Graceland Black Lives Matter protest leads to lawsuit
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Five people have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Memphis and Elvis Presley’s Graceland, saying they were discriminated against at a protest by a coalition associated with the Black Lives Matter movement during the annual vigil commemorating the singer’s death.
Graceland owner, Elvis Presley Enterprises, and the city are named in the complaint filed Wednesday in federal court.
Elvis Presley Enterprises issued a statement Thursday that did not directly address the lawsuit, but did say the tourist attraction has a history of being inclusive.
“For 34 years now, Graceland has welcomed over 20 million visitors. They have come to celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley from nearly every country on earth, and they have all been welcomed without incident,” the statement said. “Graceland is proud of its world-wide reputation for inclusion and hospitality as it welcomes the next 20 million visitors.”