Local

MLK Historic Site Affected by Federal Shutdown

October 3rd, 2013

It’s day three of a federal government shutdown and some are starting to feel the effects in Atlanta. If you want to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood you’re out of luck. The site is closed during the shutdown because it’s run by the National Park Service.

Those visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site found locked doors and signs saying the site was closed as a result of the shutdown. North Carolina resident Charmma Veney was among those hoping to see the site and was surprised to learn it wasn’t open.

“I’ve never been here before, and I’m out here wanting to take pictures to show my kids and everything, and now I have to go home and be like they actually closed this down. I don’t know why they would do this.”

Veney was able to go inside the King Center which is right near the historic site, because it’s privately run. But she had been hoping to tour the site’s visitor center and historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where King preached many of his sermons. Both were closed due to the shutdown.

“Why is it that I can’t see this just because they decide to shutdown the government? Why shutdown the government, really? Take it from the state parks, shut it down. I’m sorry this upsets me.“

Up the street, 24-year-old Atlanta resident David Baron and his friend Will Julian from Connecticut peer into a tiny window near the kitchen in King’s birth home. Both were trying to catch a glimpse of the home because they were unable to tour it, because it was also closed due to the shutdown. It’s something Baron says is unfortunate.

“I was most excited about showing him something in my city I’m most proud of and it was disappointing for me to not be able to take him through all of it and not give him the experience.”

Many visitors hope the shutdown won’t last too long and that they’re able to visit the historic site sometime again when it’s open.