Public comment is now underway over a draft operations plan for Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Jackson, Miss.
Public comment, including three public meetings in the Jackson area next week, will be accepted on preliminary concepts to guide the monument's future operations and plans for upcoming activities, according to a March 17 National Park Service news release.
"This is an important time for the park as we prepare to mark the 60th anniversary of Medgar Evers' assassination and consider approaches to best convey how what happened in and around the Evers home impacted the city, state and country," Monument Superintendent Keena Graham said in the release. "We welcome the public’s input into the NPS’ effort to develop a preservation and operations plan that carefully regards the surrounding community while also creating a meaningful visitor experience."
Medgar Evers' assassination in the carport of his home June 12, 1963, was the first nationally significant leader of the American Civil Rights Movement to be murdered and was a catalyst for passage of the Civil Rights Act the following year, according to the NPS website. Myrlie Evers continues to promote racial equality and social justice.
Public comment on the monument's draft operations plan runs through June 30 and three public meetings are scheduled, according to the release. The first is 11 a.m. March 28 at Two Mississippi Museums, 222 North St., Jackson, while the second is 5 p.m. the same day at the Evers Home, 2332 Margaret W. Alexander Drive, Jackson. The latter meeting is scheduled outdoors at the adjacent Missouri Street lots and will be weather permitting.
The third public meeting is scheduled 11 a.m. March 29 at Medgar Evers Boulevard Public Library, 4215 Medgar Evers Blvd., Jackson, according to the release.
Written comments may be submitted online or postmarked by June 30 to be considered, while additional comment and publican engagement opportunities are expected over the course of the project, the release said.
Anyone who would like more information about the public comments, meetings and planning process may visit the project's page on the U.S. Department of the Interior's website.