, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, spent over a decade of his life fighting against inequality and racial discrimination in voting, employment, and education. As one of the leaders in the civil rights movement, he took a non-violent approach.

“Non-violence won, and that’s why I come to continue the legacy of non-violence,” said Michael Williams, a visitor of the Museum.

The legacy still lives on, and for one visitor, the holiday is a time to bring awareness to what Dr. King fought for.

“some of the privileges that we have now that we didn’t have back in the day or some things that we’re still fighting for, just to bring awareness to that,” said Dejah Beasley, Miss Fisk University.

The inside of the museum is closed because of the pandemic; however, that did not stop people from coming out to take pictures, reflect and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.